Latest news with #Westies
The Spinoff
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
Twenty years on, Outrageous Fortune remains as relevant as ever
Tara Ward reflects on an Outrageous week on The Spinoff. On 12 July, 2005, Outrageous Fortune burst onto our screens and transformed the landscape of New Zealand television. Created by Rachel Lang and James Griffin, the big, bold comedy-drama ran for six award-winning seasons and 108 episodes following the unpredictable exploits of the Wests, a family of career criminals living in West Auckland. It wasn't easy for the Wests to go straight, and Outrageous captured the attention and affection of New Zealanders in a way that no local scripted series had before. The Spinoff spent this week celebrating the 20th anniversary of Outrageous Fortune, and it's been a delightful trip down TV memory lane. We began on Monday with my cover story about how the Wests were born, and how the show was inspired by a news report that writer Rachel Lang heard in the shower one morning in 2003. I'd always thought Outrageous Fortune was an instant success, but it turns out New Zealand audiences were a tough crowd. It took three seasons before our love affair with Outrageous truly blossomed, and the show proved critics wrong over and over again. Across six dramatic seasons, Outrageous burrowed into our national consciousness in a variety of unexpected and colourful ways. I loved Alex Casey's deep dive into the show's spectacular use of swearing, while Liam Rātana took us on a thoughtful trip through Outrageous Fortune's most defining and memorable moments. Gareth Shute explored how the show championed a variety of iconic, sometimes forgotten New Zealand music, and Emma Gleason unpacked the unique style of our favourite Westies in all their leather and leopard-print glory. Tomorrow, actor Siobhan Marshall (who played Pascalle West) ends the week by taking us through her life in television. The legacy of Outrageous Fortune runs deep – even now, it's hard to see someone wearing leopard print without thinking of Cheryl West (and if you're wondering how obsessed New Zealand was with the show, check out this impressive 2010 entry for a Cheryl-lookalike competition in Ashburton). Outrageous Fortune inspired the award-winning prequel series Westside, and several of the show's cast and crew went on to achieve international success, including Antony Starr (The Boys, Banshee) and Robyn Malcolm, who most recently starred in the BAFTA-nominated After the Party and Netflix global hit drama The Survivors. Rewatching Outrageous Fortune reminded me that aspects of the show remain as relevant today as they were in 2005. 'In our real world, we are all encouraged to think that if we just try hard enough and show initiative, we can all be rich and famous,' Lang and Griffin wrote in their original Outrageous pitch. Twenty years later, everyone from politicians to influencers to the media remind us that we too can be wealthy and successful, if we only try hard enough. Lang was inspired to create Outrageous Fortune after she learned the median income for New Zealand women in 2003 was just over $14,000. The week before I spoke to Lang about that memory, the government rushed through changes to pay equity laws, which will predominantly impact the incomes of working-class women. Two decades may have passed, but some things haven't changed. Outrageous Fortune is a New Zealand television success story, a show filled with our voices, our issues and our humour. It's been a joy to spend a week remembering and celebrating the series. Once you've read all our Outrageous Week pieces, do yourself a favour – take a trip back to 2005 and enjoy a West family reunion this weekend.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Titus Welliver To Star In ‘The Westies' MGM+ Series
EXCLUSIVE: Former Bosch star Titus Welliver is back on the cop beat as a lead opposite J.K. Simmons in The Westies, MGM+'s upcoming period crime drama series from co-creator, executive producer and showrunner Chris Brancato. Co-created by Brancato and Michael Panes, 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. 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. More from Deadline 'Bosch' Spinoff 'Ballard' Starring Maggie Q Sets Premiere Date At Prime Video 2025 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming Stephen King Series 'The Institute' Gets Premiere Date At MGM+; First Look Welliver will play Glenn Keenan, a troubled NYPD officer who grew up with the Westies crew, torn between loyalty to the law and love for his wayward son. He likely will spar with Simmons' Eamon Sweeney, the charismatic but ruthless leader of The Westies, in a pairing of two accomplished actors each of whom has headlined their own series. Production on the eight-episode The Westies is slated to begin in July in Toronto with casting by Seth Yanklewitz, CSA and Ben Pollack. Known for his role as LAPD Detective Harry Bosch in the Amazon franchise, Welliver recently starred in the proposed Equalizer spinoff for CBS. He next will be seen in the indie film Ricky, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Welliver is repped by UTA and Leverage of Deadline Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds A Full Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's 'It Ends With Us' Feud In Court, Online & In The Media Where To Watch All The 'John Wick' Movies: Streamers That Have All Four Films
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Titus Welliver to Play NYPD Officer in MGM+ Crime Drama The Westies, Opposite J.K. Simmons
Titus Welliver is returning to law enforcement — and this time, he's going after the mob. The former Bosch star is joining J.K. Simmons in MGM+'s The Westies, a crime drama centered around the real-life titular Irish-American crime gang in 1980s New York City, our sister site Deadline reports. More from TVLine Spider-Noir: Nicolas Cage Suits Up in Superhero Series for MGM+ and Prime Video - WATCH Jon Hamm to Star in MGM+ Drama American Hostage From EP Shawn Ryan The Equalizer Spinoff Not Moving Forward at CBS More specifically, '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,' per the show's official logline. '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. 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.' Welliver is playing Glenn Keenan, described as a 'troubled NYPD officer who grew up with the Westies crew, torn between loyalty to the law and love for his wayward son.' He'll appear opposite J.K. Simmons as mob boss Eamon Sweeney. Chris Brancato serves as showrunner of The Westies, co-creating and executive-producing alongside Michael Panes. Production on the eight-episode season is set to begin in Toronto in July. Welliver is best known for his 10-season run as Harry Bosch, the titular detective in Bosch and its spinoff Bosch: Legacy. The Legacy series finale dropped April 17, ending Welliver's 10-season run as the police detective from the Michael Connelly novels. Best of TVLine Stars Who Almost Played Other TV Roles — on Grey's Anatomy, NCIS, Lost, Gilmore Girls, Friends and Other Shows TV Stars Almost Cast in Other Roles Fall TV Preview: Who's In? Who's Out? Your Guide to Every Casting Move!
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
J.K. Simmons lands major role in new MGM+ crime series
J.K. Simmons is to star in new MGM+ series 'The Westies'. The 70-year-old actor will lead the crime drama - co-created by Chris Brancato and Michael Panes - which is set in the early 1980s when the construction of the Jacob Javitz Convention Center on the Westies' home turf in Hell's Kitchen provides the Irish-American organised crime gang with a financial windfall. Despite being outnumbered 50-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. 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. Announcing Simmons' casting, Head of MGM+, Michael Wright said: "J.K. Simmons is one of the finest actors working today. "His authenticity and intensity bring an invaluable quality to this complex and exhilarating story, and we can't wait to see him bring this unforgettable character to life." Simmons previously won the 2015 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of merciless jazz instructor Fletcher in Whiplash.' Hi filmography contains multiple acclaimed movies and TV shows, including HBO prison drama 'Oz', 'Spider-Man' and 'La La Land'. 'The Westies' is Brancato's third series with MGM+ following the success of his critically acclaimed show 'Godfather of Harlem', starring Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, and the crime thriller 'Hotel Cocaine'. 'The Westies' will go into production in Toronto, Canada, in July and will premiere exclusively on MGM+ in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia. Amazon MGM Studios Distribution will distribute in all other international territories.
Perth Now
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
J.K. Simmons lands major role in new MGM+ crime series
J.K. Simmons is to star in new MGM+ series 'The Westies'. The 70-year-old actor will lead the crime drama - co-created by Chris Brancato and Michael Panes - which is set in the early 1980s when the construction of the Jacob Javitz Convention Center on the Westies' home turf in Hell's Kitchen provides the Irish-American organised crime gang with a financial windfall. Despite being outnumbered 50-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. 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. Announcing Simmons' casting, Head of MGM+, Michael Wright said: "J.K. Simmons is one of the finest actors working today. "His authenticity and intensity bring an invaluable quality to this complex and exhilarating story, and we can't wait to see him bring this unforgettable character to life." Simmons previously won the 2015 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of merciless jazz instructor Fletcher in Whiplash.' Hi filmography contains multiple acclaimed movies and TV shows, including HBO prison drama 'Oz', 'Spider-Man' and 'La La Land'. 'The Westies' is Brancato's third series with MGM+ following the success of his critically acclaimed show 'Godfather of Harlem', starring Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, and the crime thriller 'Hotel Cocaine'. 'The Westies' will go into production in Toronto, Canada, in July and will premiere exclusively on MGM+ in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia. Amazon MGM Studios Distribution will distribute in all other international territories.
