Billy Costigan

Grew Up… in an Irish gangster family. His uncle Jackie worked with Frank Costello, a big time mobster. But his father, William Costigan, says he’d “kill seven guys just to cut” Costello’s throat. Billy loved his family dearly, but was out on his own after his mother died.

Living… as a low-life mobster. Secretly, though, he’s working for an undercover police unit. Billy is inducted into the unit even before he graduates from the police academy.

Profession… undercover state police officer. By day, he appears to be just another henchman in Frank Costello’s army of Irish gangsters, but he’s been undercover for years. And after so much time amongst Boston’s grimiest criminals, it becomes hard for Billy to remember his identity as one of the good guys.

Interests… drugs. He uses valium to cope with the stresses of his double-life. He ends up seeing a state shrink, Madolyn, who finally caves in and gives him a prescription.

Relationship Status… interested in Madolyn. He feels like she is the only person he can talk to. He tells her, “I thought I was supposed to tell the truth here.”

Challenge… bringing down Costello from the inside. He says if he’s discovered, Costello will, “chop me up and feed me to the poor.” His neck is on the line, and he constantly has to act fast to save his cover.  

Personality… edgy, intense, and moody. Billy is a very sensitive man. His feelings only really come out when he admits to Madolyn, “I puked in a trash barrel on the way over here. I haven’t slept in weeks.”