Latest news with #Westies'
Irish Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Sarah Bolger to star in Irish-American crime series from the creator of Narcos
IRISH actress Sarah Bolger is to star in a new Irish-American crime series from Narcos creator Chris Brancato. The Westies is described as a gritty and kinetic crime drama that centres on New York City's infamously violent Irish gang of the same name. According to Variety, 34-year-old Bolger will star as IRA operative Bridget Walsh. She will link up with Oscar winner JK Simmons, who will lead the cast as crime boss Eamonn Sweeney. The new series from MGM+ 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. "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," reads the synopsis. "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." 'Passion project' Bolger rose to fame after starring in Jim Sheridan's 2002 film, In America, and later played Mary Tudor in the BBC series, The Tudors. She also had a main role in the recent Sons of Anarchy spin-off, Mayans MC. Brancato, who will serve as executive producer and showrunner, said the series had been a 'passion project' of his for some time. "This is a story about ambition, loyalty, and power, set against the backdrop of 1980s New York," he added. "I'm grateful to be working again alongside my collaborators Michael Panes (co-creator) and most especially with Michael Wright (Head of MGM+) and the entire MGM+ team." The eight-episode series marks his third collaboration with MGM+ following the success of the critically-acclaimed Godfather of Harlem and the crime thriller Hotel Cocaine. He previously created the Netflix series Narcos and its spin-off Narcos: Mexico. The Westies went into production this month in Toronto, Canada and will premiere on MGM+. See More: Sarah Bolger, The Westies
Sunday World
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Oscar winner signs up to star in new series about infamous Irish-American gang
The show is set to begin filming this summer 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.
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.
