''The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire'' is an American

drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...

television series created by David E. Kelley that aired on CBS from September 24 to October 22, 2003. The show offers the typical quirkiness and eccentric humor that have become synonymous with David E. Kelley's shows. ''The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire'' has been described as "'' Northern Exposure'' with middle-aged angst and populated with the sort of oddball supporting characters so typical of the Kelley oeuvre." The show was canceled after five episodes due to low ratings.

Plot

The show focuses on the families of three brothers in the fictional town of Poland,

New Hampshire New Hampshire ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec t ...

, one is a police chief, the other is a mayor, and the last one is out of work. Local heroes in their youth, they are now tackling grown-up problems such as the economy, their children's educations, and their families. As in most families, the brothers know they'll always have each other to help weather the storms of their changing lives. The show has been compared to '' Picket Fences'', another show by creator David E. Kelley.

Cast

* Randy Quaid as Hank Shaw, the police chief. * John Carroll Lynch as Garrett Shaw, the mayor of Poland, NH. * Chris Penn as Waylon Shaw, the brother down on his luck. * Mare Winningham as Dottie Shaw, wife of Hank. She does not enjoy living in Poland, NH. *

Elizabeth McGovern Elizabeth Lee McGovern (born July 18, 1961) is an American actress. She has received many awards and nominations, including a Screen Actors Guild Award, three Golden Globe Award nominations, and one Academy Award nomination. Born in Evanston ...

as Helen Shaw, wife of Garrett. * Ann Cusack as Julie Shaw, wife of Waylon. * Angela Goethals as Katie Shaw, daughter of Waylon and Julie. * Megan Henning as Monica Shaw, daughter of Garrett and Helen. * Cleo King as Francine Hill, a police officer in Poland who works with Hank. *

Jodi Benson Jodi Benson (née Marzorati; born October 10, 1961) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for providing the voice of Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Ariel in The Walt Disney Company, Disney's ''The Little Mermaid (1989 film), The Litt ...

as A Soloist of the Choir

Production

The pilot was filmed in Plymouth, New Hampshire in 2003, as were the exterior establishing shots and main title scenes. Filming of the series was then relocated to

Pasadena, California Pasadena ( ) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is the most populous city and the primary cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley. Old Pasadena is the city's original commerci ...

. Brian Haley was originally cast in the role of Waylon Shaw, but was replaced with Chris Penn after filming the pilot episode. Haley's scenes were reshot with Penn, but the pilot was eventually scrapped and never aired.

Episodes

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Brotherhood Of Poland, New Hampshire, The 2003 American television series debuts 2003 American television series endings 2000s American drama television series American English-language television shows Television shows set in New Hampshire Television series by 20th Century Fox Television Television series created by David E. Kelley Television series about families CBS television dramas