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Grantchester star set for lead role in crime drama dubbed new 'Peaky Blinders'
Grantchester star set for lead role in crime drama dubbed new 'Peaky Blinders'
Tom Brittney, who has played Rev Will Davenport in ITV's Grantchester since 2019, will lead the cast in a major new crime drama
Grantchester star has been cast as the lead in a new period crime drama
Tom Brittney, best known for his role as Reverend Will Davenport in ITV's Grantchester, is set to appear in a thrilling new period crime drama from the creative mind behind Narcos, Chris Brancato.
The 34 year old actor will be joining forces with the esteemed J. K. Simmons, whose illustrious career boasts Oscar recognition for roles in films such as Whiplash, La La Land, and Juno, reports Cambridgeshire Live.
Brittney excitedly shared news of his upcoming project on Instagram, posting: "See you in Hell's Kitchen... Sláinte!". His Grantchester colleagues have been quick to celebrate the announcement, with Robson Green exclaiming: "Boom! ! !".
Rishi Nair, another Grantchester star, also conveyed his congratulations on Instagram, commenting: "Amazing news! ! ! ! Congratulations my man! !"
Tom Brittney has been cast in The Westies
(Image: ITV )
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Set against the raw backdrop of 1980s New York City, the show draws parallels with Peaky Blinders as it delves into the true story of the ferocious Irish-American gang, The Westies.
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A synopsis from Deadline reveals that the eight-part series unfolds during the early '80s, coinciding with the construction of the Jacob Javits Convention Center in the heart of The Westies' territory, Hell's Kitchen, promising a windfall for the Irish-American mobsters.
The synopsis adds: "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.
"However, 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."
Tom is slated to embody the character of James 'Jimmy' Roarke, the fiercely loyal leader of the Westies' youthful wing. He finds guidance in the character played by J. K. Simmons, Eamon Sweeney, who grapples with split allegiances as The Westies form an alliance with the Gambino Crime Family.
Tom's Grantchester co-stars Robson Green and Rishi Nair congraulated him on social media
(Image: Kudos/ITV )
Furthermore, Titus Welliver (notable for his performances in Sons of Anarchy, Bosch) is cast as the troubled NYPD officer, Glenn Keenan, torn between his roots with the Westies and his commitment to law enforcement, along with love for his wayward son.
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Jessica Frances Dukes (acclaimed for her roles in Ozark, Gray Matter) is set to play Birdie Polk, a Special Agent at the helm of the FBI's Gambino Task Force, unwavering in her pursuit to bring down Irish and Italian organised crime networks.
Production of The Westies is scheduled to get underway in Toronto in July, with the series poised for an exclusive first showing on MGM+ in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia. An official release date has yet to be announced.
Amazon MGM Studios Distribution will oversee the worldwide distribution of The Westies in all remaining international territories.
