The Westies season 2: MGM+ renewal status after season 1 finale
MGM+ has not officially renewed or cancelled The Westies for season 2 as of late August 2026. Creators Chris Brancato and Michael Panes say they are confident a second season is coming, while stars Tom Brittney and Sarah Bolger are cautiously optimistic after the season 1 finale aired Sunday, August 23, at 9 p.m. ET.
The Westies wrapped its first season with a high-stakes finale as fans and critics weigh whether the gritty Hell's Kitchen crime drama will return. For more streaming drama updates, follow our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
Key Takeaways
- MGM+ has not formally announced a Season 2 renewal or cancellation as of August 21–23, 2026.
- Creators Chris Brancato and Michael Panes told Deadline they are "very confident" The Westies will return.
- Tom Brittney and Sarah Bolger described the cast as "cautiously optimistic" about a renewal.
- The series holds a 78% critics' score and 71% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
- The Westies ranks among MGM+'s most popular originals, with 38 weeks on the streamer's top-ten chart.
Has MGM+ renewed The Westies for season 2?
Not yet. As of August 21, MGM+ had not officially announced a second season of The Westies, according to Syracuse.com. The streamer has not formally renewed or cancelled the series either, Just Jared reported on August 23.
That leaves the show in familiar limbo — strong buzz, no green light. Co-creator Chris Brancato told Deadline the team has "shows in the offing" and is "very confident there will be a second season of The Westies." Co-creator Michael Panes added, "Stay tuned for Season 2. It gets even crazier."
What happened in The Westies season 1 finale?
The season 1 finale, titled "The Irish Goodbye," aired Sunday, August 23, at 9 p.m. ET on MGM+. According to Just Jared, Roarke and Sweeney's fallout splits the Westies, pitting the old guard against the younger generation.
Bridget pushes ahead with the mission but faces shattering truths, while FBI investigator Glenn Keenan wrestles with guilt and a son slipping away. Episode 7 set the stage when Jimmy Roarke pulled a gun on longtime leader Eamon Sweeney after tensions over a hidden cocaine partnership with John Gotti, Syracuse.com reported.
Why are creators and cast optimistic about season 2?
Performance data backs the optimism. The Westies is one of MGM+'s most popular original series and spent 38 weeks on the streamer's overall top-ten chart, MovieWeb reported. It holds a 78% critics' approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 71% audience score.
Tom Brittney, who plays Jimmy Roarke, told MovieWeb he is "cautiously optimistic" about renewal. Sarah Bolger, who stars as Bridget Walsh, said the cast is passionate but noted there is "nothing from the gods yet" on an official decision. Brancato and Panes have already mapped out future storylines, with Panes teasing a full-scale war coming to Hell's Kitchen.
What is The Westies about?
The Westies is a gritty crime drama set in early 1980s Hell's Kitchen, following the notoriously violent Irish-American gang of the same name. The series centers on the gang's attempt to profit from construction of the Jacob Javits Convention Center while navigating a fragile détente with the Italian Mafia.
The ensemble cast includes J.K. Simmons, Titus Welliver, Tom Brittney, Sarah Bolger, Stanley Morgan, Jessica Frances Dukes, and Allen Leech. The show was created by Chris Brancato and Michael Panes and premiered on MGM+ on July 12, 2026.