NYC Irish gang drama series The Westies, starring Tom Brittney and JK Simmons, starts shooting in Toronto this July.
The Westies is set in the early 1980s when the construction of the Jacob Javitz Convention Center on the Westies’ home turf in Hell’s Kitchen promises a financial windfall for the Irish-American organized crime gang.
Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, The Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.
However, internal conflict between the brash younger generation and the old-school leadership threatens to set a match to this powder keg, which will sweep the Westies into the FBI’s ever-deepening investigation into the Italian mafia.
The Crooks:
Tom Brittney as rising Irish gangster James “Jimmy” Roarke, the leader of the younger generation of Westies.
J.K. Simmons as Eamon Sweeney, the ruthless leader of The Westies who mentors Jimmy.
The Law:
Titus Welliver as troubled NYPD officer Glenn Keenan, who grew up with the Westies crew, and is torn between loyalty to the law and love for his wayward son.
Frances Dukes as Birdie Polk, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Gambino Task Force, determined to take down Irish and Italian organized crime.
The Westies Season One:
Episodes: 8
Toronto filming dates: July 14 2025 – October 29 2025.
Showrunner: Chris Brancato.
Cast: Tom Brittney, J.K. Simmons, Titus Welliver, Jessica Frances Dukes.
Producers: MGM+ Studios.