As a quick overview, Gravesend is a series set in Brooklyn in the 1980’s. It follows a soldier in the Colezzo Crime Family named Benny Z, whom William plays. There is one season that was released on Amazon Prime and Tubi in April of 2020. The series held the number one spot on Amazon Prime for 6 weeks after its release, cultivating a loyal fanbase. Currently, Season 2 is in post-production; there are 9 completed episodes with the average run time of 45 minutes. Season 2 features notable talent including Chazz Palminteri, Fran Drescher, Andrew “Dice” Clay, Armand Assante, Martin Kove, William Forsythe, Sofia Milos, and Mario Cantone.
Gravesend Season 2: The production value is on point; with all scenes shot in Miami where season starts off, and then returns to Brooklyn as the story continues. We have incorporated all the beautiful ambiance of Miami, while showcasing the nitty gritty of the Brooklyn streets, and lifestyle. This season will bring you lots of excitement, danger, loyalty, and a sense of family values at its finest. Watch how the story unfolds for Benny Z, questions will be answered, this season will make the audience feel for Benny Z, Colezzo family, growth for the 5 families, rooting for the underdog, as we come full circle.
William DeMeo grew up in the Gravesend, Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn on West St. which is the name of his film production company, West Street Productions. His first appearance in a film was “A Bronx Tale” (1993), in which he was cast to be an extra, but instead had a speaking role.
DeMeo’s first producing stint was the independent feature film “One Deadly Road” (1998), which he wrote, produced and played the lead role in. The film was distributed overseas, aired on Pay-Per-View television and was distributed nationally on Home Video. DeMeo went on to write, produce, co-direct while playing the leading role in the feature film Wannabes (2000) which DeMeo won the Best Actor Award for his performance at the New York Independent International Film Festival. The film also won awards for Best Director and Best Supporting Actor at the festival.
In addition to the roles DeMeo has played as an actor in the films he has produced he has also appeared in numerous feature films as well as on national television shows and in a mini-series; DeMeo portrayed a young Carlo Gambino in “Boss of Bosses” (2001) and the character Al Pacino in “Analyze That” (2002). He was featured in Hackers (1995), played a role in the award-winning short, “I Am Woody” (2003), and appeared numerous times in the last three seasons of “The Sopranos” (1999) as one of Paulie Walnuts’ crew as Jason Molinaro. In “Once Upon A Time In Brooklyn” (2013) he portrays Bobby Baldano, the film also stars Armand Assante and was a Lionsgate Release.
The film “Back In The Day” (2016), was written and produced by DeMeo, he stars in the film opposite Alec Baldwin, Shannon Doherty, Danny Glover, Michael Madsen and boxer Mike Tyson. It was released in limited theaters, Netflix and on VOD.
DeMeo starred in the Gotti Movie where he portrayed Sammy “The Bull” Gravano, playing opposite John Travolta as well as the feature film “First Kill” opposite Bruce Willis and “Bare Knuckle Brawler” opposite Danny Trejo and Martin Kove.
DeMeo is the Creator, Writer, Director and stars in Gravesend Season 1, 2 1980’s series of events revolving around Benny Zerletta (William DeMeo), a Brooklyn based Italian-American, soldier in the Colezzo crime family. Season 2 stars an ensemble cast, William DeMeo, Chazz Palminteri, Andrew “Dice” Clay, Armand Assante, Fran Drescher, Martin Kove, William Forsythe, Sofia Milos, Mario Cantone.
West Street Production
One Deadly Road, Wannabes, Back In The Day, Cruising 86th Street, Gravesend Season 1 and 2
Michele Frantzeskos was born and raised in New York City, where she started in the entertainment industry over 20 years ago. Michele is an award winning Producer, Director, Writer, and Actress, best known for her film, The Right to Live (2017) awarded audience choice award, where she was a Writer, Director, and Producer, distributed and released worldwide on Amazon Prime. She has worked on projects including Just Be Yourself (2021), a short film, in which she was awarded best director. As a lifelong philanthropist, both The Right to Live and Just Be Yourself, were created to raise awareness for domestic, sexual violence, and mental health. Recognized for her work in the community and was garnered a proclamation for her work. Frantzeskos, also served as a Producer for Bare Knuckle Brawler (2019) starring Martin Kove, Danny Trejo, William DeMeo. Michele Produced an event that brought John Travolta back to Brooklyn on 86th Street (2018), where he filmed Saturday Night Fever where he received a proclamation, the celebration had 10,000 in attendance.
Michele Frantzeskos serves as the Producer for Gravesend Season 2 (2021-2022), works alongside Creator, Writer and Director William DeMeo; stars an ensemble cast William DeMeo, Chazz Palminteri, Andrew “Dice” Clay, Armand Assante, Fran Drescher, Martin Kove, William Forsythe, Sofia Milos, Mario Cantone.