Narcos creator’s new series about Irish gang gets exciting update from star

'I don't think I've ever played such a badass before, and a fierce Irish woman.'

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."

The Westies cast includes Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons (Whiplash), Titus Welliver (Bosch) and Ireland's own Sarah Bolger (In America, Mayans M.C.).

JOE caught up with Bolger on the IFTA red carpet last night (Friday, 20 February) and asked her about what people can expect from the upcoming crime drama.

She told us:

"I think that show may be one of the coolest things I've ever been part of.

"Chris Brancato, who's our showrunner and creator, and Michael Panes, our other writer, they did such an impeccable job with creating this 1980s New York.

"Bridget is the character I play. I don't think I've ever played such a badass before, and a fierce Irish woman. I cannot tell you how proud I am of not only the work but the entirety of the project.

"That'll come out hopefully this year. I don't have a date, but hopefully this year."

You can watch a clip of the actresses' comments below:

Bolger was also full of praise for Brancato, adding: "He's incredible. Chris Brancato has a brilliant mind.

"He's so creative, he's so thoughtful, and my God, he's so kind because he always picks up the phone when I call him with stupid questions," she said, laughing.

Being made for US streaming service MGM+, it is not yet known where Irish viewers will be able to watch The Westies when it comes out.

JOE also asked Bolger about her acclaimed sci-fi movie Descendant, which came out in the States last August but has not had an Ireland or UK release yet.

Holding an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score, the film follows Sean (Ross Marquand, Avengers: Infinity War), a troubled father-to-be who begins to experience strange visions after a mysterious light appears in the sky.

"He races to face his demons before his growing obsession consumes him," the plot synopsis adds, with Bolger playing Sean's wife Andrea in the movie.

Descendant is produced by Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson, the duo behind such cult indie mind-bending sci-fi films as The Endless, Spring, and Synchronic.

We asked Bolger when the sci-fi will be getting an Irish and UK release, to which she responded:

"I would say it has to be this year, if not spring. That movie is incredible.

"Playing a role like that, with like the Rustic Films [Benson and Moohead's production company] people, who did some of the most incredible sci-fi mind-bending projects you can possibly imagine...

"I think those filmmakers are very cool and they made just such a sleek sci-fi drama."

Descendant and The Westies are expected to be released in Ireland sometime in 2026.