Oscar winner signs up to star in new series about infamous Irish-American gang
Oscar winner J.K. Simmons has signed up to star in a brand new TV series about infamous Irish-American gang The Westies.
From the co-creator of Godfather of Harlem, Narcos, and Narcos: Mexico, Chris Brancato, The Westies is an eight-part series set in 1980s New York City.
The show takes place when 'the construction of the Jacob Javitz Convention Centre on the Westies' home turf in Hell's Kitchen promises a financial windfall.'
'Despite being outnumbered fifty-to-one 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,' the show synopsis continues.
JK Simmons (Getty Images)
News in 90 Seconds - May 30th
'But 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 show was created by Brancato and Michael Panes, who will both serve as executive producers.
The series is set to begin filming in Toronto, Canada this July.
J.K Simmons (70) is a multi-award-winning actor.
His credits include Whiplash, Juno, Justice League, La La Land, and Red One.
He is set to play the role of Eamon Sweeney – 'the charismatic but ruthless leader of The Westies whose old-school charm and neighborhood loyalty mask fierce criminal ambition and calculated brutality.'
The Westies were a Manhattan-based Irish-American organised crime outfit.
Their activities included racketeering, drug trafficking, burglary, illegal gambling, fraud, and carrying out contract killings.
According to the NYPD, they're responsible for between 60 to 100 murders spanning 18 years from 1968 to 1986.
The gang was founded in the 1960s and was led by James Coonan until he was jailed for 75 years in 1988.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
a minute ago
- The Irish Sun
Love Island's Uma hits back at cruel troll who tells her to use fat jabs before her wedding
UMA Jammeh has had the perfect response to a troll who told her to "go on Ozempic before her wedding". The Love Island star announced in mid-July that she was engaged to Wil Anderson a year after they met on the show. Advertisement 5 Uma had the perfect message for a cruel comment Credit: Instagram / @umajammeh 5 Uma and Wil got engaged last month Credit: Splash But while most people filled the pair's feed with congratulations and loving messages, one bitter commenter decided to try and bring her down, telling her "Go on Ozempic b4 your wedding". Rather than let it get her down, stunning Uma knew exactly how to respond – with a perfectly timed TikTok video basically telling them to shut up. Strutting her stuff on a hotel rooftop overlooking the sea, Uma put on her most stunning cream dress as she posed and blew a kiss to the camera. She then lipsynced a quote from Oscar-winning movie Anora and declared: "Stay jealous, honey. Jealousy is a disease, remember that, Diamond!" Advertisement In the caption, Uma wrote: "Thankyou for giving me the perfect excuse to use this sound 😝" Her Love Island pals loved the clapback, with Millie Court writing: "u tell em girl !!!!!! you are quite literally the definition of perfection !!!!" Matilda Draper wrote: 'OBSESSED WITH U" later adding, "Deluded peopleeee" Influencer Amy Reddish also weighed in and said: "What the f**k are people ok !! You are absolutely incredible !! 🔥🔥" Advertisement "Imagine being the most beautiful woman to grace Love Island and you still get comments like this ☠️" added a fan. The sweet support clearly meant a lot to Uma, who later added in teh comments: "Thank you for all the lovely comments guys and don't worry I would never listen stuff like this I just thought it was a slay video ☺️😝🥰💕" Love Island beauty Uma Jammeh lands huge new six-figure job to rival Maya Jama a year after leaving the villa Uma and Wil announced their engagement on July 14, with Wil getting down on one knee during a romantic getaway to Palma de Mallorca in Spain. Mallorca is where the Love Island villa is located, so holds special meaning to them. Advertisement Wil shared photos of the romantic, beachside proposal – which came complete with candles, flowers and rose petal scattered around a cosy nook. Making the announcement days later, Uma's diamond ring was sparkling as she posed in a chartreuse-coloured halter-neck dress. 5 The stunning star strutted off the cruel comments in style Credit: Instagram / @umajammeh 5 The star showed off her incredible ring shortly after the proposal Credit: instagram/@umajammeh Advertisement
Sunday World
6 minutes ago
- Sunday World
Irish influencer Nasti_2k ‘unaware of probe' into promotion of unregulated trading platform
In recent months, Dubliner Jonathan Finlay has been encouraging his social media followers to sign up to the Seychelles-registered service Irish influencer Jonathan Finlay has said he is 'not aware of any ongoing investigation by the Central Bank into his affairs' or his promotion of an unregulated trading platform. Mr Finlay (25), who goes by Nasti_2k online, has amassed 856,000 followers on his TikTok and Instagram accounts from posting food content. The Dubliner has repeatedly claimed he makes 'no money whatsoever' from social media and his main source of income is from trading. 'In Ireland, they [Instagram and TikTok] don't pay; you don't get paid for your likes, views or followers,' he said in a video posted on instant messaging app Telegram. Mr Finlay said he has been able to afford to fly first-class on '11 or 12 holidays' this year, 'all because of trading'. In recent months, the influencer has been encouraging his followers to sign up to T4Trade, an offshore platform registered in the Seychelles. He has a 'VIP group' on Telegram, where he charges a €1,000 'entry fee' to join so users can copy the trades he uses to make money. The TikToker had been making the group free to join to 'celebrate' his own successful investments, with subscribers told they need minimum starting funds of €300. I'm taking on these people free of charge once you follow these steps 'This is your funds that you will trade with, NOT a fee or anything! I'm taking on these people free of charge once you follow these steps,' he says. 'By joining the VIP you'll get access to: my daily trades, 24/7 support to help you get up and running and help with any issues; and educational material. 'Send a screenshot of your dashboard to me when you complete the sign up and deposit. I'll get you added into the trading channel and get you started ASAP.' In another video, he referenced how his VIP group has more than 2,000 members who are making 'hundreds week-on-week' from trading. 'Are you happy with how much money you're making? Ninety per cent plus people said they're not and I think back to that time when I was working like a slave, 7pm to 7am, five or six days a week, and I just wish someone gave me an opportunity to make a side income that could potentially turn into your main income, and I wanna do that for you guys,' he said T4Trade states its website is not directed at EU residents and 'falls outside the European regulatory framework'. The site includes a risk warning that says its products 'carry a high level of risk and it is possible to lose all your capital'. Several regulators have issued warnings against the company. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK said: 'This firm may be providing financial services or products without our authorisation. You should avoid dealing with this firm.' Last year, the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (DFSA) claimed Danish influencers were 'soliciting their followers to invest with T4Trade's investment platform' and warned that people would not get their money back 'if things go wrong' because the company is not authorised to offer financial services in Denmark. The Central Bank of Ireland in Dublin. Photo: Jason Alden/Bloomberg When asked if it was investigating any complaints against T4Trade, the Central Bank of Ireland said it is 'bound by strict statutory obligations of confidentiality and is precluded from commenting on the specific investigations it undertakes'. While it had been reported that the Central Bank was 'looking into the matter', Mr Finlay said he had not been made aware of any investigation. In response to queries from the Irish Independent, Lavelle Solicitors, instructed by Mr Finlay, said: 'Our client is not aware of any ongoing investigation by the Central Bank into his affairs, nor has he received any contact from the Central Bank in relation to any ongoing investigation into T4Trade.' Mr Finlay, who has a master's degree in digital marketing from UCD, said he has not been giving any financial advice. We have instructions to take all necessary steps to protect our client's reputation 'In so far as your queries relate to T4Trade or contain allegations against T4Trade, we suggest that you direct your queries to that entity,' Lavelle Solicitors said. The statement went on to claim that 'factually inaccurate' information had been previously published about Mr Finlay's relationship with T4Trade. 'In the event that any defamatory content is published about our client, we have instructions to take all necessary steps to protect our client's reputation'. The Irish Independent contacted T4Trade for comment. If consumers deal with a financial firm that is not authorised, there is no recourse to statutory compensation schemes or the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman. 'Whether a particular entity or individual requires to be registered or authorised by the Central Bank depends on the exact nature of the services provided by the entity or individual,' the Central Bank said. T4Trade advises people about different trading methods, including Forex trading, which involves buying one currency while selling another. Traders try to speculate on how these will change in value. Jonathan Finlay, aka Nasti_2k, has 856,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram from posting food content News in 90 Seconds - Sunday, August 3rd
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Rita Ora teams up with Netflix to secretly record new song for massive series
Find out which A-list rapper and singer appeared in the ring at WWE's Summerslam STAR'S NEW TRACK Rita Ora teams up with Netflix to secretly record new song for massive series RITA ORA sure has her fingers in a lot of pies. I can reveal the singer/actress/presenter has recorded a new song for the upcoming second series of Netflix hit Love Is Blind UK. Sources tell me Joy is a powerful track about finding inner peace and is expected to be released in the coming days. Rather than being on her upcoming fourth album, Joy will be a stand-alone song that will debut in a TV trailer for the dating show then drop on Spotify and Amazon Music. A source said: 'It's no secret that Rita loves love so she jumped at the chance to record a track for Love Is Blind UK. Joy is very much a mini side-project rather than being part of the new album. 'The song will be used on the show and be available to stream but there are no plans for a video or to send it to radio.' Honestly, I don't know when Rita finds the time. 7 Rita Ora has recorded a new song for the upcoming second series of Netflix hit Love Is Blind UK Credit: Getty MARIAH'S PRIDE 'N' JOY 7 Mariah Carey glitters as she hits the stage to headline Brighton Pride Credit: Getty 7 American diva Mariah in a shiny ombre dress and pink jacket Credit: Getty MARIAH CAREY glittered in front of thousands of fans in four different figure-hugging outfits as she hit the stage to headline Brighton Pride. The American diva arrived in a shiny ombre dress and pink jacket, which featured the phrase 'protect the dolls' on the back, as she pledged her support to the trans community. Later, during her 90-minute set, she changed into another dazzling minidress, as well as a gold shift and floor-length black gown. Mariah told the crowd: 'The LGBTQ+ family, both as a community and as individuals have been here for me for so long. I just want you to know that I'll always, always be there for you.' Mariah Carey, 56, wears FOUR figure-hugging outfits and puts on leggy display as she headlines Brighton Pride The show, which featured hits including Fantasy and her new single Sugar Sweet, topped off a day of festivities, ahead of the second day yesterday which was headlined by Sugababes. Earlier on Saturday, Attitude magazine kicked off the annual event with a party at the i360 tower which was attended by Dame Kelly Holmes, Caity Baser and Rob Rinder. CARDI'S FLOP RAP 7 Cardi B is preparing to go fight or flight in this bird-themed feathered outfit Credit: Splash LOOKS like Cardi B is preparing to go fight or flight in this bird-themed feathered outfit. The rapper looked ready for take-off as she entered the ring to kick off the opening night of the WWE Summerslam 2025 wrestling extravaganza in New Jersey on Saturday. But rather than singing or fighting, Cardi was simply there to launch the event, teasing music from her upcoming second album Am I The Drama? As she strutted to the ring, a new Cardi track was blasted through the stadium, sending fans into a meltdown online. Her long-awaited follow-up to 2018's Invasion Of Privacy is out on September 19. Hope it's worth the wait. GAGA IN TRIBUTE TO OZZY 7 Lady Gaga reached out to Kelly Osbourne's family Credit: Getty DESPITE being in the middle of a world tour, Lady Gaga is finding time to support others. I'm told she was so moved by the death of Ozzy Osbourne that she sent a huge bouquet to his grieving wife Sharon and the family. The move is a full-circle moment for the two women after Sharon branded the hitmaker an attention-seeker in 2013. That came after Gaga locked horns with her daughter Kelly Osbourne after she criticised the singer for not stopping to greet fans. A source said: 'The flowers must have cost hundreds but Gaga wanted to reach out. 'Gaga has always been a huge fan of Ozzy and the Osbournes – before she was famous she even used to strip to Black Sabbath's Black Sabbath. "She once told Ozzy – he found it hilarious.' The kind gesture comes after Gaga closed her San Francisco show last month by belting out Ozzy's 1980 hit Crazy Train as a tribute. CHAPPELL SLINKS IN 7 Chappell Roan slipped into Oasis's latest London gig undetected Credit: Getty - Contributor SHE'S one of the biggest stars on the planet, but Chappell Roan was able to slip into Oasis's latest London gig undetected. The singer, who released new single The Subway last week, was seen in the crowd at Wembley on Saturday – singing away to the hits. Frank Lampard and Nicole Appleton also snubbed a swanky suite to mix with regular fans. OASIS fever is still sweeping the UK. Yesterday the Y Not Festival in Derbyshire was forced to upgrade tribute act Noasis to the main stage. They were due to play an 800-capacity slot but bosses had a rethink after more than double that number of guests saved the slot on their festival app. The Diana Mixtape musical @ Outernet, London ★★★★☆ 7 Hear'Say's Noel Sullivan and actress Lucinda Lawrence Credit: Supplied YOU might think a stage musical about Princess Diana would be sad, yet The Diana Mixtape is anything but. With five world-class drag queens from RuPaul's Drag Race playing the People's Princess while singing classics from Kylie, Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish, it's utterly joyous from start to finish. The crowd at Outernet London lapped it up. A shout out also needs to go to Hear'Say's Noel Sullivan and actress Lucinda Lawrence, for their Charles and Camilla romp to Dua Lipa's Physical. Hilarious. Greatest Showman star Keala Settle brought even more fun as Elizabeth II, but ultimately it was the queens who shone brightest. It's on at Outernet until Sunday then The Lowry, Salford, from August 19-21. OLIVIA RODRIGO's 2021 album Sour is still breaking records. The release has become the first album on Spotify to have four songs with more than two billion streams each. Traitor, Drivers License, Deja Vu and Good 4 U have all passed the milestone. Not bad for an album the US star wrote when she was just 17.
