Mayor Of Kingstown: The 10 Best Characters

Warning: This article contains spoilers for the entire Mayor of Kingstown season.

Mayor of Kingstown premiered on Paramount+ on November 14, 2021, and concluded its ten-episode season on January 9, 2022. The story takes place in Kingstown, Michigan, and mainly follows Mike McLusky, who uses his connections within and outside of the Kingstown prison system to provide services for clients.

A fascinating element of the series is its exploration of various characters within it. Though many of these players occupy a morally gray or even entirely reprehensible space, they are all well-written and make the show more compelling with each scene they are on-screen.

Mitch McLusky

Mitch McLusky may only be present for one episode, but his shadow looms over the rest of the season as Mike tries to maintain the business with which Mitch was seemingly so competent. Between the two of them, Mitch was the more level-headed, and the few on-screen exchanges he had with people showed the care that went into his work.

The actor, Kyle Chandler, has been in movies and TV shows before Mayor of Kingstown from which audiences may recognize him, and though fans of his were likely expecting him to have a more long-lasting presence in the series, he nevertheless portrayed the character excellently in his brief appearance.

Rebecca

Without Rebecca, Mike would not be able to accomplish any of his tasks as the “mayor,” which he acknowledges to her. From driving Iris to the hospital to more outrageous requests like trading cars with Mike because his had a tracking device on it, Rebecca shows on a multitude of occasions that she is the glue holding the operation together.

She also adds kindness to the atmosphere of her scenes, helping to balance out much of the tension that situations in the office tend to create.

Miriam McLusky

Miriam McLusky is maybe the most intelligent character in Mayor of Kingstown, often being the voice of reason in her family. She despises the business Mike and Mitch are a part of because of the danger it presents, a worry that is further justified when Mitch is killed.

She spends much of her time teaching in a prison and tries desperately to keep her third son, Kyle, safe from the lifestyle in which her other two sons have taken part. She can be brutally honest when the situation demands that a character hear some harsh truths, and she cares deeply about the people close to her.

Evelyn Foley

Assistant District Attorney Evelyn Foley is one of the more rational characters in Mayor of Kingstown. As a result, she helps to provide more level-headedness at various points of the show in a way that counters the more unpredictable characters of the series, especially Mike.

She carefully evaluates the circumstances, allowing her to manage situations that could be disastrous otherwise. Necar Zadegan brings the character to life on-screen and gives a memorable performance that helps audiences to further connect with Evelyn.

Mike McLusky

As the main protagonist of Mayor of Kingstown, Mike McLusky becomes the most familiar character to the audience. He begins the series relatively cold and distant from those around him, showing emotion mainly through anger.

As the season progresses, though, Mike shows more compassion to people in his life, such as Akim after his hockey game and Iris after her horrific experiences with Duke and his group. It would be a stretch to call Mike a “good person” in most circumstances, but it is clear that he tries to do what he sees as right in his new position as the “mayor” of Kingstown.

Deverin “Bunny” Washington

Deverin Washington, also known as “Bunny,” has a lighthearted demeanor that helps him to be one of the most likable characters in Mayor of Kingstown. Despite sometimes being briefly at odds with Mike, he is also maybe the only character Mike can call a friend.

Bunny is often joking around as he sits alongside the main character in his lawn chair, but he also opens up to him on several occasions. He can be intimidating when the situation seemingly demands it, and it is also apparent through various scenes that he wants the best for those in his life.

Iris

Of all the characters in Mayor of Kingstown, Iris has perhaps the most heartbreaking journey in the season. She makes her first appearance in the town after being sent by Milo to sway Mike in his favor, but as Milo betrays her time and time again, Iris experiences terrible circumstances.

In the end, she retains her kindness and acknowledges that though things seem hopeless, they can get better. The season ends on a heartfelt and mildly optimistic moment between her and Mike, leaving audiences with hope for the brighter future that the character deserves.

Akim

Akim only appears in the fifth episode of the season, titled “Orion,” but he makes a dramatic impact in his brief time on-screen. He is introduced as the nephew of Bunny, who asks Mike to take him to his hockey game. Akim is incredibly respectful and talks about his dream to play hockey professionally.

After a racist parent attacks Akim when he is on the ice, he and Mike brawl their way through the hockey rink, and afterward, the two have a heartfelt discussion on the drive back. Akim is committed to creating this path for himself in life, regardless of the people who seek to tear him down.

Carlos Jiménez

From the time he is introduced, Carlos Jiménez is shown to be a man who cares about honor, to the point that he claims that if his nephew, Alberto, had not already been killed for murdering Mitch, he would have done it himself. He commands attention every time he appears on-screen, showing that he is a force that garners respect.

Mayor of Kingstown was one of the most anticipated shows coming to Paramount+, and supporting characters like Carlos, who add so much to the series, help to make it worthy of this anticipation.

Milo Sunter

Though he spends most of the duration of the season in a secure room, Milo Sunter is one of the most intimidating characters in the show, if not the most intimidating. Milo seemingly has no limits in the lengths to which he will go to maintain power and perhaps acquire more of it.

When speaking, however, he is cold and quiet, making him more enigmatic, compelling, and terrifying. Every move he makes is calculated, which is part of why he was able to escape from the prison at the end of the season.