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The Westies: Why Real Gangsters Were Renamed | Set Stories
A new Collider "Set Stories" video feature explores how the upcoming series *The Westies* recreates the real-life Irish-American gang that terrorised Hell's Kitchen, New York, during the 1980s. Cast members J.K. Simmons, Tom Brittney and Titus Welliver join co-creator and showrunner Chris Brancato to discuss the challenges of adapting notorious real gangsters for television, including why certain figures were given fictionalised names.
The piece centres on balancing historical accuracy with dramatic licence, as the production team recreates the period setting and atmosphere of 1980s Hell's Kitchen. Brancato, alongside the cast, explains the creative reasoning behind altering names of real criminals depicted in the show, addressing how the series navigates the line between true crime history and scripted storytelling.
In short
- Collider video explores TV adaptation of the real Westies gang
- Cast and showrunner discuss 1980s Hell's Kitchen setting
- Explains why some real gangsters' names were changed for the show
Explained simply
The Westies were a real Irish-American organised crime gang that controlled Hell's Kitchen in New York City during the 1980s. The gang became known for violent crimes and dominance in their neighbourhood throughout that decade.
An upcoming television series dramatises the Westies' history as a scripted drama for viewers. Adapting real crimes and real people for television raises questions about how much accuracy to maintain versus creative freedom.
When real criminals appear in television dramatisations, producers often choose to alter their names and some details. This decision reflects the tension between creating compelling drama and presenting an honest account of historical events.