Never count out the Sheridan-verse. "Mayor of Kingstown," the hard-boiled prison drama from "Yellowstone" creator Taylor Sheridan, is coming back for a third season. What's more, series star and executive producer Jeremy Renner, who suffered a near-fatal snowplow accident in Jan. 2023, will reprise his role as the titular tough-guy mayor, Mike McLusky. Season 3, which began filming in Pittsburgh in Jan. 2024, marks Renner's return to acting following the accident.
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"Mayor of Kingstown" made its debut to much fanfare in 2021. The second season of the hit Paramount+ drama, which ranked third on the streamer just behind fellow Sheridan-created shows "1923" and "Tulsa King," finished on a cliffhanger in March 2023. The series centers on Renner's Mike McLusky, an ex-con and the unofficial mayor of a Michigan town beset by crime and corruption. With director Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day") among the show's executive producers, "Mayor of Kingstown" is a gritty look at one town's extrajudicial machinations that grind everything—and everyone—down to a pulp.
But "Mayor of Kingstown" Season 3 will be a bit of a departure from previous installments, starting with the cast list. Here's everything we know about the upcoming season, including which actors will reprise their roles, predictions for how the series will pick up in the wake of Season 2 and a likely release date.
What Is 'Mayor of Kingstown' About?
Dennis P. Mong Jr./Paramount+
"Mayor of Kingstown" follows the McLusky family, who have acted as the liaison between prisoners and government officials for Kingstown, Michigan since their late father created the position of unofficial 'mayor' of the town. After reluctantly stepping into his late father and brother's shoes, it's up to ex-con Mike McLusky (Renner) to broker peace between the rival gangs and corrupt law enforcement officers that make up Kingstown — a place where systemic racism fuels mass incarceration and the criminal element always threatens to spill over into civilian territory.
Which Cast Members Will Return for 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3?
Dennis P. Mong Jr./Paramount+
Good news and bad news on the casting front for "Kingstown" fans. Tobi Bamtefa will return as fan-favorite drug dealer Bunny, but Deadline reported in Sept. 2023 that two-time Oscar winner Dianne Wiest will not reprise her role as Mariam, the McLusky family matriarch, in Season 3.
In the shocker Season 2 finale, the youngest McLusky brother, Kyle (Taylor Handley), accidentally shot Mariam during a chaotic raid at the family home. When we left her, Mariam was undergoing surgery in the hospital and it wasn't guaranteed she'd make it out alive.
It remains unclear whether Aidan Gillen ("Game of Thrones") will reprise his guest role as the ruthless Russian mob boss Milo in Season 3. In addition to Renner and Bamtefa, these cast members are confirmed to return:
- Taylor Handley ("Chasing Mavericks") as Mike's younger brother Kyle McLusky
- Emma Laird ("A Haunting in Venice") as Iris, the escort Mike is charged with protecting
- Hugh Dillon ("Yellowstone") as Ian, a Kingstown detective
- Derek Webster ("Stargate") as Stevie, a Kingstown police officer
- Hamish Allan-Headley ("Law & Order: SVU") as SWAT leader Robert
- Nishi Munshi ("Lethal Weapon") as Kyle's wife Tracy McLusky
What's the Plot of 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3?
Dennis P. Mong Jr./Paramount+
Paramount has not yet released a synopsis for the upcoming season, but be sure to check back here for any updates. Meanwhile, we think a few Season 3 plot points are a sure thing:
Dianne Wiest's exit means Mariam may die from the gunshot wound, no doubt plunging Kyle deeper into that unspeakable grief we saw him experience in the Season 2 finale. All the while, he and Tracy have a baby on the way. Having spent way more time in the clink than Mike promised he would, Bunny's prison takeover and all-out war with Kingstown PD will further widen the gulf between the former allies.
Milo is still at large after faking his own death, but it remains to be seen what his plan for Kingstown domination will be. Elsewhere, Mike and a newly-rescued Iris will (hopefully) do the whole lone wolf and cub thing across Kingstown, exposing corruption like Batman and Robin.
"Mayor of Kingstown" Seasons 1 and 2 both clocked in at 10 episodes, so expect an equally substantial Season 3.
When Will 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 3 Premiere?
Dennis P. Mong Jr./Paramount+
"Mayor of Kingstown" Season 3 is expected to debut on Paramount+ sometime in 2025.
"Mayor of Kingstown" Seasons 1-2 are now streaming on Paramount+.
