The hit Paramount+ crime drama Mayor of Kingstown is officially back in production, and the show is bringing in some fresh talent for its final run. Cameras are now rolling in Pittsburgh on the fifth and final season, and the creators have added a well-known face to the cast. David Morse, who recently starred in the Prime Video series We Were Liars, has joined the show as a new series regular.
This news comes just a few months after the fourth season wrapped up its 10-episode run in late 2025. The show, which comes from Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan and Hugh Dillon, is getting ready to say goodbye with an eight-episode final season. For fans who have been following the McLusky family’s struggles in the prison town of Kingstown, Michigan, this new chapter promises to bring even more tension and danger.
David Morse Enters Kingstown as FBI Agent Russell Hardy
David Morse is no stranger to intense dramas. The Emmy-nominated actor, known for his roles in House, The Green Mile, and The Hurt Locker, will play Russell Hardy, a seasoned FBI agent who comes to Kingstown with a clear mission. According to the official logline released by Paramount+, Hardy arrives in town looking for a fugitive named Callahan.
This new character is described as a “true lawman,” which immediately sets him up as a potential problem for Jeremy Renner’s character, Mike McLusky. The logline explains that Agent Hardy “threatens to unearth all of Mike’s sins and secrets, and disrupt Kingstown’s tenuous balance of power.” Given Mike’s complicated history of making deals with criminals, gang leaders, and police to keep the peace, having a by-the-book FBI agent digging around could spell serious trouble.
Morse brings a lot of experience to the role. He currently stars in We Were Liars, the Prime Video adaptation of E. Lockhart’s best-selling novel, and has appeared in both seasons of The Last Thing He Told Me alongside Jennifer Garner. His film career includes major movies like The Green Mile, 16 Blocks, World War Z, and Concussion. He has also earned Emmy nominations for his work on House and the miniseries John Adams, plus Tony nominations for his Broadway work.
What Happened in Season 4 Sets Up Big Problems
To understand where Season 5 is heading, it helps to look back at how Season 4 ended. The finale left fans with some shocking moments that will clearly drive the new episodes. Tracy McLusky, who was Kyle’s wife, was murdered. This tragic event pushed Kyle McLusky (Taylor Handley) and his brother Mike to seek vengeance against the man responsible, a character named Callahan.
Taylor Handley previously spoke about his character’s dark turn in an interview with TV Insider. He explained that while getting revenge might feel justified in the moment, Kyle would likely struggle with the consequences of his actions. “With all the damage that he’s doing, it may feel good in the moment, but I think that he’s going to have a hard time dealing with himself if this story goes on,” Handley said.
That revenge is now making Callahan a fugitive, which is exactly why the FBI is getting involved. Russell Hardy is coming to Kingstown specifically to find Callahan, but his investigation will inevitably put Mike and his whole family under a microscope. Mike has spent years keeping the peace between police, prisoners, and gangs, often operating in moral gray areas. An FBI agent digging into his affairs could expose everything.
Returning Cast and Who Won’t Be Back
Alongside Jeremy Renner and new cast member David Morse, several familiar faces will return for the final season. Edie Falco is back as Nina Hobbs. The cast also includes Laura Benanti as Cindy Stephens, Hugh Dillon as Ian Ferguson, Taylor Handley as Kyle McLusky, Tobi Bamtefa as Bunny Washington, and Derek Webster as Stevie.
Necar Zadegan (Evelyn Foley), Nichole Galicia, and Lennie James will also be returning. Lennie James played Frank Moses in Season 4, a character who ran a Detroit-based depot empire until Bunny Washington successfully took over his operation.
However, some characters won’t be making it to Season 5 due to the deadly events of the previous season. Tracy (Nishi Munshi) is confirmed dead after her murder in the finale. Carney (Lane Garrison) and Robert (Hamish Allan-Headley) are also among the characters who won’t return.
Filming Underway in Pittsburgh
Production officially kicked off in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 9, 2026. The city has been a home base for the show for several seasons, with filming taking place in communities like Millvale and McKeesport, and at locations such as the 16th Street Bridge and the Western Penitentiary. The show has been a big boost for the local economy. The Pittsburgh Film Office reported that Season 4 brought over $95 million to the Pittsburgh area.
Movie Casting Pittsburgh previously put out a call for extras, seeking people of all ages and ethnicities to fill roles as town locals, law enforcement officers, prison guards, gang members, inmates, and bar patrons. Filming is expected to continue through the summer, likely wrapping up around June 2026.
The casting agency noted that they received an “incredible number of submissions” for extra work, and they encouraged applicants to be patient. “If you don’t hear from us right away, that does NOT mean we’re not interested in you,” the agency said. “Casting happens continuously throughout the season, and we may reach out weeks or even months after filming begins.”
Final Season Will Have Fewer Episodes
Mayor of Kingstown Season 5 will be shorter than previous seasons. While the first four seasons each had 10 episodes, the final season will consist of eight episodes. The show’s renewal for a fifth season was confirmed back in January 2026, with Jeremy Renner himself sharing the news on social media.
“We’re all so very excited to bring another season!!! Last one for paramount plus!” Renner wrote on X. His excitement is understandable. The actor went through a serious snowplow accident in January 2023, and his return to the show has been a major moment for fans. He stars in and executive produces the series.
The decision to end the show with Season 5 comes as Taylor Sheridan’s overall deal with Paramount approaches its end. According to reports, Sheridan’s film agreement with Paramount Skydance wraps up in March 2026, though his television deal still has time remaining. Dave Erickson continues as showrunner for the final season.
What to Expect from the Final Episodes
The central conflict of Season 5 appears to be the collision between Mike McLusky’s way of doing business and Agent Hardy’s determination to enforce the law. Mike has always operated as a fixer, using his connections to maintain order in a town where the main industry is incarceration. He has made deals with criminals and looked the other way when necessary. Now, with a dedicated FBI agent on his trail, those choices could come back to haunt him.
The logline mentions that Hardy threatens to “unearth all of Mike’s sins and secrets.” For a character who has spent years building a network of favors and compromises, having someone dig into his past is the worst possible scenario. The question is whether Mike can find a way to deal with Hardy or if the agent will finally bring down the entire McLusky operation.
With Bunny Washington now running Frank Moses’ former empire and Kyle dealing with the aftermath of killing Tracy’s murderer, the power dynamics in Kingstown are shifting. Ian Ferguson won the lottery and expressed a desire to leave for Montana, but it remains to be seen if he will actually get out. Cindy found herself in the middle of a prison gang war in the infirmary, and her fate is also up in the air.
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Release Date Information
Paramount+ has not yet announced a specific premiere date for the final season. Given that filming just started in March 2026 and will continue through the summer, fans likely won’t see new episodes until late 2026 or possibly early 2027. Previous seasons have premiered at different times of the year, with Season 1 in November 2021, Season 2 in January 2023, Season 3 in June 2024, and Season 4 in October 2025.
For viewers in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India, all episodes will stream exclusively on Paramount+ when they release, just like the previous seasons. The first four seasons are currently available to binge on the platform.
The addition of David Morse brings a new level of experience and intensity to an already stacked cast. His character represents the outside world finally taking a close look at what really happens in Kingstown. For Mike McLusky, that could mean the beginning of the end. For viewers, it means a final season packed with the tension, drama, and moral complexity that has made the show a hit.
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