The Westies: the new crime series with J.K. Simmons and the Irish gang of New York

The Westies is the eight-episode crime series that will debut on July 12 with a double episode, followed by a weekly release. The series will be available in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Colombia.

The Irish gang against the Five Families: Hell's Kitchen in the '80s

The Westies tells the story of the infamous Irish gang that dominated Hell's Kitchen in the early Eighties. The construction of the Jacob Javits Convention Center on the gang's territory promises considerable profits. The gang, numerically inferior compared to the Five Families of the Italian mafia in a ratio of one to fifty, has maintained its position through a reputation for violence and cunning that has guaranteed a fragile truce with the Italian criminal organizations.

The generational conflict between the younger members and the old guard threatens this precarious balance. The internal tension coincides with the intensification of the FBI's investigation into the Italian mafia, an inquiry that will end up involving the Westies as well.

J.K. Simmons and Titus Welliver: the cast of the crime series

The series sees J.K. Simmons in the role of Eamon Sweeney and Titus Welliver in that of Glenn Keenan. Tom Brittney plays Jimmy Roarke, while Stanley Morgan is Mickey Flanagan. Sarah Bolger appears as Bridget Walsh and Jessica Frances Dukes in the role of Agent Birdie Polk. Hamish Allan-Headley plays John Gotti, a central figure in the history of the New York mafia. Completing the cast are Vincent Walsh as Eddie Breen, Allen Leech in the role of Brendan Cahill and Hillary McCormack as Erin Malone.

Chris Brancato and Michael Panes: the creators behind The Westies

Chris Brancato and Michael Panes created the series, also serving as executive producers together with Raymond Quinlan, Frank Siracusa and John Weber. The direction is entrusted to Alan Taylor and Chris Grismer. Brancato brings to the series the experience gained with Narcos and Godfather of Harlem, while Taylor has directed episodes of productions like The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire.

J.K. Simmons, Oscar winner for Whiplash, has recently worked in Being the Ricardos and in the series The Morning Show. Titus Welliver, known for the role of detective Harry Bosch in the series of the same name, appeared in Deadlocked and continues to play the character in Bosch: Legacy. Tom Brittney, known for Grantchester, participated in The Outlaws. Sarah Bolger, seen in Mayans M.C., acted in A Good Woman Is Hard to Find. Allen Leech, famous for Downton Abbey, appeared in the movie Downton Abbey: A New Era and in the series The Hunt for Raoul Moat.