The Westies is an American crime drama television series set in New York in the 1980s, centering on the world of the Westies criminal gang.
Contents
Premise
In 1980s Hell's Kitchen, New York, two men who know each other from childhood take differing paths in life, with one becoming a police officer, and the other becoming a member of local criminal gang, the Westies.
Cast
Main
J. K. Simmons as Eamon Sweeney, leader of the Westies. Loosedly based on Irish-American mobster, Mickey Spillane.
Titus Welliver as Glenn Keenan, an NYPD officer and former Force Recon Marine with three tours in Vietnam, who has a history with the Westies
Tom Brittney as James “Jimmy” Roarke, a Westie crew member and Bridget’s boyfriend. Based on Irish-American gangster, James Coonan.
Jessica Frances Dukes as Birdie Polk, an FBI Special Agent leading an investigation of the Gambino family
Stanley Morgan as Mickey Flanagan, a Vietnam veteran, former POW, and Westie associate. Based on Coonan's right-hand man and underboss, Mickey Featherstone.
Sarah Bolger as Bridget Walsh/Sarah McKenna, a former IRA soldier pretending to be an American, and Jimmy’s girlfriend
Allen Leech as Brendan Cahill, an IRA soldier operating in New York
Hamish Allan-Headly as John Gotti, a Gambino Family Capo
Hilary McCormack as Erin Malone, an escort and friend of Jimmy and Mickey
Recurring
Vincent Walsh as Eddie Breen, a Westie lieutenant and Sweeney’s right hand man
Dylan Taylor as Connor, a Westie associate
Aidan Wojtak-Hissong as Danny Keenan, Glenn’s estranged son working for the Westies
John Bourgeois as Ray Quinlan
Mark Camacho as Angelo Ruggiero
Guest
Jeremy Walmsley as Pat, a Westie associate
Ron Lea as Paul Castellano, Boss of the Gambino Family
Michael Rispoli as Vinnie Zaccaro, a soldier in the Gambino Family
Adam O'Byrne as Deke Kinsella
Martin Roach as Leon
Michael Cram as Father Michael
Harry Hadden-Paton as Gerald Markham
Special guest
Richard Schiff as Ruby Stein, a loan shark
Production
The series marks the third collaboration between screenwriter Chris Brancato and MGM+ after Hotel Cocaine and The Godfather of Harlem. It is created and executive produced by Brancato and Michael Panes. Brancato serves as showrunner on the series.
The cast is led by J. K. Simmons, Tom Brittney and Titus Welliver, with Jessica Frances Dukes.
In July 2025, it was announced that Stanley Morgan, Sarah Bolger, Allen Leech, Hamish Allan-Headly, Vincent Walsh, Richard Schiff and Hilary McCormack were cast.
In September 2025, Aidan Wojtak-Hissong, Jeremy Walmsley and Dylan Taylor joined the series in recurring roles.
Filming got underway in Hamilton and Toronto, Ontario in July 2025.
Theme song
The theme song for the series, "Dropped on My Head", was provided by Dropkick Murphys and is featured as a bonus track on their 2025 album For the People.
Release
The series premiered in the United States on MGM+ on July 12, 2026.
Reception
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 78% based on 18 reviews, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "What The Westies lacks in originality, it makes up for with a sturdy crime story, compelling characters, and a cast that knows how to handle the genre." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 61 out of 100 based on 11 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".