MTV Entertainment Studios and ViacomCBS have announced a new series for their new streaming service Paramount+, Mayor of Kingstown, with Jeremy Renner (The Avengers, The Hurt Locker) set to star as lead.
Academy Award nominated Taylor Sheridan, known for co-creating the most watched show of 2020, Yellowstone, will pen the series; Renner and renowned director Antoine Fuqua will executive produce.
Mayor of Kingstown follows the McLusky family – power brokers in Kingstown, Michigan where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry. 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.
Renner is ready to tackle the role, stating “I am excited to dig into the complex and rough-around-the-edges character of Mike McLusky (the Mayor of Kingstown). 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 intriguing but also more relevant than ever.”
Executive producer Antoine Fuqua was immediately onboard after the pitch, “When Taylor told me about Mayor of Kingstown, I immediately wanted to be a part of it. The series offers a comprehensive look into the brutal prison system where sociopolitical issues run rampant. Prisons are a forgotten world to most of the population and yet represent a microcosm of society as a whole.”
Paramount+ will be available online at ParamountPlus.com; via the Paramount+ app for iOS and Android; and across a wide number of platforms, including smart TVs, connected-TV devices, online, mobile, gaming consoles, and leading OTT providers.
ViacomCBS’ existing subscription video-on-demand and live streaming service, CBS All Access, will be rebranded as Paramount+ on March 4, 2021 as part of the service’s expansion to feature content from ViacomCBS’ leading portfolio of broadcast, news, sports and entertainment brands. ViacomCBS will also bring Paramount+ to international markets with an initial debut in Australia, Latin America and the Nordics in 2021.
