Neal Caffrey, a renowned
con artist,
forger, and
thief, is captured after a three-year game of cat and mouse with the
FBI, specifically
Special Agent Peter Burke, the head agent of the FBI’s
White Collar Crimes Unit at the
FBI's New York City field office. He is convicted and sentenced for four years in prison. With only three months left, he escapes to look for his girlfriend,
Kate.
Burke once again finds Caffrey and returns him to prison. This time, Caffrey proposes a deal to help Burke apprehend dangerous white collar criminals with the FBI. He will also give them full time consultation in exchange for his early release from prison as part of a
work-release program. After some hesitation, Burke agrees, resulting in Neal being released early from prison and working as an FBI
consultant and Burke's
criminal informant. They begin an unconventional and testy relationship as they set out to capture elusive and dangerous white collar criminals in
New York City.
A skilled
con artist,
forger and
thief, he is charming and intelligent. Caffrey was imprisoned after being captured by
FBISpecial Agent in Charge Peter Burke. Neal proposes he become an FBI
consultant and Burke’s
criminal informant, in exchange for early release. Burke agrees on the condition Neal wears an
ankle monitor, allowing the FBI to keep a close eye on Neal's movements. Given the opportunity to build a new, honest life for himself, Neal often craves his old life, forcing him to battle with his inner saboteur.
A hard-working, honest FBI Special Agent, and the head of the FBI’s White Collar Crimes Unit, in which Neal serves at the
FBI’s New York City field office.
An
event planner and Peter's wife. She is supportive and understanding of his work and long hours away. An intelligent woman, Elizabeth is able to discuss Peter's cases with him, and admires Caffrey's refinement.
Previously Burke's probationary agent, Berrigan assists on his and Caffrey's first case together. Transferred to
D.C. after her probation ends, she later returns to the investigative team in
New York City. She is openly
lesbian.
An ex-
United States NavyLieutenant who attended the
United States Naval Academy; he is Burke's
point man who is responsible for carrying out a variety of tasks during the team's investigations, including surveillance. He appreciates Caffrey's unorthodox contributions to the team.
An
insurance investigator for Sterling Bosch, an
insurance company, who testified against Caffrey when he was on trial. Determined to see him return to prison, she later discovers she enjoys working with him.
An elderly widow who meets Neal at a thrift store soon after his release from prison. June is a quick judge of character, and offers Neal her guest room. June also has a close friendship with Mozzie and is often seen talking to him or playing board games.
An expert in ancient books, especially Mosconi's texts. Rebecca joins Neal and Mozzie in their efforts to resolve the mystery behind Mosconi's Codex and becomes Neal's new love interest.
A professional thief and black market
fence who was formerly romantically involved with Neal. She periodically assists with Peter and Neal's cases, but the nature of her and Neal's relationship is always somewhat of a mystery.
The “
blue collar” version of Neal, a thief, and archrival of Neal, Keller was arrested and jailed by Peter but later escaped and tried to steal the
U-boat treasure that Neal and Mozzie have.
Neal's missing girlfriend, who appears to be acting under the direction of a mysterious man, identifiable only by his 10-year commemorative FBI ring. She provides Neal with cryptic clues when she wants to communicate with him, and eventually prepares to reunite with Neal.
A discredited agent from the
Office of Professional Responsibility, his abuse of authority in pursuit of Neal and Peter eventually leads to his forced resignation. Neal believes he is responsible for Kate's death.
Peter Burke's instructor when Burke was training at the
FBI Academy in
Quantico, and later Burke's mentor. Kramer works in the Art Crimes Unit in
Washington, D.C. He, like Neal, is an expert in art, and believes Neal is too valuable to be a free man, so plans to have Neal transferred to Washington, D.C. to work with him.
A wealthy
financier who is the subject of a
long con soon after Neal and Mozzie get together. Kate was working as Adler's personal assistant when Neal took a job with Adler in order to gain his confidence and get the information needed for the con. Adler taught Neal about personal style and to enjoy an expensive lifestyle.
ION Television acquired the rights for syndication of White Collar in 2013 along with Burn Notice.[18] It is the third USA Network television series to be in
syndication on ION Television, along with Monk and Psych.
The first season of White Collar was released in the US as White Collar: The Complete First Season as a widescreen four-disc
Region 1 DVD box set on July 13, 2010.[26] The same set was released on July 26, 2010, in
Region 2, and on August 18, 2010, in
Region 4.[27] The first season of White Collar was released on Blu-ray. The season two four-disc
Region 1 DVD box set was released on June 7, 2011. White Collar: The Complete Third Season four-disc
Region 1 DVD box set was released on June 5, 2012.[28]White Collar: Season 4 DVD box set was released on October 8, 2013. White Collar: Season 5 DVD box set was released on November 4, 2014. White Collar: Season 6 DVD box set was released on May 5, 2015.
For the first season, the
review aggregator website
Rotten Tomatoes reported a 96% approval rating with an average rating of 8/10 based on 27 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Featuring clever plotting and outstanding chemistry between its leads, White Collar is a witty, briskly-paced caper series."[36]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 79 of 100 for the season, based on reviews from 21 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[37]
For the second season, Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating with an average score of 8/10, based on 13 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads: "White Collar's second season builds on the strengths of its first, placing greater emphasis on the charismatic cast, snappy banter, and compelling crimes."[38]
For the third season, Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating with an average score of 8.1/10, based on 10 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads: "White Collar boasts prestige pedigree with stripped down plotting and a laser focus on relationship stakes."[39] Metacritic assigned a score of 72 out of 100 based on 5 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[40]
For the fourth season, Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating with an average score of 8.7/10, based on 12 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads: "White Collar's fourth season keeps things moving with hefty amounts of action, intrigue, and handsomeness."[41]
For the fifth season, Rotten Tomatoes reported a 83% approval rating with an average score of 8/10, based on 6 reviews.[42]
For the sixth season, Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating with an average score of 8.7/10, based on 5 reviews.[43]
Accolades
At the
People's Choice Awards, White Collar was nominated in the categories of Favorite TV Obsession and Favorite Dramedy in 2011 and 2015. It was nominated for Favorite TV Cable Drama between 2012 and 2014.
Matt Bomer won the award for Favorite TV Cable Actor in 2015.[44]Diahann Carroll was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama series at the
Image Awards in 2012 and 2014. At the
TV Guide Awards, actors
Tim DeKay and
Matt Bomer were both nominated for Favorite Duo in 2014.[45] At the
NewNowNext Awards,
Matt Bomer was nominated in the category of Cause You're Hot in 2010.
Regan Mizrahi was nominated in the category of Best Performance in a TV series - Guest Starring Young Actor at the
Young Artist Awards in 2012.[46] The
pilot received a nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Television Pilot - Drama at the
Casting Society of America Awards in 2010.
Possible revival
On May 6, 2020, series creator Jeff Eastin wrote on Twitter that he "Had a great convo with Matt Bomer. We have a plan to bring #WhiteCollar back."[47] But as of 2020[update],
Fox 21 Television Studios, which succeeded the now-defunct Fox TV Studios, is not working on a revival.[48] Many plans were postponed or shelved because of the disruption of the
Covid 19 pandemic.
^"
Parting Shots". White Collar. Season 4. Episode 4. July 31, 2012. c. 40 minutes in.
USA Network. It is our recommendation that he [Peter Burke] be reinstated as Special Agent in Charge of the Manhattan White Collar Division effective immediately.