From Mayor of Kingstown to The Westies: JK Simmons Leads a Bloody 80s Mob War

Looking for Your Next Crime Obsession?

If you’ve been captivated by the intensity of Mayor of Kingstown, you already know that JK Simmons is a powerhouse when it comes to portraying men burdened by power and pressure. Now, Simmons takes his commanding presence back to the gritty streets of 1980s New York in The Westies, a visceral new drama on MGM+ that explores the bloody intersection of the Irish and Italian mafias.

For fans of Peaky Blinders or Narcos, The Westies offers that same intoxicating blend of historical truth and stylized cinematic violence. Created by Chris Brancato (the mind behind Godfather of Harlem), the series dives deep into the fractious alliance between the Westies—an Irish-American gang—and the formidable Gambino crime family.

The Plot: A Dangerous Game of Power

The story centers on Eamon Sweeney (played by JK Simmons), the leader of the Westies. Operating out of a modest portable cabin on a Hell’s Kitchen construction site, Sweeney has managed to secure a piece of a million-dollar project—a rare feat for the Irish crew in a city dominated by the Italians.

However, maintaining this delicate balance is like walking a tightrope over a pit of fire. The tension arises from two volatile sources:

• The Irish Foot Soldiers: Impulsive, violent, and often intoxicated, these men are a liability to Sweeney’s diplomatic efforts.
• The Italian Mafia: Just as violent as their Irish counterparts, the Gambinos have little patience for the Westies’ instability.

Rising Stars and Falling Bodies

As the chaos unfolds, the series introduces us to the next generation of crime lords. We see the ascent of John Gotti, the future mafia superstar who views the Irish presence as a nuisance to be eradicated. On the other side, we have Jimmy Roarke (Tom Brittney), Sweeney’s most intelligent lieutenant, whose loyalty is torn between his boss and his unstable, Vietnam-vet best friend, Mickey Flanagan.

The show doesn’t shy away from the darkness of the era. From meticulously unpleasant scenes of corpse dismemberment in butcher shops to high-stakes surveillance of Colombian cocaine hubs, The Westies captures the transition of organized crime from traditional rackets to the high-profit drug trade.

The Verdict: Is it Worth the Watch?

While The Westies captures the “mob genre” guilt pleasures perfectly—think brutal punch-ups and ill-conceived heists—it occasionally struggles with its pacing. Some may find Simmons’ portrayal of Sweeney a bit too weary, lacking the sheer terror he often brings to roles like those in Mayor of Kingstown.

However, the supporting cast breathes incredible life into the series. Sarah Bolger as Bridget Walsh provides a necessary emotional anchor and political depth, while Tom Brittney brings a compelling mix of idealism and street-smarts to Roarke.

Final Thoughts

The Westies might not reinvent the gangster wheel, but it is a competent, gritty, and often shocking ride through one of New York’s most violent eras. If you enjoy high-stakes drama and powerhouse acting, this is a journey worth taking.

Stream The Westies now on MGM+.