Rise and fall of 'The Westies,' New York's last Irish gang, as new series charts their murders and shakedowns

A new crime drama series titled 'The Westies' has premiered on MGM+, focusing on the history of the gang identified as New York's last Irish gang. According to reports from the New York Post, the series specifically charts the rise and subsequent fall of this criminal organization, detailing their involvement in a series of murders and shakedowns within the city. The production is part of a broader creative effort by Chris Brancato, who is described by The New York Times as expanding what is referred to as his 'Scumbag Universe' with this new project. Coverage of the series has been featured across multiple outlets, including the New York Post and the Financial Times, the latter of which has provided a review of the show. The reception has been mixed among viewers, leading to a public response from the production.

Yahoo reports that stars of 'The Westies' have had to address complaints from fans who claim the drama is too tame. In response to these criticisms regarding the level of violence or grit, the stars suggested that some critics might be better off not even watching the trailer. To understand the context of this trend, the series focuses on the specific criminal sociology of the Westies, an Irish gang operating in New York. The narrative arc follows the group's ascent to power and their eventual decline, emphasizing the brutality of their operations through the depiction of shakedowns and killings. This historical focus on the last of the city's Irish gangs provides the foundation for the series' plot and the 'Scumbag Universe' thematic elements developed by creator Chris Brancato.

Moving forward, observers are watching the public and critical reaction to the MGM+ series as it unfolds. While the Financial Times has already issued a review, the ongoing dialogue between the cast and the fanbase regarding the show's tone remains a point of interest. The coverage indicates that the tension between the actual history of the gang's murders and the television adaptation's presentation is a primary driver of current discourse surrounding the series.