MGM+ Drama 'The Westies' Deploys Authentic 1980s New York Setting
The Westies, a new MGM+ crime drama, recreates 1980s New York in a completely analogue process, without using AI. The show's creators built a replica of Hell's Kitchen in Toronto, using blue screens for VFX backgrounds. The two-episode premiere drops this weekend, led by J.K. Simmons as Eamonn Sweeney.
Key points
- The Westies, a new MGM+ crime drama, recreates 1980s New York in a completely analogue process, without using AI.
- The show's creators built a replica of Hell's Kitchen in Toronto, using blue screens for VFX backgrounds.
- The two-episode premiere drops this weekend, led by J.K. Simmons as Eamonn Sweeney.
- The Westies ran the streets of Hell's Kitchen for decades from the 1960s, and their story has never been adapted for film or TV before.
- The show's setting is a key aspect of its authenticity, with the creators aiming to transport viewers back to the peak of the 1980s.
The Westies, a new crime drama on MGM+, is set to premiere this weekend with a two-episode drop. The show follows the real-life Irish-American crime family of the same name, led by J.K. Simmons as patriarch Eamonn Sweeney. While their story has never been adapted for film or TV before, the Westies ran the streets of Hell's Kitchen for decades from the 1960s.
The show's creators have opted for a completely analogue process to recreate 1980s New York, without using AI. This involved building a replica of Hell's Kitchen in Toronto, using blue screens for VFX backgrounds. The result is an authentic setting that aims to transport viewers back to the peak of the 1980s.
The Westies is set to join other crime dramas such as MobLand and The Gentleman, which are both returning in September. With its unique setting and authentic recreation of 1980s New York, The Westies is a must-watch for fans of the genre.
Sources
The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.