Taylor Sheridan’s lowest-rated show Mayor of Kingstown opened to a disappointing 33% critic score, making it the weakest link in his roster despite Jeremy Renner’s presence and a strong crime-drama premise. Premiering within Sheridan’s ever-expanding TV universe, the series has struggled to gain critical approval, even as it commands a loyal following among viewers.
Mayor of Kingstown’s Challenging Start in Sheridan’s TV Empire
While Taylor Sheridan has built a reputation for crafting gritty stories set in tough environments, Mayor of Kingstown failed to impress critics when it debuted. Led by Jeremy Renner, the series, intended to deliver hard-hitting crime drama in a small town, instead received the among lowest critical marks in Sheridan’s career, landing at only 33% on Rotten Tomatoes for its first season.
By comparison, Sheridan’s Yellowstone managed a 58% critic score, while his more recent venture, Landman, launched with a much stronger 78%. The Western prequels 1883 and 1923 soared even higher, with reviews in the high 80s and low 90s. Critics singled out Mayor of Kingstown for lacking both emotional engagement and a compelling reason for its perpetual grim tone.
Reviewers frequently described the opening season as bleak and relentless, but without clear narrative purpose or enough character depth to justify its style. Both IndieWire and Variety were noticeably unenthused, labeling the show formulaic and questioning the appeal of spending time in the bleak world of Kingstown. Despite Sheridan’s reputation, his latest crime saga did not find early favor among critics.
Why Critics Rated Mayor of Kingstown Below Yellowstone
Even Yellowstone, with its sometimes divisive melodramatic approach, performed far better critically than its sibling show. While a certain level of darkness is expected from Sheridan, critics argued that Mayor of Kingstown’s use of violence and corruption felt empty, lacking the emotional weight that made Yellowstone eventually resonate with audiences.
Jeremy Renner’s performance drew respect, but his efforts could not compensate for what reviewers called a shallow treatment of profound issues. Instead of exploring trauma and chaos in meaningful ways, the series, they felt, simply escalated violence and bleak circumstances with little payoff. The consensus was not that the material was too dark, but rather that it was dark without direction or meaningful character arcs.
Many observers pointed out that Sheridan’s strengths lie in stories driven by well-developed characters, not just relentless action.
“Mayor of Kingstown starts out like it has something to prove, but forgets to bring us along for the ride. By Season 3, the show has a pulse again. But that season one stumble, critics didn’t forget,”
one reviewer observed, highlighting the lasting damage of its rocky start.
Recent Improvements and Audience Response
Despite its lackluster beginnings, Mayor of Kingstown found its footing with viewers. By Season 3, the show brought in improved critical praise, with its latest installment ending on August 4, 2024, and earning a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes — the best for the series so far. Reviewers noted an increased narrative focus and more interesting antagonist dynamics, showing that Sheridan’s storytelling evolved as the series progressed.
The audience reaction has been consistently stronger than that of critics, with a robust 89% score across all three seasons. This underscores ongoing fan investment in the world and characters of Kingstown, despite the show’s early missteps and critical struggles. The numbers emphasize the contrast: while the first season’s reputation held the show back among critics, devoted fans kept watching and propelled its ongoing run.
The Legacy of Taylor Sheridan’s Lowest-Rated Show
Mayor of Kingstown’s disappointing debut remains an outlier in Taylor Sheridan’s run of popular dramas, but its recent improvements highlight the complexities of audience versus critical reception. Sheridan, whose career includes Westerns like Yellowstone and new offerings such as Landman, continues to experiment with tone and subject matter. Meanwhile, Kingstown’s recovery in the eyes of critics and viewers alike suggests that first impressions can be difficult to overcome — yet not impossible to outgrow.
As Sheridan’s universe expands and more attention is given to future projects, the initial reception of Mayor of Kingstown stands as a reminder that not every ambitious concept finds instant critical success, even with star-driven performances from names like Jeremy Renner. The ongoing debate among reviewers, fans, and industry watchers will likely follow Kingstown for seasons to come, ensuring its place in the broader conversation about Sheridan’s impact on television drama.
