# MGM+ The Westies series rollout and episode 6 update > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mgm-the-westies-series-debut > Updated: 2026-08-09T15:08:57.000Z. Sources: 22. Developments: 7. MGM+ launched the eight-part crime drama *The Westies* on July 12, 2026, with a two-episode premiere. Created by Chris Brancato and Michael Panés, the series dramatizes the early-1980s Irish-American Westies of Hell’s Kitchen as they clash with the Italian Mafia over construction contracts at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. The show features an ensemble cast including J.K. Simmons (Eamon Sweeney), Titus Welliver (Glenn Keenan), Tom Brittney (Jimmy Roarke), and Jessica Frances Dukes (Agent Birdie Polk. As the season progressed, tensions escalated between the Irish and Italian factions. Episode 3 (“The Starship”) featured a rocket-launcher assault on a Colombian drug lab, while episode 4 (“Favors and Funerals”) highlighted internal betrayals following a stolen cocaine shipment and the murder of Pat Murphy. Episode 6 (“Rad Tad”) served as a major turning point. Jimmy Roarke’s attempt to secure a cocaine deal via a loan from Ruby Stein collapsed after John Gotti intercepted the buyer, leaving Roarke in a precarious position. Concurrently, the storyline involving corrupt NYPD officer Glenn Keenan turned violent; under pressure from Agent Polk to act as an informant, Keenan shifted his focus toward targeting Dukey Sullivan for entrapment. The series, which has received generally positive reviews (approximately 80% on Rotten Tomatoes), follows a weekly Sunday release schedule. The season finale is slated for August 23, 2026. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-09: The Westies episode 6 recap explores collapsing drug deals and character shifts Episode 6 of MGM+'s 'The Westies' features a collapsed cocaine deal involving Jimmy Roarke and intensifying pressure on Glenn Keenan to act as an informant. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/the-westies-episode-6-recap-explores-collapsing-drug-deals-and-character-shifts ### 2026-07-26: The Westies Season 1 Episode Schedule and Recap Highlights MGM+ releases The Westies episode 5 on Aug 2 2026 as part of its weekly schedule, and episode 4 recap shows Jimmy Roarke’s cocaine heist, Gotti’s retaliation, and internal mob betrayals. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/the-westies-season-1-episode-schedule-and-recap-highlights ### 2026-07-20: MGM+ Series ‘The Westies’ Episode 3 Escalates Mob Tensions and Loyalty Themes In “The Westies” episode 3, mob tensions rise as Mickey is tortured, Jimmy negotiates his release, and a raid on a drug lab at the Starship club ends with a rocket‑launcher assault; actor Stanley Morgan notes a 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mgm-series-the-westies-episode-3-escalates-mob-tensions-and-loyalty-themes ### 2026-07-12: The Westies TV series premieres on MGM+ with 1980s Irish‑American gang drama The Westies, an eight‑episode crime drama about a 1980s Irish‑American gang, premiered on MGM+ July 12 2026; it stars J.K. Simmons, Titus Welliver and Tom Brittney and streams via Prime Video and free‑trial TV‑ 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mgm-launches-the-westies-drama-about-1980s-irishamerican-gang-in-new-york ### 2026-07-09: MGM+ launches gritty 1980s crime drama ‘The Westies’ MGM+ debut ‘The Westies’, a gritty 1980s New York gang drama starring J.K. Simmons, Titus Welliver and Tom Brittney, draws mixed reviews with an 80% Rotten Tomatoes score. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mgm-crime-drama-the-westies-debuts-with-strong-reviews ### 2026-06-30: MGM+ to Premiere Crime Drama 'The Westies' on July 12, 2026 MGM+ will debut the eight‑episode crime drama *The Westies* on July 12, 2026, starring J.K. Simmons as an Irish‑American gang leader in 1980s New York, with creators planning future seasons. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mgm-to-premiere-crime-drama-the-westies-on-july-12-2026 ### 2026-06-17: MGM+ releases trailer for ‘The Westies’ series starring J.K. Simmons MGM+ unveiled the trailer for the 8‑episode crime series 'The Westies', set in 1980s New York, starring J.K. Simmons; it premieres July 12 and will stream in the US and several European countries. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mgm-releases-trailer-for-the-westies-series-starring-jk-simmons --- Cite as: MGM+ The Westies series rollout and episode 6 update. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mgm-the-westies-series-debut