The MGM+ crime drama The Westies has been making waves with its gritty portrayal of 1980s New York gang life. As Season 1 wraps, showrunners Chris Brancato and Michael Panes are already looking ahead, and they've made it clear that the shocking finale is just the beginning of the story.
In an exclusive chat with Collider, the duo discussed their ambitions for the series. "These days, a series goes three, four, five seasons, and we would very much like to do that here," Brancato said, hinting that the world of the Westies has plenty more to explore. The first season followed Jimmy Roarke (Tom Brittney) as he maneuvered to take control of the Irish gang, but Eamon Sweeney (J.K. Simmons) isn't about to step aside quietly. That sets the stage for a power struggle that could define Season 2.
Finding the Perfect Soundtrack
One of the show's most distinctive elements is its theme song, "Dropped on My Head" by the Dropkick Murphys. Brancato revealed that the choice wasn't immediate. "We were building the title sequence visuals, which are these interesting sketches, while at the same time searching for the right music to put behind them," he explained. "We auditioned a couple of songs, but the minute they came through with that Dropkick Murphys song, we knew we had the right vibe." Panes agreed, calling it "pretty self-evident" and praising its energy.
No Heroes, No Villains
The show has been praised for its morally ambiguous characters, and that's no accident. "We like to put all the characters in various moral dilemmas," Brancato said. "We're doing a show about criminals. What you have to do is try to establish certain of them as underdogs because we generally like to root for an underdog." He pointed to the father-son conflict between Sweeney and Roarke as a relatable hook. Panes added, "Don't count out Birdie. We're human beings. We all have failings and positive things about each one of us."
That complexity extends to Officer Glenn Keenan (Titus Welliver), whose tragic backstory is revealed in Episode 6. Panes noted, "It's what the character is claiming is motivating him, but we don't have to necessarily believe him." The reveal was carefully timed. "We didn't want to reveal it too early because I feel like you have to earn it," he said. "You have to be involved in his character."
The Finale's Brutal Confrontation
The Season 1 finale features a harrowing scene between Bridget (Sarah Bolger) and Colonel Markham, which ends with Markham dead but the actual killing left off-screen. Brancato explained that the decision was made in the editing room. "We even wrote it in a couple of different ways. And then, ultimately, we shot it in a way that's very close to what you saw, but some of it was also editorially, in the aftermath," he said. "We decided to leave out the moment of her actually killing him and leave it to be discovered by the henchmen later."
Sarah Bolger's performance in that sequence was a highlight, and Panes praised her commitment. "Sarah Bolger, who's an outstanding actress, really met that challenge head on and she was game for it all," he said. "We knew we wanted to create a female character that wasn't just a girlfriend."
As for what's next, the creators are keeping details under wraps, but they're clearly excited about the possibilities. With the upcoming Season 2 and a rich world to explore, fans can expect more twists, more moral gray areas, and more of the raw energy that made Season 1 so compelling.
