Sarah Bolger is stepping into the dangerous world of 1980s Hell’s Kitchen as she joins the cast of MGM+’s highly anticipated crime series THE WESTIES. The Irish actress, who has been building an impressive resume in recent years through standout performances in MAYANS MC and films like A GOOD WOMAN IS HARD TO FIND, is set to bring her dramatic prowess to this gritty new project from Narcos creator Chris Brancato.
The 34-year-old actress will portray Bridget Walsh, a steely and calculating IRA operative with a troubled past who becomes entangled in the violent world of New York’s most notorious Irish gang. Her character serves as the girlfriend of Jimmy Roarke and is described as passionate about saving Ireland from British oppression, adding layers of political complexity to an already volatile narrative. Bolger joins an impressive ensemble cast led by Oscar winner J.K. Simmons, who takes on the role of crime boss Eamonn Sweeney, alongside Tom Brittney, Titus Welliver, and Jessica Frances Dukes.
This casting represents a significant career moment for Bolger, who has been steadily ascending in Hollywood’s ranks following her breakout role in Jim Sheridan’s 2002 film IN AMERICA. Her recent work has showcased remarkable range, from her compelling turn as Emily Thomas in the FX series MAYANS MC to her powerful performance in the thriller A GOOD WOMAN IS HARD TO FIND. She’s also demonstrated versatility across genres with appearances in COUNTERPART, ONCE UPON A TIME, INTO THE BADLANDS, and films like DESCENDANT and END OF SENTENCE.
Set against the backdrop of early 1980s New York, THE WESTIES explores the true story of Hell’s Kitchen’s infamously brutal Irish gang during a pivotal moment in their history. The construction of the Jacob Javitz Convention Center on their home turf promises unprecedented financial opportunities, but the Westies find themselves navigating treacherous waters. Despite being vastly outnumbered by the Five Families of the Italian Mafia, their legendary brutality and cunning have earned them a place at the table through a fragile détente that threatens to shatter at any moment.
The series promises to deliver the same gritty authenticity that made Brancato’s previous work on NARCOS and NARCOS: MEXICO so compelling. Internal conflicts between the old guard and ambitious younger members create a powder keg situation that inevitably draws the attention of federal investigators already deep into probing Italian organized crime. This volatile mix of ambition, loyalty, and power provides the perfect backdrop for Bolger to showcase the dramatic intensity she’s been honing throughout her recent career.
For Brancato, who serves as executive producer and showrunner, THE WESTIES represents a passion project years in the making and his third collaboration with MGM+ following the critical success of GODFATHER OF HARLEM and the crime thriller HOTEL COCAINE. The eight-episode series has already begun production in Toronto, positioning itself as another potentially groundbreaking entry in the crime drama genre.
Bolger’s involvement in THE WESTIES signals her continued evolution as one of Ireland’s most promising international talents. Her ability to embody complex, morally ambiguous characters has become her calling card, making her an ideal fit for a series that promises to explore the darker corners of Irish-American identity and the brutal realities of organized crime. As she steps into the role of Bridget Walsh, audiences can expect another nuanced performance from an actress who has consistently chosen projects that challenge both herself and viewers’ expectations.
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