Creator of Narcos Returns with New Irish Mafia Series Falling into Genre Clichés

The new series "The Westies," created by Chris Brancato and Michael Fains, debuted recently on yes, HOT, and FreeTV, aiming to offer a fresh perspective on the Irish mafia in 1980s New York. The creators emphasize that this mafia was less bound by strict codes and bureaucracy compared to its Italian counterpart, the Gambino family, allowing it to carve out a larger influence despite its smaller size. This series is the third collaboration between Brancato and Fains, following their work on "Narcos," which chronicled Colombian drug cartels, and "Harlem's Godfather," about 1960s Harlem crime boss Bumpy Johnson, as well as "Cocaine Godmother," focusing on Miami's drug wars in the late 1970s.

Despite these promising elements and a well-cast ensemble led by J.K. Simmons as Aimon Sweeney, the Irish gang leader, and Tom Brittney as his more moderate deputy Jimmy Roark, "The Westies" ultimately falls into familiar mafia genre traps. The show recycles typical tropes such as dark hangars, charismatic yet cold bosses, corrupt cops, and clichéd existential musings before violent confrontations. While it accurately and vividly recreates 1980s New York and features strong performances, it lacks originality and fails to captivate beyond genre enthusiasts.

Supporting characters include ambitious Italian mobster John Gotti, portrayed by Amish Allen-Hadley, and law enforcement figures like the weak-willed cop Glenn Keenan (Titus Welliver) and FBI agent Brady Polk (Jessica Frances Dukes), who seeks to dismantle the Gambino family. The relationship between Jimmy Roark and Bridget (Sarah Bolger) offers one of the few genuine emotional anchors without resorting to mafia clichés. Overall, "The Westies" is a well-produced but ultimately uninspired addition to the mafia drama genre, leaving viewers hoping for more innovative storytelling in future installments.