MGM+ is expanding the cast of its new series J.K. Simmons crime drama The Westies, announcing Tom Brittney as the co-lead alongside J.K. Simmons. Set to explore the dynamics of an Irish mob in 1980s New York, the show begins production in July in Toronto and promises a tense underworld narrative set amid the rise of organized crime.
Tom Brittney Takes Key Role in Upcoming Series
Tom Brittney, previously seen in Greyhound, has been chosen to portray James “Jimmy” Roarke, who is described as
the fiercely loyal, streetwise leader of the younger generation of Westies, a rising Irish gangster mentored by Eamon Sweeney (Simmons), whose allegiances will be challenged as the Westies forge a partnership with the Gambino Crime Family.
—No attribution, skipped. His character’s journey and shifting loyalties will serve as a core focus, especially as he works under the mentorship of Eamon Sweeney, played by J.K. Simmons. Brittney will join an ensemble featuring Frances Dukes, recognized from Ozark, and Titus Welliver of Bosch fame.
Setting and Plot of The Westies
The narrative of The Westies unfolds in the early 1980s, located in Hell’s Kitchen. During this era, the construction of the Jacob Javitz Convention Center brings the promise of significant profits for the Irish-American organized crime group at the heart of the story. Although the Westies face overwhelming odds against the numerically dominant Five Families of the Italian mafia, their reputation for violence and strategic cunning allows them to claim a share of the illicit gains, relying on an uneasy truce.
However, tensions within the gang escalate as younger, audacious members challenge the control of traditional leadership. This internal struggle, combined with their external alliances and rivalries, places the group in the growing sights of an FBI probe targeting Italian mafia operations. The narrative is expected to balance action and character-driven drama, rooted in the ethnic and criminal dynamics of the period.
Production and Creative Team
The Westies is helmed by creators Chris Brancato, known for Narcos, and Michael Panes, who worked on Godfather of Harlem. Chris Brancato also takes on the role of showrunner and will executive produce the project. With its Toronto production commencing in July, viewers can anticipate authentic period detail and a robust depiction of the Irish-American mob’s rise, conflicts, and entanglements with federal investigations and other crime organizations.
The show aims to deliver a stark exploration of loyalty, power, and criminal ambition. By centering on figures such as Jimmy Roarke and Eamon Sweeney, and intertwining real-world New York crime history, J.K. Simmons crime drama The Westies looks set to intrigue fans of gritty, ensemble-driven television dramas.
