‘Westies’ Brings a Gripping Drama to the Screen
Titus Welliver, known for his iconic roles in ‘Lost’ and ‘Bosch,’ has found himself immersed in a captivating character in the new period drama ‘Westies.’ In this gripping series, Welliver plays Glenn Keenan, a New York cop caught between the FBI and the Irish mob, both vying for his loyalty.
Loyalty can be a treacherous path, especially when there’s a deal on the table. As Keenan navigates the complex web of alliances, he finds himself torn between his duty to the law and his personal connections. In a recent interview with UPI, Welliver shared his thoughts on the character, highlighting the nuances of Keenan’s personality.
‘He’s just a very juicy character because he’s neither good nor bad,’ Welliver explained. ‘I would never stigmatize a character by making them either/or, but you find a character who is lost, who’s completely trying to navigate life without a compass that he once had, but he’s living in this arrested state of development.’
Keenan’s story is a poignant exploration of a man struggling to find his place in a world that seems to be moving beyond him. As he grapples with the consequences of his choices, he is drawn into a world of crime and corruption, where the lines between right and wrong are constantly blurred.
‘It’s almost like he’s waiting for his life really to end, because his existence is kind of a nonexistence,’ Welliver noted. ‘Then he’s suddenly pulled and thrust into this Gambino squad that he does not want any part of and, yet, he doesn’t have a choice. So, it’s fun stuff to play.’
The series, set in the Manhattan neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen in the 1980s, follows Keenan as he becomes embroiled in a complex web of alliances and rivalries. With the Irish mob boss Eamon Sweeney (J.K. Simmons) and the FBI special agent Birdie Polk (Jessica Frances Dukes) vying for his loyalty, Keenan finds himself at the center of a maelstrom of violence and deception.
‘He’s a deeply provincial guy and he’s been completely estranged from his son since the death of his wife,’ Welliver explained. ‘Suddenly, the things line up, because Polk shows him a photograph of his son talking to Eddie Breen, who is Eamon Sweeney’s lieutenant, and that sort of lights a fire in him.’
As Keenan navigates the treacherous landscape of 1980s New York City, he is forced to confront the harsh realities of his own existence. With the help of his estranged son Danny (Aidan Wojtak-Hissong), Keenan must find a way to redeem himself and make amends for past mistakes.
With its gripping storyline and complex characters, ‘Westies’ is a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and period pieces alike. The series airs new episodes on MGM+ Sundays, offering a glimpse into a world of crime and corruption that is both fascinating and terrifying.
Welliver’s performance as Keenan is a standout aspect of the series, bringing depth and nuance to a complex character. As he navigates the web of alliances and rivalries, Keenan is forced to confront the harsh realities of his own existence and the consequences of his choices.
The 1980s setting of the series adds an extra layer of complexity, with the lack of modern investigative tools making it a challenging time for law enforcement. ‘You didn’t have computers. You didn’t have the Internet,’ Welliver noted. ‘It was real ‘shoe leather police work and it was also at a time where, particularly with the crack cocaine epidemic, that, suddenly, you had all these little sawed-off gangsters.’
The series is a gripping exploration of a world in turmoil, with Welliver’s performance at the center. As Keenan navigates the complex web of alliances and rivalries, he is forced to confront the harsh realities of his own existence and the consequences of his choices.
With its gripping storyline and complex characters, ‘Westies’ is a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and period pieces alike. The series airs new episodes on MGM+ Sundays, offering a glimpse into a world of crime and corruption that is both fascinating and terrifying.
As the series unfolds, Keenan’s story becomes increasingly complex, with the lines between right and wrong constantly blurred. With the help of his estranged son Danny, Keenan must find a way to redeem himself and make amends for past mistakes.
The series is a poignant exploration of a man struggling to find his place in a world that seems to be moving beyond him. As he grapples with the consequences of his choices, Keenan is drawn into a world of crime and corruption, where the lines between right and wrong are constantly blurred.
With its gripping storyline and complex characters, ‘Westies’ is a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and period pieces alike. The series airs new episodes on MGM+ Sundays, offering a glimpse into a world of crime and corruption that is both fascinating and terrifying.
