The Taylor Sheridan Paramount+ series Mayor of Kingstown continues to dominate viewing charts around the world, even though critical response has been mixed. Despite its upcoming creator’s departure, the show holds a strong following both in the United States and in other countries such as Albania, Indonesia, and the UK.
Sheridan’s Impact and Ongoing Global Popularity
Taylor Sheridan’s influence at Paramount+ is significant, with his compelling storytelling keeping one or more of his series in the streaming platform’s top 10 watched titles at almost any given time. Although Sheridan is soon expected to leave Paramount+, his status as a multi-hyphenate creator is cemented by the reach and popularity of his work. Mayor of Kingstown, despite being Sheridan’s lowest-rated drama, has a remarkable ability to captivate viewers with its hard-hitting narratives focused on violence and survival in the titular town.
Even with a modest 53% score on the widely-referenced review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series has become a bona fide fan favorite, securing steady audiences across international local streaming services. This persistent viewership underscores the strong appeal of Sheridan’s brand of storytelling that resonates beyond critical reception.
Season-by-Season Critical Response
The initial season of Mayor of Kingstown suffered the brunt of critical scrutiny, achieving a low 33% score, largely attributed to perceptions of Jeremy Renner‘s Mike McClusky as a stereotypical “fixer” striving to shield his town from self-destruction after his brother’s death. The show’s second season made some improvements, raising the score to 50%, but it did not manage to significantly shift critics’ overall opinion. Renewed interest and positive critical regard only emerged with the launch of Season 3, which now holds a 77% rating, signifying a turning point in both storytelling and reception.
Collider’s Jeff Ewing highlighted the strengths of the latest season, noting fresh energy and enhanced character depth brought by newcomers such as Edie Falco and Lennie James. As Ewing observed:
“Everyone has an agenda, the danger is heightened, and characters have a reason to be afraid of multiple rhetorical sharks swimming in the waters. It’s a well-crafted season, anchored by solid performances, including newcomers [Edie] Falco and [Lennie] James. Part of Mayor of Kingstown’s success this go-around hinges on Sheridan and [Hugh] Dillon allowing the show’s characters to face genuine danger and suffer the consequences, which results in several surprising outcomes in an ultimately top-shelf Season 4.” — Jeff Ewing, Reviewer
Upcoming Twists in Season 4
With new episodes of Season 4 releasing every Sunday, anticipation builds as the storylines grow more complex and charged. In the upcoming episode, viewers can expect major developments. The official description reveals:
Mike hatches a plan to grant Kyle’s (Taylor Handley) freedom and saddles Ian (Dillon) with an agonizing task. Moses (James) makes a play that sparks brutal consequences for cartel leadership. Callahan (Richard Brake) explores new avenues to get to Mike,
This hints at escalating intrigue and danger for key characters like Mike McCusky, Ian Ferguson, and Moses, with the fates of Kyle and others hanging in the balance. Fans eager to see how these evolving storylines unfold can tune in to the new episode “My Way” on Paramount+ on Sunday, December 7.
Cast Spotlight
The series is led by Jeremy Renner as Mike McLusky, whose performance anchors the show with intense vulnerability and determination. Hugh Dillon portrays Ian Ferguson, a pivotal figure frequently caught between loyalty and duty. The addition of Edie Falco and Lennie James this season has contributed further depth and dynamism, complementing the established ensemble and intensifying the narrative’s tension.
The Lasting Significance of Sheridan’s Work
As Taylor Sheridan’s time with Paramount+ appears to be drawing to a close, his legacy remains strong, driven by fan support and global popularity. Despite mixed critical voices, his talent for creating immersive crime dramas, as seen in Mayor of Kingstown, ensures his work continues to influence the streaming landscape. Viewers and industry observers alike are watching keenly to see how the storylines—and Sheridan’s own creative journey—will develop next.
