"Brotherhood" (2006) TV series 2006-2008

Creator:

Blake Masters

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

The city has two sons. Only one can rule The Hill.

Plot:

Set in an Irish neighbourhood in Providence, the series reflects around two brothers on opposite sides of the law: one a gangster (Jason Isaacs) and the other a politician (Jason Clarke).

Plot Keywords:

Gangster | Irish | Politician | Violence | Profanity

Awards:

3 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Jason Isaacs	...	Michael Caffee (29 episodes, 2006-2008)
Jason Clarke	...	Tommy Caffee (29 episodes, 2006-2008)
Annabeth Gish	...	Eileen Caffee (29 episodes, 2006-2008)
Kevin Chapman	...	Freddie Cork / ... (29 episodes, 2006-2008)
Fiona C. Erickson	...	Mary Rose Caffee (26 episodes, 2006-2008)
Brian Scannell	...	Silent John (25 episodes, 2006-2008)
Fionnula Flanagan	...	Rose Caffee (22 episodes, 2006-2008)
Kerry O'Malley	...	Mary Kate Martinson / ... (22 episodes, 2006-2008)
Madison Garland	...	Lila Caffee / ... (21 episodes, 2006-2008)
Billy Smith	...	Kevin 'Moe' Reilly / ... (20 episodes, 2006-2008)
Ethan Embry	...	Declan Giggs / ... (19 episodes, 2006-2008)
Brian F. O'Byrne	...	Colin (18 episodes, 2007-2008)
Tina Benko	...	Kath Parry / ... (18 episodes, 2006-2008)
Kailey Gilbert	...	Noni Caffee (16 episodes, 2006-2008)
Matt Servitto	...	Representative Donatello (15 episodes, 2006-2008)
Frank Ridley	...	Terry Mulligan (15 episodes, 2006-2008)
John Fiore	...	Nozzoli / ... (14 episodes, 2006-2008)
Georgia Lyman	...	Cassie Giggs (13 episodes, 2006-2008)
Karl Bury	...	Alex Byrne / ... (13 episodes, 2006-2007)

Also Known As:

Down City (USA) (working title)
The Hill (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

60 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA (some episodes) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A | USA:TV-MA | Australia:M (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

Barrington, Rhode Island, USA

Company:

Gangtackle Productions

Trivia:

The series was inspired by real-life Irish American brothers from the Irish neighborhood of South Boston: James "Whitey" Bulger, Jr., a gangster who has been on the F.B.I.'s Most Wanted List for 10 years as a fugitive from justice, and Senator William Bulger (known as "Billy"), a powerful state politician who was President of the Massachusetts Senate and later president of the University of Massachusetts higher educational system.

Brotherhood Soars!!!

Guns. Knives. Bullets. Drug use. Sex. Graphic Violence. Profanity.

This is what you get in "Brotherhood", Showtime's original series focusing on Irish and Italian organized crime and politics in Providence, RI. The acting is incredible, all the way down to the minor cast members. Fine directors as well, including Nick Gomez - who has made several films (including "New Jersey Drive" and the excellent "Laws of Gravity") and directed episodes of HBO's "Oz" and "The Sopranos" as well.

I think what makes the show work is it's heart the creators put into it. Being from an Irish father and an Italian mother from Jersey City, I see a lot of authenticity in what's left of these two ethnic groups in America's ghettos portrayed. Perfect examples of this would be: Freddie Cork (Kevin Chapman), an Irish-American crime boss who is sober and committed to his wife and children; Declan Giggs, (played brilliantly by Ethan Embry) as a cop who just can't seem to decide which side of the law he's truly on; Alphonse Nazzoli (John Fiore), a hotheaded Italian mob capo who should have had a role on "The Sopranos".

No, it may not totally surpass "The Sopranos", but "Brotherhood" is nonetheless great for what it is, and has all of the gangster violence bloodhounds scream for. Highly recommended.