Story perspectives

MGM+ Debuts “The Westies” Crime Saga Starring J.K. Simmons

7/13/2026

Summary

MGM+ Launches Westies

MGM+ launched “The Westies” on July 12, 2026, starring J.K. Simmons as Eamon Sweeney and Titus Welliver as corrupt officer Keenan.
The series follows the 1979-1986 Javits Center construction, showing Westies extortion, murders and ties with Jimmy Coonan and John Gotti.
Critics praise the soundtrack, note the show avoids glorifying crime, and say episodes air Sundays at 9:00 p.m. ET, with T.J. English adding the Javits racket helped bring Westies down.

Summary

Westings Premieres

The Westings premiered globally on MGM+ on Sunday, July 12, 2026, with new episodes scheduled each week at 9 p.m. ET.
The series is marketed as a must-watch crime thriller for fans of Peaky Blinders and Sons of Anarchy and is positioned as a streaming-first release.
Viewers outside the United States can stream the show via a VPN such as NordVPN, which the guide advertises as 100 % risk free.

Summary

Coonan Sentenced

In 1988 Jimmy Coonan received a 75-year sentence for racketeering, extortion and murders.
Former enforcer Mickey Featherstone testified against the gang, providing insider evidence.
The judge called Coonan “a man without any redeeming features,” denied parole and set his release for June 1 2030 at age 83.
The 1985 Intrepid Museum bankruptcy revealed the Westies’ skimming scheme, which Brancato and Panes say inspired characters Sweeney and Roarke.

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MGM+ Launches Westies

MGM+ launched “The Westies” on July 12, 2026, starring J.K. Simmons as Eamon Sweeney and Titus Welliver as corrupt officer Keenan.
The series follows the 1979-1986 Javits Center construction, showing Westies extortion, murders and ties with Jimmy Coonan and John Gotti.
Critics praise the soundtrack, note the show avoids glorifying crime, and say episodes air Sundays at 9:00 p.m. ET, with T.J. English adding the Javits racket helped bring Westies down.

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