We chat with Taylor Handley and Richard Brake for the season finale of "Mayor Of Kingstown"

Reel Perspectives

December 28, 2025

Taylor Handley as Kyle McLusky and Jeremy Renner as Mike McLusky/ Courtesy Paramount+

The explosive season finale of Mayor of Kingstown season 4, starring Jeremy Renner, is now streaming exclusively on Paramount+. Kyle has finally exacted his revenge against Merle Callahan, but at what cost?

Created by Taylor Sheridan and Hugh Dillon, with showrunner Dave Erickson, the series 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."

In the season finale of Mayor of Kingstown, titled "Belly of the Beast," the logline reveals that Mike fights to prevent Kyle from following in his footsteps and confronts the demons of his past. Hobbs makes a crucial decision as Bunny gains a new advantage. The entire episode revolved around the search for Richard Brake's Callahan, who murdered Kyle's wife, Tracy (Nishi Munshi), in episode 8. Kyle grapples with the fallout of her death and his growing mental instability as pressures mount on Mike (Jeremy Renner) from escalating mob wars.

We spoke with Taylor Handley and Richard Brake ahead of the finale. Blake, ever the consummate professional, acknowledged that he knew his character was "one of the most hated people on TV at the moment" for having killed Tracy. However, he was equally thrilled as it showcased just how evil his character is, despite the challenging scenes to film.

Taylor, who has immense respect for Brake and his performance, was happy that the creatives allowed Brake to go "full throttle" in his role as the ultimate bad guy, highlighting Brake's incredible talent as an actor, and shared his excitement about what the writers have in store for his character next.

Season 5 has not yet been announced, but with the incredible writing this season, the stakes have never been higher, giving the series its best ratings to date. It should come as no surprise if an announcement is made soon. Mike faced new threats from the Russian mob as he tried to maintain control of Kingstown while struggling with his uneasy balance with the headstrong new warden, Nina Hobbs (Edie Falco). Deverin "Bunny" Washington (Tobi Bamtefa) gained the upper hand in the escalating gang war with the Colombians. Gangster Moses (Lennie James) may be in prison, but that does not mean we have not seen the last of the old guard complicating Mike's efforts to keep the peace.

The season finale hinted at Kyle's fragile emotional state, and Taylor has never been better, powerfully giving one of his best subtle performances of the series, hinting at lasting trauma as he deals with the loss of his wife and being a single parent to his baby, Mitch. We see the fractures in his psyche, with subtle changes in his brutality, setting the stage for more upheaval and power moves in the city of Kingstown.

Season 4 of Mayor of Kingstown Season 4 is available to stream on Paramount+, in addition to all episodes from Seasons 1-3.