If you've been craving a gritty, period-set crime drama to fill the Peaky Blinders-shaped hole in your life, MGM+ has you covered. 'The Westies' premieres July 12, and it's already generating serious buzz—thanks in no small part to a powerhouse cast led by Titus Welliver and J.K. Simmons. Collider got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the series, and what we found is a show that blends old-school mob intrigue with cutting-edge production techniques.
Created by Chris Brancato (Narcos, Godfather of Harlem), The Westies follows the titular Irish-American gang in 1980s New York as they forge a dangerous alliance with the Five Families of the Italian Mafia. The backdrop? The construction of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The Westies were famously the chaotic, disorganized foil to the Gambino crime family, known for drug trafficking and extortion. Brancato was drawn to their wild reputation and saw an opportunity to explore a lesser-known chapter of mob history.
At the heart of the series is a generational clash between Eamon Sweeney (Simmons), a fictionalized version of real-life mobster Mickey Spillane, and his protégé Jimmy Rourke (Tom Brittney). Brancato describes it as a "father-son" relationship that viewers will instantly connect with. "We all realize the truth about our parents at some point or another, and that's kind of what we're getting at here," he says. Meanwhile, Eamon is trying to strengthen ties with the Gambino family, led by characters based on real-life figures Paul Castellano (Ron Lee) and John Gotti (Hamish Allen-Headley). As the alliances grow more complex, audiences may find themselves rooting for the scrappy Irish gang.
One of the most surprising revelations from our set visit? The Westies wasn't filmed in New York at all. Instead, the production transformed Toronto's Cinespace Studios into a gritty replica of Hell's Kitchen, complete with adult entertainment venues, a Devil's Perk coffee shop, and a Westside boxing gym—all coated in graffiti and rust. Brancato explained that building the sets in Toronto was more cost-effective, and thanks to a combination of production design and visual effects, viewers won't notice the difference. In fact, the show is one of the first to experiment with AI to create the period look. "We're one of the first shows to be experimenting with AI in terms of using it to create the look of the period," Brancato shared.
Brancato and his frequent writing partner Michael Panes wrote all eight episodes themselves, without a traditional writers' room. This was a deliberate choice given the limited budget and their clear vision for the story. "It was very difficult, but we were very close, obviously, to the characters and to the situations that were presented, because we were writing them day by day," Brancato said. The series aims to cover the years 1980 to 1986, a period that ends with the gang's dissolution. At the time of our visit, the team was prepping the final two episodes while shooting episodes five and six.
When it came to casting, Brancato knew exactly who he wanted for the lead. "J.K. was the first person we met. So we had one meeting with him, and then we had the laborious casting process of not talking to anybody else," he joked. Simmons was immediately drawn to the role, and his presence anchors the series. Titus Welliver rounds out the cast, adding another layer of intensity to the already formidable lineup. For fans of crime dramas, this is a must-watch—and if you need more proof, check out our deep dive on Titus Welliver's standout performance.
The show's music is also a character in itself, blending Irish tunes that pump you up with period-appropriate hits from the '80s. Brittney revealed that bands like Mötley Crüe and Blondie were part of the pre-fight sequence playlist. With its unique setting, compelling performances, and innovative production, The Westies is shaping up to be one of the most exciting crime dramas of the year. For more on the genre, check out our ranking of the best action scenes from crime movies.
