Global puts Black Donnellys in Monday line-up

The Black Donnellys has a new home on Global's Monday night line-up, starting Feb. 26. The gritty New York mob drama is expected to attract a cult following like that enjoyed by The Sopranos. With Paul Haggis' brand behind it, the series promises to shake up the net's prime-time schedule.
By Jesse Kohl
February 16, 2007

The debut of mob drama The Black Donnellys has been confirmed for the Monday night 10 pm ET time slot on Global Television, starting with its Feb. 26 premiere.

The much-anticipated jewel in NBC’s midseason line-up will go up against CTV’s CSI: Miami. Although Global hasn’t yet announced any changes, the net may decide to shake up its Monday-night schedule to accomodate The Black Donnellys. Currently, Global’s Monday night 8-10 pm line-up includes Prison Break, 24 and Heroes. (Click here for MiC‘s Jan. 25 look at where Monday night audiences were going).

The Black Donnellys has generated buzz because it’s created by Oscar-winning Crash creators Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco. The on-screen stars are Kirk Acevedo (Law & Order: Trial by Jury), Olivia Wilde (The O.C.) and Tom Guiry (Mystic River). A reworking of the venerable gangster concept, the series features four Irish brothers struggling in a gritty working-class New York neighbourhood. The show does not emulate The Sopranos, but it just might draw a migration of fans looking for something fresh.