Every so often a crime series comes along that quietly hooks you into watching episode after episode. This is one of those shows.

The biggest strength that this show has is the cast. JK Simmons and Titus Welliver at the front, two powerhouse actors that just belong to a thrilling crime drama like this. The role that Simmons takes up isn’t that far from his usual typecast roles compared to him clicking his fingers at the end of La La Land or his time in the digital realm in Portal 2. But he still has this intimidating presence as he becomes the Irish mob boss at the centre of the story. Welliver on the other hand, known mostly as the goody two shoes, stickler for rules Bosch plays the complete opposite. Falling into the cop role again but this time as a cowardly corrupt officer who bends the rules for his own personal goals. When both of them are on screen they’re terrific.

Another thing that impressed me was the production design. The series takes place in 1980s New York, and the attention to detail really sells it. The signs. The billboards. The little background details. It’s the kind of work that doesn’t scream for attention but does a lot to immerse you in the world.

The episodic storytelling works well too. Each episode gives you enough intrigue and tension that you genuinely want to see what happens next. Which is exactly what you want from a crime drama. Especially as it’s set in the era surrounding the rise of John Gotti before he became head of the Gambino crime family. Hamish Allan-Headley plays Gotti and absolutely nails the antagonistic threat against the main cast. If you’ve seen him as Officer Powell in Daredevil: Born Again, you’ll know exactly the kind of energy he brings here. He’s a proper piece of work. In the best possible way for a crime show villain.

The Westies carves out its own corner of history and builds tension from that unique setting. The result is a crime series that’s consistently engaging, well-acted, and easy to binge.