J.K. Simmons’ Gritty Crime Thriller Becomes a Streaming Hit With 103 Consecutive Days in the Top 10

While Sylvester Stallone’s Tulsa King returns for its fourth season, another crime thriller has quietly become one of streaming’s most consistent successes.

The Westies, starring J.K. Simmons, has spent 103 consecutive days in MGM+’s top 10, establishing an impressive run since its debut earlier this year.

Created by Chris Brancato and Michael Panes, the series combines the gritty criminal world associated with Taylor Sheridan’s dramas with the ruthless gangland rivalries familiar from Guy Ritchie’s films.

As of October 25, 2026, The Westies ranked fifth among MGM+’s most popular titles, behind shows including From, American Hostage and Treasure Island.

Although it has not reached the top spot, its sustained chart performance suggests continued interest months after its premiere.

J.K. Simmons Leads a Brutal Crime Story Set in 1980s New York

Inspired by the notorious Irish-American gang of the same name, The Westies takes viewers into the dangerous criminal underworld of 1980s Hell’s Kitchen.

Simmons stars as Eamon Sweeney, a powerful Irish mob boss determined to protect his territory while expanding his influence.

His ambitions are complicated by a fragile truce with the Italian-American Gambino crime family, where shifting loyalties threaten to ignite a wider conflict.

Meanwhile, the FBI and NYPD are closing in on the gang’s operations.

Titus Welliver plays Glen Keenan, a corrupt police officer caught between his responsibilities to the law and the financial rewards of working with criminals.

The ensemble also features Sarah Bolger, Tom Brittney, Jessica Frances Dukes, Hilary McCormack and Vincent Walsh.

Blending fictionalized storytelling with real organized-crime history, the series explores corruption, betrayal and the struggle for control of New York’s criminal underworld.

The Westies Earns Positive Reviews From Critics and Viewers

The crime thriller has received a generally favorable reception, earning a 74% critics’ score and a 76% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Although reviewers have acknowledged that its premise follows familiar gangster-drama conventions, the series has been praised for its compelling characters, solid storytelling and experienced cast.

Simmons anchors the drama as a formidable crime boss, while Welliver adds tension through his portrayal of a police officer whose loyalties are increasingly compromised.

The show’s combination of organized-crime politics and character-driven suspense makes it an appealing choice for viewers who enjoy Tulsa King and other gritty crime dramas.

Will The Westies Return for Season 2?

Despite its impressive streaming performance, MGM+ has not officially renewed The Westies for a second season.

The first season concluded in August 2026, leaving its future uncertain.

However, creators Brancato and Panes have reportedly mapped out a storyline spanning multiple seasons, suggesting they have plans to continue exploring the characters and their criminal empire.

Whether those plans move forward will depend on MGM+’s renewal decision.

For now, The Westies remains one of the platform’s notable crime thriller successes of 2026, with its 103-day top-10 streak demonstrating its staying power.

The first season is available to stream on MGM+.