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| Loved The Westies? Here Are 19 Crime Series That Deliver the Same Grit. (Photo: MGM+) |
The Westies has quickly become one of those crime dramas that refuses to play it safe. Set against the rough streets of 1980s Hell's Kitchen, the MGM+ series combines organised crime, political ambition, family loyalty and relentless pressure from law enforcement into one gripping story. With J.K. Simmons leading a fictionalised version of the infamous Irish-American gang, viewers have been searching for another series that delivers the same mix of ruthless power struggles, historical atmosphere and morally complicated characters. Thankfully, television has no shortage of ambitious gangsters making terrible life choices with complete confidence.
Fans remain divided over what makes The Westies so addictive. Some believe the series shines because of its grounded portrayal of Irish-American organised crime rather than relying purely on action. Others praise its slow-burning political manoeuvres, while another group simply enjoys watching powerful crime bosses spend entire episodes trying to stop their own crews from falling apart.
Apparently, running a criminal empire involves far more meetings than films ever admitted. If you're looking for shows with similar themes, settings, rivalries or historical crime stories, these are among the strongest choices.
Shows Like THE WESTIES
1. Peaky Blinders (2013–2022)
If The Westies is your latest obsession, Peaky Blinders should probably be your first stop. Set in post-war Birmingham, the series follows Tommy Shelby as he transforms a street gang into a powerful criminal empire while battling rival organisations, politicians and his own increasingly complicated mind.
Like The Westies, it blends family loyalty, business expansion and constant threats from both the authorities and competing gangs. The only difference is that Tommy somehow manages to look stylish while everything around him collapses.
2. Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014)
Set during American Prohibition, Boardwalk Empire follows political boss Nucky Thompson, whose influence stretches across crime, government and business.
Every alliance feels temporary, every handshake hides another agenda and every celebration usually ends badly for somebody. Much like The Westies, the series thrives on organised crime politics and historical authenticity rather than endless shootouts.
3. The Sopranos (1999–2007)
No list of crime dramas feels complete without The Sopranos. Tony Soprano balances family responsibilities with running a Mafia organisation while quietly falling apart under the pressure.
Like Eamon Sweeney, Tony constantly discovers that keeping rivals under control is somehow easier than managing relatives and ambitious subordinates. Crime may pay, but stress definitely collects interest.
4. Gangs of London (2020– )
Modern London becomes a battlefield after the death of a powerful crime boss leaves numerous organisations fighting for control.
Gangs of London shares The Westies' fascination with violent power struggles, shifting alliances and criminal empires facing pressure from every direction. Expect spectacular action alongside surprisingly emotional family conflicts.
5. Godfather of Harlem (2019– )
Inspired by real events, the series follows legendary crime figure Bumpy Johnson as he returns to Harlem to reclaim his territory from rival organisations.
Politics, race, organised crime and community influence all collide, creating a layered period drama that fans of The Westies will immediately appreciate.
6. Brotherhood (2006–2008)
This underrated drama explores two Irish-American brothers in Providence, one involved in organised crime while the other builds a political career.
The family dynamics, divided loyalties and morally grey decisions echo many of the themes explored throughout The Westies, particularly the tension between personal relationships and criminal ambition.
7. Mob City (2013)
Set in 1940s Los Angeles, Mob City focuses on the battle between organised crime and determined law enforcement.
Stylish, atmospheric and filled with dangerous personalities, it captures the same gritty historical mood that gives The Westies much of its appeal.
8. ZeroZeroZero (2020)
This globe-spanning crime thriller follows one cocaine shipment as it passes through powerful criminal organisations across several countries.
While its scope is much larger than The Westies, both series examine how greed, ambition and fragile alliances can quickly spiral into violence.
9. McMafia (2018)
Inspired by international organised crime, McMafia follows Alex Godman, who is reluctantly pulled into his family's criminal connections.
Similar to The Westies, the story explores legacy, loyalty and how impossible it becomes to escape the expectations attached to powerful families.
10. Narcos (2015–2017)
While centred on Colombian drug cartels rather than New York gangs, Narcos offers the same compelling combination of law enforcement investigations, criminal strategy and historical storytelling. Every victory creates another problem, and every solution somehow makes things even worse.
11. Narcos: Mexico (2018–2021)
Expanding the world established by Narcos, this series examines the rise of organised criminal networks in Mexico.
Fans who enjoy the strategic negotiations, shifting alliances and business-minded criminals in The Westies will find plenty to admire here.
12. Black Bird (2022)
Inspired by true events, Black Bird follows a convicted criminal recruited by the FBI to befriend a suspected serial offender inside prison.
Although it focuses less on gangs, it shares The Westies' psychological tension, criminal underworld and constant battle between trust and deception.
13. The Offer (2022)
This might seem like an unusual recommendation, but The Offer explores the making of The Godfather while revealing the surprising influence organised crime had around Hollywood during production.
If the historical crime backdrop fascinated you in The Westies, this series offers an entertaining companion piece.
14. City on a Hill (2019–2022)
Set in 1990s Boston, the series combines corruption, policing and organised crime into an engaging crime thriller. Its morally compromised investigators and deeply flawed criminals create the same layered storytelling that keeps The Westies feeling unpredictable.
15. Animal Kingdom (2016–2022)
Crime becomes a family business in Animal Kingdom, where every relative seems to have mastered manipulation before learning basic communication skills.
The internal power struggles, betrayals and succession battles mirror many of the generational conflicts found within The Westies.
16. Tulsa King (2022– )
Led by Sylvester Stallone, Tulsa King follows an ageing Mafia captain building a new criminal operation after leaving prison.
It shares The Westies' focus on leadership, loyalty and adapting old-school methods to changing circumstances, though it delivers considerably more humour along the way.
17. Kin (2021– )
This Irish crime drama centres on the Kinsella family as they battle rival organisations after one tragic event changes everything.
Family honour, revenge, organised crime and escalating violence make it one of the closest modern companions to The Westies, particularly for viewers interested in Irish criminal families.
18. Love/Hate (2010–2014)
Often regarded as one of Ireland's finest crime dramas, Love/Hate follows rival Dublin gangs battling for influence while friendships slowly crumble under ambition and violence. The grounded storytelling and emotionally driven conflicts make it a natural recommendation for fans of The Westies.
19. Underbelly (2008–2013)
Based on real criminal cases in Australia, Underbelly dramatises the rise and fall of numerous organised crime figures across different eras. Like The Westies, it blends historical events with gripping character drama, showing that criminal empires rarely collapse because of enemies alone. More often than not, they manage to destroy themselves perfectly well.
Whether you enjoy historical crime dramas, Irish-American gangs, Mafia politics, FBI investigations or stories where loyalty changes faster than the weather, these nineteen series capture different pieces of what makes The Westies so compelling.
Some focus on family dynasties, others on organised crime empires or determined investigators, but each delivers layered storytelling where every decision carries consequences. Have you watched any of these already, or is there another hidden crime series that deserves a place alongside The Westies?