City on a Hill

7.3
201955m

Production

Logo for Pearl Street Films

In early 90s Boston, an African-American District Attorney comes in from Brooklyn advocating change and forms an unlikely alliance with a corrupt yet venerated FBI veteran invested in maintaining the status quo. Together they take on a family of armored car robbers from Charlestown in a case that grows to encompass and eventually upend Boston’s city-wide criminal justice system.

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: City On A Hill | Official Trailer 2 | SHOWTIME

City On A Hill | Official Trailer 2 | SHOWTIME

Thumbnail for video: City On A Hill Official Teaser | Kevin Bacon SHOWTIME Series

City On A Hill Official Teaser | Kevin Bacon SHOWTIME Series

Thumbnail for video: The Boston Miracle: BTS w/ Kevin Bacon & the Cast | City On A Hill | SHOWTIME

The Boston Miracle: BTS w/ Kevin Bacon & the Cast | City On A Hill | SHOWTIME

Seasons

10 Episodes • Premiered 2019

Idealistic Assistant DA Decourcy Ward and corrupt-yet-venerated FBI veteran Jackie Rohr come together in the early 1990s to take on a family of armored car robbers in a case that grows to subvert the entire criminal justice system of Boston.

Still image for City on a Hill season 1 episode 1: The Night Flynn Sent the Cops on the Ice

1. The Night Flynn Sent the Cops on the Ice

7.8

In early ‘90s Boston, racism is endemic and crime is widespread. Jackie Rohr, a renowned FBI agent whose methods are not exactly by the book, does not mind the status quo. But Decourcy Ward, the new Assistant District Attorney in town, wants to uproot the corrupt system. The two form an unlikely, and obligatory, alliance to take down a gang of armored truck robbers from Charlestown.

Still image for City on a Hill season 1 episode 2: What They Saw in Southie High

2. What They Saw in Southie High

8.2

After an eventful Sunday at church, Decourcy finds out he has a new powerful enemy in town — one that puts his wife Siobhan in an awkward position. Jackie is stirring up trouble in his own home, and his distrustful mother-in-law Rosa is onto him. Investigators Hank Signa and Rachel Behnam look into an unsolved missing persons case connected to the robbery in Revere. That could mean trouble for Frankie Ryan, who’s busy laundering his most recent loot and, with the help of his brother Jimmy, getting carried away in the process.

Still image for City on a Hill season 1 episode 3: If Only the Fool Would Persist in His Folly

3. If Only the Fool Would Persist in His Folly

8.2

Jackie searches for his absent informant as Jenny searches for purpose, revisiting her passion to become a teacher. Decourcy works up a plan to overcome the town’s infamous “Code of Silence” and get a few suspects to talk. Minogue is assigned a big case, but not the one he actually cares about. Jimmy skips town to visit his kids and finds that, even a thousand miles away, he’s not safe from his problems back home.

Still image for City on a Hill season 1 episode 4: The Wickedness of the Wicked Shall Be Upon Himself

4. The Wickedness of the Wicked Shall Be Upon Himself

6.7

Jackie strong-arms Jimmy to get a step closer to finding the presumably dead armored truck guards. Decourcy rattles a suspect called to testify before the Grand Jury. Siobhan learns something unsettling about a leader of the Coalition and worries it could jeopardize the future of the group. Kick’s nightmares continue as she senses her father might be in harm’s way.

Still image for City on a Hill season 1 episode 5: From Injustice Came the Way to Describe Justice

5. From Injustice Came the Way to Describe Justice

6.7

Jackie and Decourcy continue to hunt down the weapon connected to the armored truck robbery in Revere. Michaela Freda, a local reporter, gets a tip about a story that could lead her down a treacherous path. Despite the threat of a Grand Jury, Frankie considers what he must do to provide for his family. Pressure on Siobhan begins to mount. After another allegation is brought to her attention, she questions whether doing what is right is ultimately what is for the best.

Still image for City on a Hill season 1 episode 6: It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City

6. It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City

8.3

Decourcy is a step closer to connecting the stolen guns to the Revere robbery when an insider agrees to talk. Jenny is no longer able to ignore Jackie’s indiscretions after they show up on her doorstep. An unexpected rush to the hospital worsens money problems for the Ryan family and Reverend Fields discovers that his longstanding influence doesn’t make him invincible.

Still image for City on a Hill season 1 episode 7: There Are No F**king Sides

7. There Are No F**king Sides

7.9

With the gang’s arms dealer in custody, Jackie thinks he’s a step closer to glory. But Decourcy is the one in a position to negotiate and he’s considering cutting off the gun supply rather than going after the buyers. Jimmy and Frankie must find a new dealer as they prepare for their next job. Cathy and Jenny struggle to comfort their daughters who’ve undergone trauma. When Michaela falls into some trouble, Rachel decides to take her investigation into her own hands.

Still image for City on a Hill season 1 episode 8: High On The Looming Gallows Tree

8. High On The Looming Gallows Tree

8.1

Jackie celebrates a win in front of the cameras but, behind closed doors, he reaches a new low. A shining moment from Decourcy promises a potential future in politics, but any pride Siobhan feels for her husband is squandered by an unexpected betrayal. The Grand Jury reconvenes, and this time Sheik doesn’t get off easily. Thanks to Signa’s detective work, the Ryan family is now under the watchful eye of the Suffolk DA.

Still image for City on a Hill season 1 episode 9: The Deaf Sage of Pompeii

9. The Deaf Sage of Pompeii

8.5

When an unlikely source confides in Decourcy, the Massachusetts State Police hatch a plan that promises arrests without the help of the FBI. However, keeping out of the way is not exactly Jackie’s strong suit. The Genesis Coalition pitches a new strategy to curb Boston’s crime rate. Jenny opens up about her past to a sympathetic ear.

Still image for City on a Hill season 1 episode 10: Mayor Curley and The Last Hurrah

10. Mayor Curley and The Last Hurrah

8.4

Jackie celebrates another moment in the spotlight, though an unfamiliar pang of guilt leaves him reflecting on his legacy. Decourcy considers the best course of action to finally carry out justice for the murdered guards. Jimmy is desperate to weasel his way out of the mess he’s created, even if it means putting his brother’s future into question. Jenny faces what has been haunting her all these years. Season finale

Cast

Photo of Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon

Jackie Rohr

Photo of Aldis Hodge

Aldis Hodge

Decourcy Ward

Photo of Jill Hennessy

Jill Hennessy

Jenny Rohr

Photo of Lauren E. Banks

Lauren E. Banks

Siobhan Quays

Photo of Matthew Del Negro

Matthew Del Negro

Chris Caysen

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Reviews

M

mazal

7/10

Wow. Really disappointing. I was excited for this series for two promised attractions: "The Boston Miracle" of 1990s fame; and Kevin Bacon. There is nothing at all related to the Harvard based research and problem-oriented policing project (also known as Operation Ceasefire or Boston Gun Project) that reduced group youth related gun homicides by as much as 40% in large cities across America in the 1990s—and cleaning up corruption.

While I can never completely hate Kevin Bacon, his wit and talent are wasted in **_City on a Hill_**—although not completely unwatchable. The Jackie Rohr role has Bacon riding the anti-hero wave of so-called "golden age of television," ushered in by **_Breaking Bad's_** Walter White (Bryan Cranston). Yet most characters in _**City**_ are witless rehashes of old era television stereotypes, making Bacon's charmingly charmless Rohr comes off merely as an _**SNL**_ish cartoon sketch.

Btw, who is Chuck MacLean (creator)—he doesn't even rate a wikipedia page? _**City on a Hill**_ has all the hallmarks of the worst of Ben Affleck (story/producer).. which is a shame because one out of every ten Affleck projects is really gorgeous for all the right reasons. The other nine come across like they were made on a bender between dry outs.

In the end _**City on a Hill**_ is a middling crime serial with dumbed down talent.

M

mazal

7/10

_**Not "The Boston Miracle"**_

Wow. Really disappointing. I was excited for this series for two promised attractions: "The Boston Miracle" of 1990s fame; and Kevin Bacon. There is nothing at all related to the Harvard based research and problem-oriented policing project, also known as Operation Ceasefire or Boston Gun Project, that reduced group youth related gun homicides by as much as 40% in large cities across America in the 1990s-and cleaning up corruption.

While I can never completely hate Kevin Bacon, in City on a Hill his wit and talent are wasted, although not completely unwatchable. The Jackie Rohr role has Bacon riding the anti-hero wave of so-called "golden age of television" ushered in by Breaking Bad's Walter White (Bryan Cranston). Yet most characters in City are witless rehashes of old era television stereotypes, making Bacon's charmingly charmless Rohr comes off merely as an SNLish cartoon sketch.

Btw, who is Chuck MacLean (creator)-he doesn't even rate a wikipedia page? City on a Hill has all the hallmarks of the worst of Ben Affleck (story/producer).. which is a shame because one out of every ten Affleck projects is really gorgeous for all the right reasons. The other nine come across like they were made on a bender between dry outs.

In the end City on a Hill is just a middling crime serial with dumbed down talent.

You've reached the end.