MGM+ has released the official teaser trailer and first-look image for its upcoming original crime drama The Westies, starring Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons. The series is set to premiere exclusively on 12 July and promises a brutal, character-driven dive into one of New York’s most infamous gangs.
The new show is the latest high-profile project from creator and executive producer Chris Brancato, known for acclaimed crime storytelling across projects such as Narcos and Godfather of Harlem.
What Is The Westies About? A Brutal 1980s Crime Story in Hell’s Kitchen
Set in the early 1980s, The Westies focuses on the real-life Irish-American criminal gang that dominated parts of New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen.
At the centre of the story is the construction of the Jacob Javits Convention Center, a development project that promises a lucrative payoff for whoever controls the territory. Despite being heavily outnumbered by the Italian-American Mafia’s Five Families, the Westies use their reputation for extreme violence and street intelligence to secure a fragile power-sharing agreement.
But tensions inside the gang begin to boil over.
A clash between the older leadership and a younger, more reckless generation threatens to destabilise everything—drawing increased attention from the FBI and pulling the organisation deeper into an escalating organised crime investigation.
J.K. Simmons Leads a Heavyweight Cast
Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons stars as Eamonn Sweeney, the commanding figure at the heart of the gang’s power structure.
He is joined by a strong ensemble cast including:
- Titus Welliver
- Tom Brittney
- Stanley Morgan
- Sarah Bolger
- Jessica Frances Dukes
The series blends gritty historical crime drama with high-stakes political and criminal intrigue, set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing New York City.
From the Creators Behind Narcos and Godfather of Harlem
The Westies marks the third collaboration between MGM+ and Chris Brancato, following the success of Godfather of Harlem and the globally acclaimed Narcos.
Brancato co-created the series alongside Michael Panes, continuing his signature focus on layered crime narratives, morally complex characters, and real-world inspired storytelling.
MGM+ Expands Its Global Crime Drama Slate
The series will stream exclusively on MGM+ in multiple territories including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia.
The release reinforces MGM+’s growing commitment to premium original content in the crime and thriller space.
Official site: MGM+ Official Website
The Westies Release Date
- Premiere date: 12 July
- Platform: MGM+
- Format: 8-episode limited series
- Genre: Crime drama / historical thriller
Why The Westies Is One to Watch
With a powerhouse lead in J.K. Simmons, a proven creative team behind some of television’s most impactful crime dramas, and a setting rooted in one of New York’s most notorious gang histories, The Westies is shaping up to be one of MGM+’s most ambitious original series to date.
Expect brutality, tension, and a story where loyalty may be the most dangerous currency of all.
