The creation of the glass structure where Hillary Clinton would concede the 2016 election might not seem like compelling TV material. This holds true for “The Westies,” an MGM+ drama focused on an Irish gang profiting from the construction of Manhattan’s Javits Center. Despite featuring seasoned actors like J.K. Simmons and Titus Welliver, portraying a crime boss and a corrupt cop, respectively, the series fails to provide a fresh perspective on this familiar genre.
Oscar winner Simmons plays Eamon Sweeney, a Hell’s Kitchen crime leader aiming to capitalize on the Javits project for his crew, composed of interchangeable young enforcers with names like Sean and Connor. Sweeney’s plan involves collaborating with the Italian Mafia, significantly larger than his own shrinking group, with the skeptical and rising John Gotti (Hamish Allan-Headley) as a key figure. Although based loosely on a real organization, “The Westies” lacks the captivating failure of the 2018 John Travolta biopic on Gotti. The success of Sweeney’s plan depends on volatile thugs maintaining discipline and on junior members like his protégé Jimmy Roarke (Tom Brittney, noted for his distracting sideburns) trusting his leadership.
Series creators Chris Brancato and Michael Panes, who previously worked on “Godfather of Harlem,” could have used the 1980s backdrop of “The Westies” to offer more insightful commentary on its era and setting. The Javits Center symbolizes both opportunity and the displacement of the Irish American community as a distinct ethnic group with its own neighborhoods. By the Reagan Administration, assimilation was already well underway. Instead of adopting a somber tone like “The Sopranos” with Tony’s famous remark about coming in at the end, “The Westies” feels outdated, focusing on Irish brawlers as if the Jets from “West Side Story” continued fighting for two more decades. Colombian cocaine and other hard drugs are briefly acknowledged as signs of changing times, but these are only cursory nods.
“The Westies” also lacks the immersive production quality seen in recent projects like HBO’s “The Deuce,” which vividly recreated porn-era Times Square. Filming in Ontario detracts from the show’s authentic New York feel. The main topical connection comes from Jimmy’s girlfriend Bridget (Sarah Bolger), a fugitive IRA fighter drawn back into the conflict by her former comrade Brendan (Allen Leech). However, viewers seeking a detailed portrayal of the Troubles might prefer to watch 2024’s “Say Nothing,” as this subplot is only tangential.
“The Westies” primarily suffers from a lack of engaging central characters. Sweeney is portrayed as a ruthless pragmatist who has no qualms about killing his own men for disobedience, as demonstrated in the opening scene. His logic is more convincing than Jimmy’s unwavering loyalty to reckless individuals like Mickey Flanagan (Stanley Morgan), a traumatized Vietnam veteran unfit to wield a gun, leading to predictable chaos. Yet, the narrative seems to side with Jimmy’s tribal loyalty, even when it involves a group of criminals offering no real advantage over those from other ethnic backgrounds.
Welliver’s portrayal of Glenn Keenan, a corrupt cop reluctantly working with the FBI against the Gambino crime family, adds little to the story. As an alcoholic and negligent father, his redemption arc is unconvincing, even with Harry Bosch himself advocating for it. By the time Glenn’s son Danny (Aidan Wojtak-Hissong) repeatedly asks him to leave, viewers may find themselves agreeing. Overall, the audience feels indifferent at best about Sweeney’s crew’s corrupt dealings, and actively opposed at worst. The upbeat music during fight scenes, including one involving a comically used rocket launcher, implies a sense of enjoyment that isn’t present.
While Simmons’ commanding voice and charming presence are evident, even under a period-appropriate newsboy cap, “The Westies” fails to effectively showcase his appeal in the realm of high-quality TV. Unlike his roles in “Counterpart” or “Whiplash,” the series is simply about uninteresting criminals with a lifestyle not worth lamenting.
The first two episodes of “The Westies” will debut on MGM+ on July 12 at 9 p.m. ET, with subsequent episodes airing weekly on Sundays.
