Titus Welliver’s New Gritty Crime Series Debuts To Solid Rotten Tomatoes Score

Titus Welliver‘s new show is off to a rocking start.

The veteran actor is known for his roles in a variety of crime dramas, whether it’s his defining role as Harry Bosch or his memorable turns in fan-favorite series like Deadwood and Sons of Anarchy. He’s now lending that experience to a new MGM+ Original, The Westies, which has Welliver teaming up with Academy Award nominee J.K. Simmons.

The Westies currently sits at 80% on Rotten Tomatoes. The score is based on only five reviews at this point, with one review leaning negative. The average of rated reviews, based on numerical and letter grades that critics give, has the crime drama at 6.50/10. It’s worth noting that the score will fluctuate once more reviews are added in the coming days and weeks.

Debuting on MGM+ on July 12 and consisting of eight episodes, The Westies is based on the real Irish gang of the same name. It is set in the early 1980s, beginning at a critical turning point. It opens as construction of the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Hell’s Kitchen brings the possibility of huge financial rewards for the titular Irish mob. Even though they are heavily outnumbered by the Italian Mafia’s Five Families, the Westies believe they have enough leverage to secure a share of the profits.

It’s a deal that’s based on a tentative peace, brought to the screen by Tom Brittney, Jessica Frances Dukes, and Simmons. Welliver completes the leading foursome in the role of Glenn Keenan, whom Welliver describes as the “anti-Harry Bosch.”

Stanley Morgan, Sarah Bolger, Allen Leech, Hamish Allan-Headley, Vincent Walsh, Hilary McCormack, Aidan Wojtak-Hissong, Jeremy Walmsley, and Dylan Taylor also star in the drama, which hails from Narcos co-creator Chris Brancato and Michael Panes. That experience in the crime drama genre looks to benefit The Westies, based on early assessments.

Collider‘s David Caballero ensures audiences will have a good time with The Westies, making the point that the story exists as part of a long line of tough heroes that are fun to watch. Welliver is especially praised as a standout, with the review nonetheless that the latest streaming entry is a familiar narrative that’s enlivened by the talent in front of and behind the camera.

It’ll be intriguing to watch how the reception to The Westies evolves and changes with more reviews. There’s also the audience score to consider once the series finally starts releasing week-to-week.

The Westies debuts with two episodes on July 12 on MGM+

Release Date

July 12, 2026

Network

MGM+

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  J.K. Simmons

  Eamon Sweeney

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  Tom Brittney

  James ‘Jimmy’ Roarke

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  Jessica Frances Dukes

  Birdie Polk