Narcos creator is making new crime drama show about infamous Irish gang

Coming from the co-creator of Godfather of Harlem, Narcos and Narcos: Mexico, he has called the series a 'passion project' for him.

Named after the New York City-based gang, the eight-episode show will be set in the early 1980s "when the construction of the Jacob Javitz Convention Center on the Westies’ home turf in Hell’s Kitchen promises a financial windfall".

The plot synopsis adds: "Despite being outnumbered fifty-to-one by the Five Families of the Italian Mafia, the Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente. 

"But internal conflict between the brash younger generation and the old-school leadership threatens to set a match to this powder keg, which will sweep the Westies into the FBI’s ever-deepening investigation into the Italian mafia."

Brancato will serve as showrunner on the crime drama series, which he co-created alongside actor and writer Michael Panes (Godfather of Harlem).

Being made for US streaming service MGM+, The Westies is scheduled to go into production in Toronto, Canada in July.

“We are thrilled to bring our viewers another provocative, exciting crime drama from the incomparable vision of Chris Brancato,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+, in a statement.

“Chris is a gifted showrunner who builds his stories around compelling characters operating in dangerous worlds about to explode. The Westies is him at his best, and we can’t wait to bring it to our MGM+ audience.”

Brancato added: “The Westies has been a passion project of mine, and I can’t wait to bring it to life.

"This is a story about ambition, loyalty, and power, set against the backdrop of 1980s New York.

"I’m grateful to be working again alongside my collaborators Michael Panes and most especially with Michael Wright and the entire MGM+ team.”

As MGM+ is not available in Ireland, it is not yet known where Irish viewers will be able to watch The Westies.