TV: The Black Donnellys

[Zati]

This new show will be replacing Studio 60's time slot next Monday on NBC right after "Heroes" and I'm looking forward to it, although I still hope Studio 60 comes back soon. The pilot episode was great, and it reminded me of another gritty mob show that I like, "The Sopranos."

The ensemble cast includes Kirk Acevedo, Thomas Guiry, Billy Lush, Keith Nobbs, Michael Stahl-David, Jonathan Tucker and Olivia Wilde. The pilot was directed by Haggis, who also wrote the Academy Award-winning "Million Dollar Baby."

Academy Award winners Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco (both for "Crash") are the creators and executive producers of "The Black Donnellys," a gritty new drama series filmed in New York City and loosely based on Moresco's background. Haggis is also an Academy Award nominee for the original screenplay, "Letters From Iwo Jima."

The series follows the exploits of four young, working-class Irish-American brothers and their involvement in organized crime in New York City. The Donnelly brothers will do anything to protect each other against all odds.