‘Bosch’ Fans Have a New Crime Drama to Watch as Titus Welliver’s ‘The Westies’ Gets Rated on Rotten Tomatoes
MGM+ is bringing viewers back to the dangerous streets of 1980s New York with its new crime drama series ‘The Westies,’ and early reviews suggest the show could be a solid addition to the crime genre. The series, which stars ‘Bosch’ actor Titus Welliver alongside an impressive cast, has now received its first Rotten Tomatoes score.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, ‘The Westies’ currently holds an 80% Tomatometer score based on five reviews. While the number of reviews is still small, critics have mostly praised the show’s performances, pacing, and crime story, with several reviewers pointing out that the series delivers a familiar but entertaining gangster drama.
The MGM+ series is set in Hell’s Kitchen during the 1980s and focuses on two men who grew up together but end up following completely different paths. One becomes a police officer, while the other becomes involved with the Westies, the infamous Irish-American criminal gang that controlled parts of Manhattan during that era.
Titus Welliver plays Glenn Keenan, while the cast also includes J.K. Simmons as Eamon Sweeney, Tom Brittney as James “Jimmy” Roarke, Jessica Frances Dukes as Birdie Polk, Stanley Morgan as Mickey Flanagan, Sarah Bolger as Bridget Walsh, Allen Leech as Brendan Cahill, and Hamish Allan-Headly as John Gotti.
Several critics highlighted the performances from the cast, especially Welliver and Simmons. Richard Roeper of RogerEbert.com gave the series a positive review, describing it as “a well-crafted, B-movie version of Scorsese” and praising the “electric performances from a stellar cast led by J.K. Simmons and Titus Welliver.”
TV Guide’s Keith Phipps also gave the series a positive response, saying “it’s fast-paced, cleverly plotted, well played, and never less than compelling.” The review gave the show a 7 out of 10 rating, suggesting that while it may not completely reinvent the crime genre, it delivers an engaging story for fans of the style.
Brittany Frederick of TVBrittanyF.com also praised the series, calling it “a well-oiled, well-executed machine of creative mayhem” and giving it a B grade.
However, not every critic was impressed. M.N. Miller of FandomWire gave the series a negative review, arguing that the show struggles to bring enough energy to its crime story. Miller wrote that “The Westies has the look of prestige television without the pulse, a saga with blood on its hands but very little under its fingernails.”
Collider’s David Caballero was more positive, saying that viewers who enjoy traditional crime stories will likely have a good time with the series. He noted that fans of “tough men doing bad things and traditional tales of underworld crime” may find plenty to enjoy.
What do you think about ‘The Westies’ first Rotten Tomatoes score?
With its 1980s setting, gangster-focused storyline, and a cast led by Welliver and Simmons, ‘The Westies’ appears to be aiming for fans who enjoy classic crime dramas. The early Rotten Tomatoes score suggests the series may not completely break new ground, but it could still offer a strong character-driven story for viewers looking for another trip into the world of organized crime.
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