Jeremy Renner‘s powerful crime drama is the center of renewal buzz, but its fate on Paramount+ depends on viewership and official studio confirmation.
Following the intense Season 4 finale, Mayor of Kingstown is at a critical junction. While widespread fan and critical acclaim suggests a strong case for continuation, Paramount+ has not yet made an official decision about a fifth season. The series concluded its fourth run on December 28, 2025, leaving the future of Mike McLusky and the town of Kingstown hanging in the balance.
The show, created by Taylor Sheridan and Hugh Dillon, stars Jeremy Renner as Mike, a power broker who mediates between the violent factions of a town economically dependent on its prisons. Season 4 saw Mike’s control threatened by new players, a gang war, and a strict new prison warden played by Edie Falco.
The Renewal Status: Waiting for Paramount+
As of now, Paramount+ has neither renewed nor canceled Mayor of Kingstown for Season 5. The streaming service historically takes its time with renewal announcements for this series. Past renewals have come weeks or even months after a season finale:
- Season 2 was announced about three weeks after Season 1 ended.
- Season 3 was announced over five months after Season 2 concluded.
- Season 4 was confirmed roughly four and a half months after Season 3 wrapped.
Based on this pattern, fans may need to wait for an official word. The decision will ultimately hinge on viewership data and production costs, which Paramount+ has not publicly released.
Despite the lack of an official greenlight, several factors strongly suggest the drama will return. The series is a flagship title in Taylor Sheridan’s expanding universe for Paramount+ and remains highly popular. Recent data from third-party trackers shows Mayor of Kingstown ranked as the fourth most popular TV series on Paramount+ worldwide in late December, consistently appearing in the platform’s top 10 across all available countries.
Critically, the show is also thriving. Season 4 holds a perfect 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, and audience scores on both Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb have been exceptionally high, with later episodes of the season earning scores above 9.0.
8 Burning Questions for a Potential Season 5
Should the series be renewed, the narrative is poised to tackle profound conflicts and character reckonings set up by the explosive Season 4 finale.
1. Is a Full-Scale War with the Colombian Cartel Inevitable?
Season 4 introduced the Colombian cartel as a formidable new threat, creating a dangerous power vacuum after the decline of the Russian mafia. The cartel’s actions, including a major character death, have deeply personal consequences for Mike. A potential fifth season would need to show whether Mike’s motivation is pure vengeance, a strategic effort to contain the threat, or an all-out war against an increasingly powerful enemy.
2. Can Bunny Washington Survive the Encircling Threats?
Tobi Bamtefa’s character, Bunny, entered Season 5 in a more fragile position than ever. With the Colombian cartel as an external threat and internal gang tensions with rivals like Raphael and Roberto Cruz ready to boil over, his grip on power is under siege from all sides. His survival may depend entirely on how far Mike is willing to go to protect his most lethal, and perhaps only, ally.
3. Will Frank Moses Fill the Power Vacuum in Anchor Bay?
The death of the dangerous inmate Merle Callahan left a void, and Lennie James’s Frank Moses has positioned himself as a potential successor. His presence alone threatens to shift the prison’s power dynamic. A new season must define whether Moses becomes a new kingpin Mike must negotiate with or a destabilizing loose cannon.
4. What Future Exists for Mike and Cindy?
Mike’s relationship with rookie corrections officer Cindy, played by Laura Benanti, offered him a rare chance at emotional stability. However, Season 4 strained their bond with poor communication, secrets, and the ever-present danger of Mike’s world. A key question for the future is whether Mike can maintain a genuine, safe relationship, or if his life’s work inevitably puts anyone he cares about in peril.
5. Is Kyle Healed or Headed for a Collapse?
Taylor Handley’s Kyle endures one of the show’s most traumatic arcs, grappling with the death of his wife Tracy and becoming a single father. His internal struggle between duty and trauma mirrors the show’s core themes. His journey represents a crucial emotional anchor, and his pathโtoward healing or self-destructionโremains a pivotal storyline.
6. How Will Warden Hobbs’ Crucial Decision Reshape the Prison?
The Season 4 finale logline notes that Edie Falco’s Warden Nina Hobbs makes a “crucial decision” as Bunny gains a new advantage. Her strict, by-the-book approach has already clashed with Mike’s informal system. Her next move could either ease the violent tensions or ignite a new conflict within the prison walls, directly impacting Mike’s ability to operate.
7. What Are the Consequences of Kyle’s Final Act?
The finale sees Kyle take a definitive, violent step to achieve justice for his wife’s death. This action will have severe legal and psychological repercussions. It fundamentally alters his character and poses new challenges for Mike, who spent the season trying to prevent his brother from following his own dark path.
8. Can Mike Confront His Demons and Find an Exit?
The finale promises Mike will “confront the demons of his past”. With the town perpetually on the verge of collapse and the personal cost mounting, a final season would need to explore if Mike McLusky can ever break the cycle of violence or if he is destined to be consumed by the very system he manages.
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Cast, Release, and Fan Theories
An official cast list for a new season is not available, but the main ensemble is expected to return, led by Jeremy Renner. Several key characters, including Carney, Robert, Tracy, and Frank Moses, met their ends in Season 4 and would not return. The core cast likely to continue includes Renner, Handley, Hugh Dillon (Ian), Tobi Bamtefa (Bunny), Derek Webster (Stevie), Necar Zadegan (Evelyn Foley), Laura Benanti (Cindy), and Edie Falco.
There is no premiere date for a hypothetical Season 5. The series has had scattered release windows, with gaps ranging from 14 to 16 months between seasons. If a similar production schedule is followed, a new season could potentially arrive in late 2026 or early 2027.
Amid the uncertainty, a significant rumor has spread online. Multiple entertainment blogs have reported that Jeremy Renner told fans “Mayor of Kingstown will end with season 5, and we already have a really cool end planned”. However, this alleged quote has not been corroborated by major entertainment news outlets like Decider or TV Insider, and no official statement from Paramount+ or the producers confirms it. Fans should treat this as an unverified rumor until an official announcement is made.
Fan discussions on social media highlight a strong desire for closure, with many hoping to see Mike finally get a measure of peace or a definitive end to his story.
For now, all four seasons of Mayor of Kingstown, including the Season 4 finale “Belly of the Beast,” are available to stream exclusively on Paramount+.
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