Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
What did it take to bring the infamous Westies to television? J.K. Simmons, Tom Brittney, Titus Welliver, and co-creator/showrunner Chris Brancato pull back the curtain on how The Westies recreated 1980s Hell's Kitchen while balancing real history with dramatic storytelling.
Brancato explains why the series is historical fiction rather than a direct retelling of the real Westies, revealing how he and writing partner Michael Panes captured the spirit of the notorious Irish gang without recreating every historical figure or conversation. The cast also shares how detailed sets, period costumes, vintage cars, and a massive outdoor street build in Toronto transported them back to New York City in 1980.
J.K. Simmons discusses building Eamon Sweeney through costume, Titus Welliver reflects on stepping into Glenn Keenan's world, and Tom Brittney explains how a wig, leather jacket, and a specific cinematic inspiration helped him find Jimmy Roarke. Together, they reveal how production design, writing, and performance combined to create one of television's most immersive crime dramas.
Chapters:
0:00 The true story behind The Westies
0:50 Fact vs. fiction in the series
1:41 Building the cast and bringing the gang together
2:42 Recreating 1980 Hell's Kitchen in Toronto
3:58 Costumes, leather jackets, and character looks
5:17 Tom Brittney's transformation into Jimmy Roarke
5:47 What made these performances work
Our Social Media:
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Our Website
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Video By Maggie Lovitt & Dano GS
For copyright matters, please contact us at: legal@valnetinc.com
#thewesties #jksimmons #collider
What did it take to bring the infamous Westies to television? J.K. Simmons, Tom Brittney, Titus Welliver, and co-creator/showrunner Chris Brancato pull back the curtain on how The Westies recreated 1980s Hell's Kitchen while balancing real history with dramatic storytelling.
Brancato explains why the series is historical fiction rather than a direct retelling of the real Westies, revealing how he and writing partner Michael Panes captured the spirit of the notorious Irish gang without recreating every historical figure or conversation. The cast also shares how detailed sets, period costumes, vintage cars, and a massive outdoor street build in Toronto transported them back to New York City in 1980.
J.K. Simmons discusses building Eamon Sweeney through costume, Titus Welliver reflects on stepping into Glenn Keenan's world, and Tom Brittney explains how a wig, leather jacket, and a specific cinematic inspiration helped him find Jimmy Roarke. Together, they reveal how production design, writing, and performance combined to create one of television's most immersive crime dramas.
Chapters:
0:00 The true story behind The Westies
0:50 Fact vs. fiction in the series
1:41 Building the cast and bringing the gang together
2:42 Recreating 1980 Hell's Kitchen in Toronto
3:58 Costumes, leather jackets, and character looks
5:17 Tom Brittney's transformation into Jimmy Roarke
5:47 What made these performances work
Our Social Media:
facebook.com/collider
x.com/Collider
Our Website
collider.com
Video By Maggie Lovitt & Dano GS
For copyright matters, please contact us at: legal@valnetinc.com
#thewesties #jksimmons #collider
