Premiere of Anticipated Gangster Drama
The highly-anticipated crime drama The Westies premiered on July 12, 2026, with audiences receiving the first two episodes of the eight-part series. The period crime drama, led by Oscar winner J.K. Simmons, follows the eponymous Irish-American gang operating in 1980s New York City as they go head-to-head with their much larger Italian-American rivals. From the team behind Netflix’s Narcos and Forest Whitaker’s Godfather of Harlem, The Westies charts the operations of the notoriously violent gang as they fend off threats from both outside and inside. The show has already been described as Peaky Blinders meets The Sopranos and boasts an impressive cast.
Main Cast and Their Previous Roles
Eamon Sweeney - J.K. Simmons
Veteran star and Oscar winner J.K. Simmons takes on the role of the head of The Westies as Eamon Sweeney. Simmons’ biggest credits include Whiplash, Starz’s Counterpart, La La Land, and Juno, among many other roles.
Glenn Keenan - Titus Welliver
Beloved American star Titus Welliver stars as troubled NYPD officer Glenn Keenan, who has divided loyalties between the Westies, whom he grew up with, and the law. Welliver is best known for his role as brilliant detective Bosch as well as roles in Ago, Man on a Ledge, The Town, Deadwood, and Dark Winds.
James ‘Jimmy’ Roarke - Tom Brittney
Grantchester star Tom Brittney is unrecognisable in The Westies as he swaps quaint Cambridgeshire for the mean streets of New York City, playing Eamon’s protege James ‘Jimmy’ Roarke. The British actor has also appeared in Greyhound, UnREAL, and Black Box.
Mickey Flanagan - Stanley Morgan
Stanley Morgan stars as Mickey Flanagan after appearing in Disney+’s A Thousand Blows, Argylle, The Serpent Queen, and Sexy Beast the TV series.
Bridget Walsh - Sarah Bolger
Irish actress Sarah Bolger plays IRA operative and Jimmy’s girlfriend Bridget Walsh after roles in The Tudors, Mayans M.C., Stormbreaker, and The Spiderwick Chronicles.
Birdie Polk - Jessica Frances Dukes
Jessica Frances Dukes takes on the role of FBI agent Birdie Polk, who heads up the group’s Gambino Task Force and will stop at nothing to take down Irish and Italian organised crime in the Big Apple. Dukes counts credits in Netflix’s Ozark, Marvel series Jessica Jones, Grey Matter, and Earth Abides.
John Gotti - Hamish Allan-Headly
Hamish Allan-Headly stars as John Gotti, a rising star in the Italian-American crime family the Gambinos. He has appeared in Mayor of Kingstown, superhero series Daredevil: Born Again, and true crime drama Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy.
Brendan Cahill - Allen Leech
Irish actor Allen Leech stars as IRA cell leader Brendan Cahill and is best known for his role as Tom Branson in Downton Abbey. Leech has also starred in Bohemian Rhapsody, The Imitation Game, The Vanishing Triangle, and Too Good to Be True.
Erin Malone - Hilary McCormack
Hilary McCormack plays Erin Malone, a street hustler who wins over Mickey. McCormick has appeared in Earth Abides with Dukes, Happy Face, Wayward, and Undelivered.
Eddie Breen - Vincent Walsh
Irish star Vincent Walsh plays Eamon’s most trusted advisor Eddie Breen after featuring in Billy the Kid, Der Irland-Krimi, and Irish Blood with Alicia Silverstone.
Danny Keenan - Aidan Wojtak-Hissong
Aidan Wojtak-Hissong is Danny Keenan, the teenage son of police officer Glenn, and also does errands for the Westies despite his father’s disapproval. Wojtak-Hissong has previously starred in I Am Not Okay With This, Falling Water, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, and Saving Hope.
Pat - Jeremy Walmsley
Jeremy Walmsley is young Westie member Pat, with the actor appearing in Cross, Sheriff County, The Last Frontier, and Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.
Connor - Dylan Taylor
Dylan Taylor is Connor, a young Westie member who is friends with Jimmy. Taylor has had roles in SisterS, Sheriff Country, The Borderline, and Dying Seconds.
Where to Watch
The Westies airs weekly on MGM+ via Prime Video on Sundays. New viewers can get a free trial of MGM+ for seven days to catch up on episodes.
