Peaky Blinders Meets The Departed In J.K. Simmons' New 8-Part Gangster Thriller

Fans of shows like Peaky Blinders and movies like The Departed have something to look forward to this weekend as J.K. Simmons' new series premieres on MGM+. Created by Chris Brancato (Narcos) and Michael Panes (Godfather of Harlem), this new 8-part crime drama series is one of the best new shows to watch this weekend on any streaming platform thanks to its star-studded cast and gripping gangster plot based on real events.

The Westies officially premieres on MGM+ this Sunday, July 12, bringing together J.K. Simmons, Titus Welliver, Tom Brittney, and a great ensemble cast. With its gangster themes, Irish characters, and real-world inspiration, The Westies is one of the best new shows for fans of Peaky Blinders and The Departed to check out this weekend. The first two episodes are set to drop this weekend, followed by weekly drops until the finale arrives in August.

The Westies Is Perfect For Fans Of Peaky Blinders & The Departed

Just like Peaky Blinders and The Departed, The Westies is based on an actual gang that holds a special place in history. Set during the 1980s in the Hell's Kitchen District of New York City, The Westies depicts a major transition period amongst the ruling gangs in the region. The Westies were an Irish-American gang that was defined by their fierce loyalty and fearlessness in using violence, two staples of their legacy, as they defied the odds to become one of the most influential NYC-based gangs of their time.

Although The Westies were vastly outnumbered and often overpowered by the Five Families of the Italian Mafia, they were able to form a strong but delicate truce as they aimed to take a piece of the profits of the Jatvis Center construction project. That fragile truce is mostly upheld until a new, younger, and determined generation of gangsters starts to make certain moves that threaten its integrity. These growing internal conflicts, along with a relentless crackdown by the FBI, are where the cracks begin to show in The Westies' claim to power.

Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons (Whiplash) serves as the head of The Westies, Eamon Sweeney, the no-nonsense leader of the crime organization who carries a particular charm. Tom Brittney (Greyhound) plays James "Jimmy" Roarke, Sweeney's rising protégé and the leader of the gang's younger generation. On the other side of the law is Glenn Keenan, played by Titus Welliver (Bosch), an NYPD officer who has deep connections to The Westies, as he and Sweeney grew up together. Also, Birdie Polk, played by Jessica Frances Dukes (Ozark), is a sharp FBI agent who leads a task force set to dismantle the Gambino crime family.

Titus Welliver Teams Up With J.K. Simmons In MGM's 8-Part Thriller

The Westies brings together two major Hollywood forces in J.K. Simmons and Titus Welliver, who have never previously acted in any movie or television show until now. While both had recurring roles in the Law & Order franchise in the past, neither actor has ever performed onscreen with the other, marking a career-first for both. The dynamic between Simmons' Sweeney and Welliver's Keenan will be a crucial factor in the series in a similar way to how Matt Damon's Colin Sullivan, a Massachusetts State police officer, had deep, corrupt ties to Jack Nicholson's Irish mob boss Frank Costello in The Departed.

The only place to stream The Westies is on MGM+, which is an affiliate streaming service of Amazon Prime Video but requires a separate paid subscription. With such a dynamite cast and experienced creators behind the series, The Westies is well worth the extra subscription cost for those who are on the fence about signing up for MGM+. If you can't get enough of gritty gangster stories that are rooted in actual history, consider The Westies an absolute must-watch when it premieres this Sunday.