‘Mayor of Kingstown’ Boss Hopeful of a Season 4: “We Don’t Want to Leave Any Stone Unturned”

As a seasoned actor and storyteller myself, I can truly appreciate the depth and nuance that Jeremy Renner brings to his character, Jeremy, in Mayor of Kingstown. His ability to convey a myriad of emotions through subtle facial expressions is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s like watching poetry come to life on screen.

[This story contains spoilers from the Mayor of Kingstown season three finale.]

At times when mapping out future events, it might be necessary to conclude a complete narrative thread, regardless of whether it contributed positively to the series.

I was totally blown away by what Hugh Dillon and co-creator Taylor Sheridan managed to pull off in the finale of season three’s “Mayor of Kingstown” on Paramount+. The story revolves around the character Mike McLusky, played by Jeremy Renner, navigating a fictional town entangled with prison-industry issues. It was a gripping portrayal!

For three consecutive seasons, McLusky found himself up against his fiercest adversary – the Russian mafia, who insidiously introduced drugs, firearms, and sex trafficking into the fictional Michigan border town. He was compelled to confront two of the most merciless and violent leaders from this gang – Milo Sunter (Aidan Gillen) and Konstantin Noskov (Yorick van Wageningen). His mission was also to safeguard a young woman who had been trafficked for sex, often referred to by the Russian mob as a fallen angel, named Iris (Emma Laird).

However, as the third season finale drew to a close, every character from the Russian mob storyline – those whom McLusky disliked and those he cared for – met their ends in a violent, gruesome, or sorrowful manner, much like their initial appearances in Kingstown. Intriguingly, it was revealed that Milo, thought to have perished on the boat at the end of season two, had actually escaped, carrying bags filled with stolen bonds and bombs planted by McLusky. Moreover, it turned out that Milo coerced Iris into killing Konstantin (the man who gave her her name) as part of a deal with McLusky, intended to secure her freedom.

McLusky persuades Iris to accept the offer, leading her to murder Konstantin. After Iris hesitantly departs from McLusky, he brutally subdues Milo and fatally shoots him for making disrespectful remarks about his late mother Miriam (played by Dianne Wiest). In one of the closing scenes, a solitary Iris is discovered on a city bus’s rear seat. Upon returning to check on her, the driver finds Iris pale and motionless, her eyes wide open due to an overdose of drugs.

Recently, The Hollywood Reporter had a conversation with Dillon about wrapping up the Iris chapter, which marked an emotional end to season three for him and the team. This was significant because their main lead, Renner, returned to work after his near-fatal accident. Furthermore, he expressed optimism regarding the potential continuation of the Kingstown story, as Paramount+ has not yet made a decision about a fourth season.

***

So, the finale went out with a metaphoric firework.

I absolutely adore it. This series holds immense significance for me. Earlier today, I had a delightful conversation with Jeremy Renner, and the wait to reach this point felt interminable. Yet, here we are at the finale! The journey has been incredibly fulfilling, and I’m thrilled beyond words for Jeremy and his family as they reach this conclusion. The work he’s done both behind and in front of the camera is nothing short of extraordinary, impressing in every aspect.

Given the passing of Milo, Konstantin, and Iris, can we conclude that this particular chapter or phase has concluded in the Kingstown narrative?

Indeed, it adheres to a genuine criminal structure since its inherent characteristic is to create a void. Over time, this emptiness naturally gets filled, as it’s part of our human instinct.

Iris’ passing left many saddened and shocked. Some, however, found it understandable given her desire for love and fear of loneliness. What led Iris to such a decision – taking her own life?

In a personal perspective, I’d like to clarify that the character didn’t intentionally end her life; it was a tragic accidental overdose. This raw portrayal resonates deeply with me, reminding me of my own experiences and those of friends who suffered from opioid addiction – something all too real in my community.

Indeed, Emma Laird’s portrayal of that character was nothing short of remarkable, transcending the boundaries of the script. When you witnessed the final scene, as you pointed out, it stirred deep emotions, even bringing tears to your eyes. This was exactly the impact we aimed for. Emma invested an immense amount of effort into the series, taking on challenging roles with grace and conviction. She gave her all, leaving no stone unturned. Her character in season one was beautifully crafted, a testament to her talent as an actress. We are deeply appreciative of her as a person and as a performer. To hear you say it moved you so much, we accomplished our goal.

Why did you decide to bring Milo back?

Aiden’s presence in the narrative is akin to a powerful natural phenomenon. The conclusion of his arc was masterfully executed by our showrunner, Dave Erickson. He skillfully paved the way forward, ensuring that after season two, one had to scrutinize closely and follow the ending to realize that he managed to escape from the boat. It was a work of art, seamlessly connecting all the narratives together. When the climax arrived, it not only concluded the current tale but also hinted at the vast emptiness that lies ahead, symbolizing the collapse of the criminal wall and the uncertainty of what comes next.

During the conversation between Milo and Jeremy where Milo mentioned Mike McLusky’s mom, Jeremy’s family was present. I personally witnessed this interaction on live television and observed Jeremy’s reactions closely. In that particular scene, every emotion Jeremy conveyed was heartfelt. His mother, Miriam, is no longer with us, and he seemed to be dealing with the situation involving Milo and the subject of Mike McLusky. Renner has an exceptional talent for expressing such complex emotions through subtle facial expressions and a few well-chosen words. It’s as if he’s crafting poetry with his performance.

Let’s discuss Jeremy. Could you tell me how his mental and physical fortitude evolved throughout the course of filming each season?

He made quite an entrance! That’s where our journey began. Experiencing Pittsburgh during winter was incredibly demanding. We weren’t entirely certain about our destination, but we were confident in our scripts and he was thrilled when filming started. Taylor ensured we had a strong team, while Christoph Schrewe captured the scenes with incredible intensity. The process felt like a whirlwind, right up to the climactic finale on the bridge. Occasionally, if you’re fortunate, everything comes together seamlessly and takes on an urgency. I believe this was due to everyone being focused on supporting Jeremy. This concentration propelled our progress and allowed Jeremy to excel in front of the camera and aid his fellow actors.

What’s the reason behind Evelyn Foley, portrayed by Necar Zadegan, having a target on the character of Ian Ferguson, and what can we expect in terms of their relationship as we approach a possible season four?

It seems to me he’s merely caught up in the crossfire, as she’s targeting Robert Sawyer, the SWAT team leader played by Hamish Allan-Headley. What makes this intriguing is that many of these characters hail from this very town. They are locals, much like those who grew up and stayed or returned to work in Kingston, Ontario, where the series takes place. As we delve deeper into the story, I hope to explore how their long-standing relationships unfold – these characters have been friends since childhood, attended school together, and even Evelyn did. The weight of their shared past is substantial, and as adults, they carry with them memories and knowledge of each other’s history that can impact their professional lives significantly.

From the very beginning, Evelyn has been a part of the Robert Sawyer campaign. However, she strongly disagrees with him becoming a police officer and is determined to confront him about it. She even went as far as saying that she would break through a wall to reach him. This raises questions such as “Who is this person threatening to shoot and where were they?” Now, it appears that Evelyn is looking into me, and since day one, she has voiced her disapproval of the KPD.

But she said she will follow the rule of law, and I think that’s what’s fascinating about her character. And that is the tension in her relationship with Mike, because Mike is existing in a grey area.

What are some of your thoughts and plans for season four?

Here’s hoping for an outstanding fourth season of “The Mayor of Kingstown”! (*laughs*) After all, who knows, maybe even God is a fan too!

It’s thrilling to join the cast of “Mayor,” and it’s a pleasure to bring these characters to life. A major motivation is witnessing Jeremy Renner’s contentment. He’s made a remarkable comeback, and it’s rewarding to see him artistically fulfilled. The scripts are superb, the characters are well-developed. Our goal is to leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of excellence. This series truly embodies the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.

Mayor of Kingstown season three is now streaming on Paramount+.

2024-08-26 16:55

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