The B.C. Cast of Characters:

Caesar Romano, Age 70, Long Island, NY:  A high ranking member of the Romano crime family, brother to the Don.  Married to Antoinette. Has two sons, Carmine, the elder, and Mario, the younger. Owner of Romano & Sons construction. Is beginning a “retired” lifestyle. After fifty years of marriage, Caesar is fulfilling his promise to his wife that he would leave the mafia after reaching this milestone. 

Antionette Romano, Age 69, Long Island, NY:  A homemaker that has raised two sons.  Fell deeply in love with Caesar at a young age, but has been torn for years after discovering her husband’s involvement in the mafia. A devout Catholic. She is a provider of sage advice for her children. 

Mario Romano, Age 45, Paramus, NJ: Owner of the Bella Noche Restaurant in Little Italy, NYC. Married to Maria. Has four children, Vincent, Theresa, Anthony, and Juliet.  Left the “family business” after Vincent was killed in the attack on the World Trade Center.  His decision is accepted by Caesar, but his brother Carmine pressures him to return. Blames himself for his son’s death.

Maria Romano, Age 45, Paramus, NJ:  A wife and homemaker.  Struggles with Vincent’s death, to the point where it has noticeably affected her marriage and her relationship to her children.  In addition to Mario’s decision to quit the Mafia after September 11^th, they both made a pact to stop smoking.  Unable to hold up her end, she continued to smoke heavily and has contracted lung cancer. 

Vincent Romano, Deceased at Age 18:  Decided against joining the construction company after high school against the wishes of his father.  Attended NYU night classes with aspirations of becoming a lawyer.  Delivered mail in the South Tower of the World Trade Center to pay for his education after his father refused to. 

Theresa Romano, Age 21, Los Angeles, CA:  A rebellious child. Left home to pursue an acting career after high school.  Blames Mario for Vincent’s death.  Hasn’t contacted home since leaving for L.A.

Anthony “Tony” Romano, Age 15, Paramus, NJ:  Sophomore at St. Thomas Academy in Paramus, NJ.  Good looking, intelligent, and athletic.  Aiming for the starting quarterback position on the JV team.  Best friends with John Starks.  Involved in a budding rivalry with his cousin Frankie.  Began pursuing a relationship with childhood friend, Jenny before she left on a vacation for the summer. 

Juliet Romano, Age 14, Paramus, NJ:  Freshmen at St. Thomas Academy.  Struggled with her weight as a child, and as a result has an extremely poor self-image.  Desperately in search of a boyfriend and acceptance by her peers.  Blossoming into an attractive young woman. 

Carmine Romano, Age 47, Ridgewood, NJ:  Poised to take over his father’s position in the Romano crime family, and take control of the construction company.  Jealous of Mario’s relationship with his father.  Doesn’t understand his father’s acceptance of Mario’s decision to leave the “family”, and as a result puts pressure on Mario to return. Married to Gina.  Place’s his son, Frankie on a pedestal and seeks to see him best Tony at everything. 

Gina Romano, Age 45, Ridgewood, NJ:  A homemaker that is actively involved in the community, as a means to gain recognition and power.  Extremely materialistic and pushes Carmine to maximize his gains from the family business by any means possible.  Struggled to conceive Frankie, and is envious of Maria’s four children.  Her envy is further fueled by the fact that she dated Mario as a teenager, who proceeded to dump her for Angela.  Began dating Carmine on the rebound, and secretly still harbors feelings for Mario. 

Francis “Frankie” Romano, Age 16, Ridgwood, NJ:  Sophomore at St. Thomas Academy.  A troublemaker and skirt chaser.  Not as good-looking or intelligent as Tony, but noticeably stronger.  Also vying for the starting quarterback position on the JV squad.  Carries his father’s grudge against Mario and places it as Tony.  Following the saying “Keep your enemies closer”, he feigns friendship with Tony in order to bring him down. 

Rev. Michael Carson, Age 46, Paramus, NJ:  Originally from Iowa. Recently hired pastor of Paramus Bible Church.  A widower of seven years, after losing his wife in a car accident.  Father to Amy.  Moving in across the street from Mario Romano. 

Amy Carson, Age 15, Paramus, NJ:  A gorgeous party girl.  Rebels against her father and wants little to do with the church.  Begins to fall for Tony.  Is pursued by both Tony and Frankie.

Timothy “Tim” Olsen, Age 44, Paramus, NJ:  A shrewd stock-trader.  Married to Beth, whom he is unfaithful to.  Father to Robert.  Next-door neighbor of Mario Romano.  Has ties to the Romano crime family. Once a devout Christian, he has strayed from his faith.  

Bethany “Beth” Olsen, Age 44, Paramus, NJ:  A devout Christian.  Assuming the position of Director of Women’s Ministries in lieu of a pastor’s wife. Has difficulty dealing with her suspicion of Tim’s infidelity, but loves him deeply nonetheless. 

Robert “Robbie” Olsen, Age 15, Paramus, NJ:  A childhood friend of both Tony and John, who drifted apart because of the perception that he was a “holy-roller”.  Very committed to his faith.  Extremely intelligent.  Attracted to Amy.  Assigned to keep tabs on Amy by her father.

Wayne Starks, Age 50, Paramus, NJ:  A local police officer.  A friend to Mario, but unaware of his connection to the Romano crime family. 

John Starks, Age 15, Paramus, NJ:  Best friends with Tony.  Named after the Knicks player.  Very quick-witted.  Has the reputation of a player.  Aspires to be a wide-receiver on the JV squad. 

Jennifer “Jenny” Vasquez, Age 15, Paramus, NJ:  Friend of Tony.  After years of having feelings for Tony, the two began pursuing a romantic relationship at the end of freshmen year.  Jenny has been away all summer on vacation to Florida with her family. 

Dr. Angela Brooks, Age 42, Ridgewood, NJ: The Romano’s family physician. Good friend of Maria.