Actor Jeremy Renner, who is popularly known for his role as Hawkeye in MCU, stars as Mike McLusky in Paramount+’s crime-thriller television series Mayor of Kingstown. Created by Taylor Sheridan and Hugh Dillon, it follows the story of the McLusky family’s attempt to bring order and justice to a fictional company town in Michigan, Kingstown.
Jeremy Renner’s performance in the show has been highly lauded by the audience and the critics. After a successful two seasons, Mayor of Kingstown is gearing up for a third season, which is scheduled to return in June 2024. Renner, however, talks about making a transition to TV and his character on the show.
Jeremy Renner describes working for TV as ‘relentless’
Jeremy Renner plays the Mayor of a fictional town in Paramount+’s Mayor of Kingstown. He takes over the position after his brother Mitch passes away in the first episode. In his conversation with Paste Magazine, the actor talks about his transition to TV and says,
“The big learning curve was that it is every day and is relentless. And it just does not stop.”
Renner said that in addition to his understanding of how to work, the roles and duties that came along with portraying the role had set the tone of the show for him. The actor admitted that he will always work the hardest for his characters.
Further in the interview, the actor spoke about the challenges of building up the characterization of Mike McLusky. He explained,
“Some sort of grounded stand on the world that was pretty foreign to me… Once I got a grasp of that, then it was all the more emotional sort of context of the character that was very complex. With his fortitude and strength and his fearlessness and his action ability, all those types of things were, you know, all assets and characteristics that I like to play.”
The MCU star expressed his gratitude that he was able to resume working after COVID. He did, however, add that there were moments when he’d think about getting his body ready to get back to normal. Rather than emerging from the bubble and wondering what lies ahead of him. He also added COVID shifted the psychological mindsets of the people.
The show has been praised by the audience, especially Renner’s performance. But, unfortunately, the show has not yet been acknowledged by the critics for an award. Despite the audience loving the show, it has not won any awards.
Jeremy Renner only has words of appreciation for Taylor Sheridan’s writing
Renner and Taylor Sheridan worked on 2018’s Wind River and once again collaborated for Mayor of Kingstown. Talking about his experience of working with Sheridan, Renner noted,
“I just love how wonderfully honest his writing is. And it comes with the ferocity of his words and the actions that he uses the words against him.”
He describes Sheridan’s writing as violent but equally beautifully thematically poetic, timely, and important to social issues. He also mentioned that he was very excited to step into the shoes of Mayor’s complex and rough-around-the-edge character created by Sheridan. He said in a round table interview with Looper,
“In a world otherwise forgotten in society, Mike serves as a flawed system of checks and balances. Taylor has brought to life a layered and poignant universe that is not only incredibly intruding but also more relevant than ever.”
In Mayor of Kingstown, the town’s prison is a central part of life for everyone. The actor shared in the show either you’re out of prison, inside, waiting for someone to come outside, or probably working for it. He mentioned that it’s the world and it existence that is captivating to him. Renner also noted that Sheridan’s written it to challenge himself with understanding of the issues and associations that happens inside and outside the prison.
Season three of Mayor of Kingstown premiers on June 5th on Paramount+.
