If you thought you knew everything about New York's underworld, think again. MGM+'s new crime thriller The Westies pulls back the curtain on one of the most ruthless—and surprisingly small—gangs to ever rule Hell's Kitchen. Starring Titus Welliver (Bosch) and Oscar winner J.K. Simmons, the series is a gritty, pulse-pounding dive into the early 1980s, when the Irish mob fought tooth and nail to hold onto their turf against the Italian mafia. But what makes this show truly gripping is that it's rooted in a jaw-dropping true story.
The Real Westies: A Tiny Gang with a Massive Grip
In real life, the Westies were an Irish crime family that operated in New York City's Hell's Kitchen. Despite their small numbers—estimates range from just 20 to 60 members—they wielded enormous power. They controlled unions at Madison Square Garden, the docks, and the New York Coliseum, and they ran a lucrative racket out of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, siphoning off hundreds of thousands of dollars in ticket sales. The series captures this underdog dynamic perfectly, with Simmons' character, Eamon Sweeney, lamenting, "The Italians outnumber us 100 to one."
J.K. Simmons' Character and the Real Mob Bosses
Simmons plays Eamon Sweeney, a fictionalized version of the Westies' real-life leaders. The historical gang was headed by Mickey Spillane, a so-called "Gentleman Gangster," and later by Jimmy Coonan, who took over after Spillane was murdered in 1977 by a Gambino family hitman. Coonan then allied with the Gambinos, shifting the gang's direction. In the show, Sweeney represents the old guard, while Tom Brittney's James "Jimmy" Roarke embodies the brash new generation, setting up a power struggle that threatens to ignite the entire neighborhood.
For fans of crime dramas, this series is a must-watch, especially if you've enjoyed other gritty thrillers like Apple TV's 'Echo 3' or the intense world of 50 Cent's 'Fightland'.
How the Westies Fell
The downfall of the real Westies began with the Intrepid Museum's bankruptcy in 1985. During the financial investigation, their skimming operation was exposed. One of their own, Mickey Featherstone, turned informant and testified against the gang. In 1988, Jimmy Coonan was sentenced to 75 years for racketeering, extortion, loan sharking, and murder. The judge called him "a man without any redeeming features" guilty of "unspeakable cruelty." Coonan is due for mandatory release in 2030 at age 83.
The Westies premieres July 12 on MGM+. If you're looking for more edge-of-your-seat entertainment, check out our list of Best Psychological Thrillers of 2026 So Far or dive into our exclusive inside look at the series.
