Chris Brancato, the writer and producer known for his work on crime dramas such as “Narcos” and “Narcos: Mexico,” has shifted his focus to one of New York City’s most notorious and violent Irish gangs in his latest series, “The Westies.” The show premiered recently on MGM+ and explores the activities of the Westies, a small but brutal gang from Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, during the early 1980s.

“The Westies” serves as a quasi-extension of the historical crime drama “Godfather of Harlem,” co-created by Brancato. The series is set against the backdrop of the construction of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, a major development project funneling significant funds into the neighborhood. This influx of money creates a fertile environment for organized crime, with the Westies exerting considerable influence despite being outmatched by the more established Italian Mafia.

Led by the composed Eamon Sweeney, portrayed by J.K. Simmons, the Westies maintain control over local unions and engage in construction scams, bid-rigging, and no-show jobs—activities Brancato says were typical for the group during that era. Their dominance forces the Italians, including a young John Gotti, played by Hamish Allan-Headley, into a tense and unstable alliance with the Irish gang.

Brancato describes the Westies as a violent and often unruly group that challenges conventional definitions of organized crime. The series also incorporates elements involving Harlem drug kingpins, South American cocaine traffickers, and arms smuggling linked to the Provisional Irish Republican Army, reflecting the complex criminal networks of the early 1980s.

Law enforcement efforts feature prominently in the storyline, including an FBI task force and a corrupt Irish cop portrayed by Titus Welliver, adding layers of internal conflict and moral ambiguity.

In an interview, Brancato elaborated on the genesis of the show, revealing that the idea originated during his work on “Godfather of Harlem,” where he initially envisioned the Westies as adversaries to Forest Whitaker’s character, Bumpy Johnson. The concept quickly evolved into a standalone series after encouragement from MGM+ leadership.

Addressing the challenges of depicting such a violent group, Brancato emphasized the need to create characters that viewers could root for despite their brutality. To accomplish this, the show introduces generational tensions within the Westies and frames their rivalry with the Italian Mafia in a way that makes the Irish gang appear somewhat less sinister in comparison. This narrative strategy aims to engage audiences with complex characters rather than outright villains.

Brancato also reflected on the enduring appeal of crime dramas, attributing their popularity to a fascination with characters who break societal rules, allowing viewers to vicariously experience transgression and moral boundary-crossing.

Historically, the Westies were a relatively small group—about 20 members—but their influence extended far beyond their numbers, particularly due to their reputation for extreme violence and expertise in disposing of bodies. The show does not shy away from portraying this brutality, incorporating graphic scenes that underscore the gang’s ruthless nature.

“The Westies” thus attempts to balance a gritty, realistic portrayal of organized crime with character-driven storytelling that explores the motivations and internal dynamics of one of New York’s most infamous criminal outfits during a turbulent period in the city’s history.