NEW YORK, July 12 (UPI) – Oscar-winning actor J.K. Simmons, known for his intense performances in films like Whiplash and Spider-Man, has once again proven his acting chops in the new series ‘The Westies,’ which premiered on MGM+ on July 12. In this gripping drama, Simmons takes on the role of Eamon Sweeney, a ruthless and cunning gang leader who demands loyalty from his followers.
According to Simmons, Sweeney’s character is built on a foundation of mentor-protege relationships with the young gang members who work for him. ‘He expects loyalty from everybody and grants loyalty to precious few,’ Simmons explained in a recent Zoom interview. This complex dynamic is at the heart of the show, as Sweeney’s relationships with his loyal followers are put to the test in a world where loyalty is a luxury few can afford.
Set in the 1980s in the Manhattan neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen, ‘The Westies’ follows the titular Irish-American gang as they navigate the treacherous landscape of organized crime. The show explores the tensions between the older and younger generations, as well as the clash between cultures in New York City during this era. ‘That was one of the things that jumped off the page to me, reading just the pilot script, the first episode, which is all we get to read before we decide if we want to be involved or not,’ Simmons said.
Simmons’ character, Sweeney, is a master manipulator who knows how to get what he wants from those around him. ‘He’s a smart guy who knows he has to change with the times to survive,’ Simmons explained. ‘This sometimes means listening to younger members of the group who challenge him.’ However, as the show progresses, it becomes clear that Sweeney’s loyalty is not to be trusted, and those who follow him must be prepared for the consequences.
Co-starring alongside Simmons is Tom Brittney, who plays Sweeney’s right-hand man, Jimmy Roarke. ‘Jimmy is sort of Sweeney’s lieutenant, kind of the guy he sends to do some of the dirty work,’ Brittney explained. ‘There’s a little dose of being a surrogate son, someone who’s taken under his wing at a very young age and kind of groomed to be the criminal that he is.’
The show also explores the complex history of the Irish-American gang, and the sense of loyalty and belonging that comes with it. ‘There’s always a sense of the clan of the Irish, the gang, and the history of Ireland and the sense of the ferociously loyal, familial underdog,’ Simmons said.
As the series progresses, the stakes become higher, and the tension between Sweeney and his followers reaches a boiling point. Will Sweeney’s loyalty be rewarded, or will those who follow him be left to suffer the consequences? One thing is certain – ‘The Westies’ is a gripping drama that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
