🔥 Trending The Westies: Everything to Know About the New Gangster Drama

"The Westies" is a new crime drama series on MGM+ that premiered on Sunday, July 12, 2026 ²⁵. Set in 1980s New York, specifically Hell's Kitchen, the series delves into the world of the notorious Irish-American criminal gang known as The Westies ¹²³.

The show, co-created by Chris Brancato and Michael Panes, draws inspiration from the real-life Westies gang, known for their brutal tactics and cunning in navigating the criminal underworld ⁵⁷. While the plot is not based on a specific true story, it is heavily influenced by the gang's history ⁷. The series centers on fictional boss Eamon Sweeney, whose management style and decisions drive the narrative ⁴. A key plot point involves the gang's efforts to profit from the construction of the Jacob Javits Convention Center, a major opportunity that puts them in conflict with larger Italian mafia groups despite being vastly outnumbered ⁹¹⁰. The series explores themes of generational tensions within the gang and their struggle for power through violence and intimidation ⁴⁵⁹. Titus Welliver and J.K. Simmons are among the cast members ³. Although set in New York, the series was primarily filmed in Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario ⁸.