FALCONE


On the set of Falcone with (from left to right) Joe Pistone, Eric Roberts, Jason Gedrick, Alan Steele, Sonny Marinelli, D.P. Steve Danyluk, Producer/Director Robert Singer, Titus Welliver and Juaqim DeAlmeida.


"Pilot"
Original airdate: April 4, 2000


"Tightrope"
Original airdate: April 4, 2000


"Windows"
Original airdate: April 5, 2000


"Double Exposure"
Original airdate: April 6, 2000


"Lealta"
Original airdate: April 7, 2000


"That's Amore"
Original airdate: April 8, 2000


"....But Not Forgotten"
Original airdate: April 10, 2000


"You Can't Always Get What You Want"
Original airdate: April 11, 2000


"Paying the Piper"
Original airdate: April 12, 2000





Back to Filmography page.



Deep under cover amid the deadly workings of the Mafia, Joe Falcone tries to infiltrate and expose the mob, while he also attempts to have some semblance of a home life in FALCONE, a thrilling mid-season series loosely based on the motion picture "Donnie Brasco," and the true-life exploits of daring FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone. Jason Gedrick stars as Joe Pistone, a.k.a Joe Falcone, in this stylishly shot television series.

From Academy Award-winning producer Mark Johnson ("Rain Man"), who brought "Donnie Brasco" to the screen, FALCONE canvasses the mesmerizing work of Joe Pistone in unflinching realism. Pistone, a 28-year veteran of the FBI, serves as a technical consultant for the series, as his 1990 book Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia, developed for television by Bobby Moresco and Ken Solarz, provides some of the episodic groundwork. In fact, in a unique storytelling device, tapes of his actual conversations with the mob during his time undercover were used within the scripts.

As the series unfolds, Joe Falcone becomes more deeply involved with the mob culture. He aligns himself with Santino "Sonny Boy" Napoli (Titus Welliver), a newly appointed "Captain" in the powerful Volonte crime family. Although Falcone proves himself to be an "earner" and particularly adept at obtaining information on enemies, he still faces doubt from Sonny's soldiers, the skeptical henchman James "Jimmy Suits" Urizzi (Sonny Marinelli) and Albert "Lucky" Fema (Lillo Brancato Jr.). As Falcone lives in a world of contradictions, he must prove his loyalty to the mob while simultaneously gathering as much information as possible to put the crime family away.

In his daring investigations, he reports to FBI boss Jules Weller (Robert John Burke), who doesn't like Falcone's relentless risk-taking, but is clearly impressed at his ability to live on the edge. Unfortunately, while the FBI tries to get the job done, they are often dealing with the intrusive New York D.A. Francesca Gold (Patty Lupone), who has her own designs on the Volonte family - and often disregards the FBI's investigation.

Though his professional work proves to be intrepid, Falcone returns home on periodic visits to learn that his family's life has gone on - with or without him. His tenuous relationship with his eldest daughter, Amanda (Delanie Fitzpatrick), is constantly being tested; and, with each departure to continue his work, he leaves his wife, Maggie (Amy Carlson), who is forced to raise the family alone.

Mafia stories have long held a fascination for audiences, but Executive Producer Mark Johnson explains that FALCONE goes further. "This is a character piece, about what makes people tick in a very bizarre relationship and situation. And, Joe's family life is absolutely instrumental, as important as his life and relationship with the mob."

In crafting plots involving Pistone's family, Johnson describes how he enjoys seeing Falcone in a sympathetic, even heroic, light and how that affects his relationship with his wife and kids. "Falcone loves them and they love him, but he can still disappear for six months at a time."

For the Mafia elements, Johnson further details how the series FALCONE is not concerned with laying out how a gangster society works, as much as the inherent stakes and relationships within the mob culture. "In that arena, this structure is more richly layered. We're more interested with an undercover FBI agent who lives a life that - with any misstep - could get him killed, as he strives to seek justice. So it boils down to the threat of this man getting found out and what might happen to him if he did."

Progressing from the established characters that were first seen in "Donnie Brasco," the series relies extensively on former FBI agent Pistone and his experiences; and, the producers and actors clearly share a fascination for his sacrifices and a passion for his tales. With respect and admiration, Johnson adds, "You hear Joe say, it was 'just a job, it's what I did.'" That assessment emphasizes the underlying honesty of Falcone's character. Executive Producer Robert Singer explains, "Every episode has a little win or a little loss, but it also has an emotional conclusion."

Mark Johnson, John Lee Hancock, Bobby Moresco, Ken Solarz and Robert Singer are the executive producers of FALCONE for Johnson/Hancock Productions in association with CBS Productions and Columbia TriStar Television. Technical Consultant is Joseph D. Pistone.