Mayor of Kingstown is an American crime thriller television series created by Taylor Sheridan and Hugh Dillon. The series premiered on November 14, 2021, on Paramount+. In February 2022, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on January 15, 2023. In September 2023, the series was renewed for a third season, which premiered on June 2, 2024. In December 2024, the series was renewed for a fourth season.
| Mayor of Kingstown | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster - Season 2 | |
| Genre | Crime thriller |
| Created by | |
| Starring |
|
| Theme music composer | Andrew Lockington |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 30 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Running time | 34–66 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Paramount+ |
| Release | November 14, 2021 – present |
Premise
editKingstown, Michigan, is a fictional company town where the business is incarceration. The McLusky family have been keeping the peace in Kingstown for decades, acting as the mediators between the street gangs, prisoners, guards, and cops. Tackling themes of systemic racism, corruption, and inequality, the series provides a stark look at their attempt to bring order and justice to a town that has neither.[1]
Cast
editMain
edit- Jeremy Renner as Michael "Mike" McLusky, who starts as the right-hand man for his older brother, Mitch, but takes over as "Mayor" after Mitch's death in the first episode. The middle McLusky brother, Mike has spent his whole childhood dreaming of getting out of Kingstown. He is later shown to have once been an inmate in the Kingstown prison and rose to the rank of "Shot-Caller" for the White inmates.
- Dianne Wiest as Mariam McLusky (seasons 1–2), the matriarch of the McLusky brothers. Mariam is a college professor who volunteers to teach inmates in the female prison. Mariam is fully aware of her sons' activities and has a deep animosity toward Mike.
- Hugh Dillon as Ian Ferguson, a seasoned, hard-nosed detective for the Kingstown Police Department and Kyle's partner. Dillon is also one of the show's co-creators.
- Tobi Bamtefa as Deverin "Bunny" Washington, leader of the Crips in Kingstown, Bunny spends his days sitting on a lawn chair selling drugs, kept in coolers next to him, out in the open. Bunny has a good relationship with Mike and is the closest thing to a friend that Mike has.
- Taylor Handley as Kyle McLusky, the youngest of the McLusky brothers. Kyle is a detective for the Kingstown Police Department. Kyle often battles with the choices he is forced to make assisting his two older brothers with their business dealings, as well as the questionable tactics his fellow officers employ on suspects. To distance himself from the mayhem and corruption of working in Kingstown, Kyle is close to getting a transfer to the Michigan State Police. Kyle is also married to Tracy and is expecting their first son. During the second season, Kyle begins working as a Michigan State Trooper but after a police-involved shooting that results in the death of his partner and orphaning a young toddler, Kyle is overcome with trauma and guilt, affecting his relationship with his wife.
- Emma Laird as Iris (seasons 1–3), a smooth-talking escort who works for Milo and the Russian mafia to seduce and bribe government officials. Iris is originally brought into Kingstown in an attempt to control Mike.
- Derek Webster as Stevie, a detective for the Kingstown Police Department and another ally to the McLusky brothers
- Hamish Allan-Headley as Robert Sawyer, a police sergeant who leads an elite team of Kingstown SWAT officers. Robert is a force of nature who isn't afraid to do whatever is necessary to get the job done, which includes operating his team as more of a death squad.
- Pha'rez Lass as P-Dog (season 1), A "shot-caller" and leader of the Crip inmates in the Kingstown Prison. P-Dog leads a prison riot in retaliation against the guards for their ill-treatment. P-Dog is eventually killed in the Season 1 finale by Michigan National Guardsmen.
- Aidan Gillen as Milo Sunter (seasons 1–3), a Russian mobster who is spending life in prison after killing guards during an armored car robbery.
- Kyle Chandler as Mitchell "Mitch" McLusky (season 1), the oldest of the McLusky brothers. Mitch took over the role of "Mayor" after their father died.
- Nishi Munshi as Tracy McLusky (season 2–present; recurring season 1), Kyle's wife, who is pregnant with their son
- Michael Beach as Captain Kareem Moore (season 3; recurring seasons 1–2), leader of the Kingstown prison guards. During the second season, Kareem is promoted as interim warden of the Kingstown Prison.
Recurring
edit- Nichole Galicia as Rebecca, who works as a secretary for Mitch and then later for Mike
- James Jordan as Ed Simmons (season 1), a corrections sergeant who helps coordinate with Mike and Mitch in dealing with the inmates. Ed is later killed in the first season finale by P-Dog.
- Jason E. Kelley as Tim Weaver (season 1), a corrections officer who also helps Mike and Mitch
- George Tchortov as Joseph (seasons 1–2), Milo's right-hand man and leader of the Russian mafia operating in Kingstown. It is later revealed during the second season that Joseph was secretly having an affair with Tatiana behind Milo's back, resulting in them having a child together. Iris kills Joseph near the end of Season 2 after he attempted to rape her.
- Ryan Rosery as Latrell (season 1)
- Mandela Van Peebles as Sam (season 1), Tim's nephew, and a rookie corrections officer, whose actions cause chaos within and outside the prison
- Adam Clark as Warden Mills (season 1)
- Jose Pablo Cantillo as Carlos Jiménez (season 1), A high-ranking leader in the Mexican Mafia. Carlos also served time with Mike in the Kingstown prison back when he was a "Shot-Caller" for the whites.
- Andrew Howard as Duke (season 1), leader of a local Aryan Brotherhood chapter in Kingstown, who also controls the White inmates inside the prison. Duke once served time alongside Mike in the Kingstown prison, both as acting "Shot-Callers". Mike later kills him in retaliation for abusing Iris.
- Brandon Keel as Ruger (season 1)
- Necar Zadegan as Evelyn Foley, assistant district attorney for the City of Kingstown, who is secretly having an affair with Mike
- Derek Basco as Keno (seasons 1, 3; guest season 2)
- Rob Stewart as Captain Richard Heard (season 1; guest season 2), the captain of detectives in the Kingstown Police Department
- Natasha Marc as Cherry Maxwell (seasons 1, 3), a young 20-year-old inmate in the female prison and one of Mariam's students[2]
- Rob Kirkland as Captain Walter (seasons 1; guest season 3), the captain of police in the Kingstown Police Department
- Stacie Greenwell as Abby Steele (season 1) a seasoned corrections officer assigned to the female prison
- Lane Garrison as Carney (season 2–present)[3] A Kingstown prison guard who takes over the role that his predecessor Ed Simmons filled after his death.
- Dylan Kenin as Gunner (season 2; guest season 3)
- Marcus L. Brandon as Dedrick (season 2; guest season 3)
- D Smoke as Raphael Johnson (season 2–present)
- Gratiela Brancusi as Tatiana (season 2; guest season 3)[3] Another escort that works for Milo and the Russian mafia. She is also the mother of Joseph's child.
- Ash Santos as Coco (season 2; guest season 3)
- Kenny Johnson as Charlie Pickings (seasons 2–3), a convicted serial killer who provides information for Ian Furgeson.
- Matt Gerald as Davidson (season 2)
- Nona Parker Johnson as Rhonda (season 3; guest season 2)
- Mark McKinnon as Donnell Costa (season 3; guest season 2)
- Yorick van Wageningen as Konstantin Noskov (season 3)
- Mark Ivanir as Roman (season 3)
- Richard Brake as Merle Callahan (season 3), a former prisoner transferred back to Kingstown Prison.
- Denny Love as Kevin Jackson (season 3)
- Jessica Steen as Sarah (season 3)
- Paula Malcomson as Anna Fletcher (season 3)
- B. Todd Johnston as Norseman (season 3)
- Bria Condon as Alex (season 3)
- Benny Mora as Thomas (season 3)
- Matthew Del Negro as Will Breen (season 3)
- Patrick Cage as Cole (season 3)
Episodes
editSeries overview
edit| Season | Episodes | Originally released | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | |||
| 1 | 10 | November 14, 2021 | January 9, 2022 | |
| 2 | 10 | January 15, 2023 | March 19, 2023 | |
| 3 | 10 | June 2, 2024 | August 4, 2024 | |
Season 1 (2021–22)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date [4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "The Mayor of Kingstown" | Taylor Sheridan | Story by : Taylor Sheridan & Hugh Dillon Teleplay by : Taylor Sheridan | November 14, 2021 |
| 2 | 2 | "The End Begins" | Ben Richardson | Taylor Sheridan | November 14, 2021 |
| 3 | 3 | "Simply Murder" | Taylor Sheridan | Taylor Sheridan | November 21, 2021 |
| 4 | 4 | "The Price" | Ben Richardson | Taylor Sheridan | November 28, 2021 |
| 5 | 5 | "Orion" | Guy Ferland | Taylor Sheridan | December 5, 2021 |
| 6 | 6 | "Every Feather" | Guy Ferland | Taylor Sheridan | December 12, 2021 |
| 7 | 7 | "Along Came a Spider" | Clark Johnson | Taylor Sheridan | December 19, 2021 |
| 8 | 8 | "The Devil Is Us" | Clark Johnson | Taylor Sheridan | December 26, 2021 |
| 9 | 9 | "The Lie of the Truth" | Stephen Kay | Taylor Sheridan | January 2, 2022 |
| 10 | 10 | "This Piece of My Soul" | Stephen Kay | Taylor Sheridan | January 9, 2022 |
Season 2 (2023)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date [4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1 | "Never Missed a Pigeon" | Stephen Kay | Dave Erickson and Taylor Sheridan | January 15, 2023 |
| 12 | 2 | "Staring at the Devil" | Stephen Kay | Taylor Sheridan | January 22, 2023 |
| 13 | 3 | "Five at Five" | Tasha Smith | Keli Goff | January 29, 2023 |
| 14 | 4 | "The Pool" | Tasha Smith | Evan Ball | February 5, 2023 |
| 15 | 5 | "Kill Box" | Guy Ferland | Leon Hendrix III | February 12, 2023 |
| 16 | 6 | "Left with the Nose" | Guy Ferland | Christian Donovan | February 19, 2023 |
| 17 | 7 | "Drones" | Stephen Kay | Regina Corrado | February 26, 2023 |
| 18 | 8 | "Santa Jesus" | Stephen Kay | Hugh Dillon & Stephen Kay | March 5, 2023 |
| 19 | 9 | "Peace in the Valley" | Stephen Kay | Christian Donovan & James Arcega Tinsley | March 12, 2023 |
| 20 | 10 | "Little Green Ant" | Stephen Kay | Regina Corrado & Dave Erickson | March 19, 2023 |
Season 3 (2024)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title [5] | Directed by | Written by [6] | Original release date [4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 1 | "Soldier's Heart" | Christoph Schrewe | Dave Erickson | June 2, 2024 |
| 22 | 2 | "Guts" | Christoph Schrewe | Regina Corrado | June 9, 2024 |
| 23 | 3 | "Barbarians at the Gate" | Nina Lopez-Corrado | Wendy Riss | June 16, 2024 |
| 24 | 4 | "Rag Doll" | Nina Lopez-Corrado | Aalia Brown | June 23, 2024 |
| 25 | 5 | "Iris" | Paul Cameron | Christian Donovan | June 30, 2024 |
| 26 | 6 | "Ecotone" | Paul Cameron | James Arcega Tinsley | July 7, 2024 |
| 27 | 7 | "Marya Was Here" | Guy Ferland | Wendy Riss & Molly Forman | July 14, 2024 |
| 28 | 8 | "Captain of the Shit Out of Luck" | Guy Ferland | Hugh Dillon | July 21, 2024 |
| 29 | 9 | "Home on the Range" | Christoph Schrewe | Regina Corrado & Jeremiah Wessling | July 28, 2024 |
| 30 | 10 | "Comeuppance" | Christoph Schrewe | Dave Erickson | August 4, 2024 |
Production
editThe project was first announced in January 2020, when Paramount Network ordered the series.[7] By February 2021, the series was transferred over to the Paramount+ streaming service, with Jeremy Renner cast to star.[8] The next month, Dianne Wiest joined the cast,[9] with Emma Laird, Derek Webster and Taylor Handley added in April.[10][11] Series co-creator Hugh Dillon joined the cast alongside Pha'rez Lass and Tobi Bamtefa in May.[12] Kyle Chandler was revealed to have joined the cast in August following the release of a teaser poster for the series,[13] while Aidan Gillen and Hamish Allan-Headley were added to the main cast.[14]
Filming on the first season took place from May 17 to October 4, 2021, at Stratagem Studios in Toronto,[15] Hamilton, Ontario,[16] Burlington, Ontario and in Kingston, Ontario, mainly the Kingston Penitentiary.[17]
On February 1, 2022, Paramount+ renewed the series for a second season.[18] In June 2022, filming for the second season took place at the Lampe Marina and Presque Isle Bay near Erie, Pennsylvania.[19]
On September 6, 2023, Paramount+ renewed the series for a third season,[20] which began filming in Pittsburgh on January 10, 2024.[21]
On December 18, 2024, Paramount+ renewed the series for a fourth season.[22]
Andrew Lockington composed the music for the series, and the soundtrack was released by Lakeshore Records.[23]
Release
editThe 10-episode first season of Mayor of Kingstown premiered on November 14, 2021, on Paramount+.[24][25] The first two episodes had their linear premiere on November 21 and 28, 2021 on Paramount Network, where it was originally supposed to air.[citation needed] The second season premiered on January 15, 2023, on Paramount+.[26] The third season was released on June 2, 2024 on Paramount+.[27]
Reception
editFor the first season, the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 33% approval by 27 critics, with an average rating of 5.6/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Despite campaigning with a strong pedigree, Mayor of Kingstown botches its reelection chances by giving constituents too much gloom and grit and not enough reasons to care."[28] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 54 out of 100 based on 15 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[29]
During its debut in the US, which was simulcast on cable as a means of promotion, the series drew 2.6 million viewers linearly, making it Paramount Network's most-watched scripted premiere since 2018.[30]
Rotten Tomatoes reported a 50% approval by 8 critics for the second season, with an average rating of 5/10.[31] Metacritic assigned a score of 60 out of 100 based on 4 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[32]
The third season has an approval rating of 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 9 critic reviews, with an average rating of 6.6/10.[5]
References
edit- ^ "About Mayor of Kingstown". Paramount+. November 14, 2021. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy (March 7, 2024). "'Mayor Of Kingstown' Season 3 Will Welcome Back Natasha Marc As Cherry". Deadline. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ a b Cordero, Rosy (September 20, 2022). "'Mayor Of Kingstown': Gratiela Brancusi & Lane Garrison Join Season 2". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Shows A-Z – Mayor of Kingstown on Paramount+". The Futon Critic. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ a b "Mayor of Kingstown: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
- ^ "Mayor of Kingstown". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ White, Peter (January 14, 2020). "Paramount Network Orders 'Mayor Of Kingstown' From 'Yellowstone's Taylor Sheridan & Renews 'The Last Cowboy' For Second Season – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ Petski, Denise (February 24, 2021). "'Yellowstone' Spinoff, 'Mayor Of Kingstown', 'Land Man' Among Series On Taylor Sheridan's Upcoming Slate For Paramount+". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 18, 2021). "Dianne Wiest Joins Jeremy Renner in Taylor Sheridan's 'Mayor of Kingstown' Series For Paramount+". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 16, 2021). "'Mayor of Kingstown': Emma Laird Joins Taylor Sheridan's Series For Paramount+". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 26, 2021). "'Mayor Of Kingstown': Derek Webster & Taylor Handley Join Taylor Sheridan's Series For Paramount+". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ Petski, Denise (May 24, 2021). "'Mayor Of Kingstown': Hugh Dillon, Pha'rez Lass & Tobi Bamtefa Join Cast As Production Begins On Taylor Sheridan's Series For Paramount+". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ Petski, Denise (August 30, 2021). "'Mayor Of Kingstown': Kyle Chandler Joins Jeremy Renner in Taylor Sheridan's Series For Paramount+". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ Petski, Denise (August 31, 2021). "'Mayor Of Kingstown': Aidan Gillen & Hamish Allan-Headley Among 12 Cast in Taylor Sheridan's Series For Paramount+". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (March 7, 2022). "Toronto's Stratagem Studios Plans $20M Expansion to Draw Hollywood Shoots (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 27, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ^ "The Mayor of Kingstown". Production List. April 5, 2021. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ "The Mayor of Kingstown". CTV News. November 18, 2021. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ^ White, Peter (February 1, 2022). "'Mayor Of Kingstown' Renewed For Season 2 At Paramount+". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^ Flowers, Kevin (June 28, 2022). "Erie goes Hollywood: Paramount+ streaming drama films scenes on bayfront". Erie Times-News. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
- ^ Caruso, Nick (September 6, 2023). "Mayor of Kingstown Renewed for Season 3 at Paramount+". TVLine. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
- ^ Hibberd, James (January 10, 2024). "Jeremy Renner Returns to Work on 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3: "Hope This Works"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ Strause, Jackie (December 18, 2024). "'Mayor of Kingstown' Renewed for Season 4 at Paramount+". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ "Soundtrack Album for Paramount+'s Mayor of Kingstown to Be Released". Film Music Reporter. January 6, 2022. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (August 19, 2021). "'Yellowstone' Season 4 Gets November Premiere Date With Two Eps – Watch Teaser – That Launch Jeremy Renner Drama 'Mayor Of Kingstown' & Sam Elliott Prequel '1883' On Paramount+". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ Lane, Carly (September 1, 2021). "First 'Mayor of Kingstown' Trailer Reveals Taylor Sheridan's New Thriller Series Starring Kyle Chandler & Jeremy Renner". Collider. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (November 1, 2022). "'Mayor Of Kingstown': Paramount+ Announces Return Date, Drops New Teaser". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- ^ Petski, Denise (March 28, 2024). "Mayor Of Kingstown Teaser Trailer: Jeremy Renner Is Back In Business In Season 3; Premiere Date Set". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ "Mayor of Kingstown: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ "Mayor of Kingstown: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ^ Zorrilla, Monica Marie (November 16, 2021). "TV Ratings: 'Yellowstone' Stays Strong in Week 2, 'Mayor of Kingstown' Premieres to 2.6 Million Viewers". Variety. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
- ^ "Mayor of Kingstown: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ "Mayor of Kingstown: Season 2". Metacritic. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
