‘Mayor of Kingstown’ creator Hugh Dillon on season 2 and Jeremy Renner: ‘Anything we can do to help, we will’

SPOILERS WARNING! This story contains plot points from the second season premiere of Mayor of Kingston.

Jeremy Renner’s protagonist returns to Paramount+ today to address the aftermath of last season’s prison riot and the escape of big bad Milo Sutter (Aiden Gillen). Here, Hugh Dillon – who stars in the drama alongside Taylor Sheridan and as Det. Ian Ferguson created – about where the new season is headed and how Renner’s injuries will impact if – or if – production resumes on a third season. (The show has not yet received a third season).

Reporter: First things first: have you made your character? real Should you shoot that pit bull 12 times?

GREAT DILLON Oh dear! What I liked was that it is a true story. It came from Taylor. It happened in LA. I like to show real life in the series. The guy we use as a creative consultant just sent me something about a prison where a man was caught bringing crystal meth into the prison using a backpack that he put on a pigeon. Everything I see now is through the lens of would this happen to the mayor of kingstown?

Reporter Is there a theme to this season?

DILLON If anything, everyone is hyper-vigilant. It’s more intimate. We explore why these characters do what they do. We really control what triggers these people who are prone to their darkest impulses.

Reporter Why is Mike (Renner) so worried about Milo’s escape? Is it just for Iris’ safety?

DILLON That’s all. Milo is the head of the snake, a poisonous snake. He fled to the city and it’s about money. There is history, there is the girl.

Reporter Why do gangsters like Bunny (Tobi Bamtefa) still tolerate Mike?

DILLON It goes back to decades of knowledge. Mike was in jail and eventually it’s just the city, you know? It is alliances that engage people. Everything came about at this point. Mike is based on a guy I actually knew in Kingstown when I first made it to Taylor. Growing up, I played hockey with boys whose parents were police. My coach had a gun holster on his ankle and left it on the couch. There were other children whose parents were in prison. I grew up with a man I modeled Mike after. He just knew everyone.

MEETING Is the guy still in Kingstown?

DILLON He died of throat cancer a few years ago.

Reporter Why were the stormtroopers in Miriam’s (Dianne Wiest) class? Was it the result of the uprising?

DILLON Yes. At this point we are against them. You are in lockdown. That’s why I love the show and some of those scenes with Dianne being adamant about some of those things, because she’s a person who walked out on Riker’s Island and protested. She has very specific thoughts about how it works. Her reality bled into the show pretty well.

There’s no way Captain Moore (Michael Beach) is ready to go back to work, is he?

DILLON none There is another actor who is just amazing. His performance throughout this season has been spectacular.

Reporter Who is really responsible for the riot? Is it time for new gang leaders?

DILLON I don’t want to go into it too deeply. But you can land where you want. It will resolve itself.

Reporter Where did you film Prison Tent City?

DILLON A place called Carrie Furnace just outside of Pittsburgh. It was a large steel mill. That’s part of the fun of doing these shows, exploring the locations and seeing what we can use. Pittsburgh is such a big character.

MEETING How do you balance your full-time role as Ian with being the showrunner?

DILLON Taylor was my acting coach years ago and I learned everything from him. He coached me on a show called Flashpoint. He was driven. He is a master. In a way, when you have a passion for what I am, it’s effortless. This is the show I’ve been dreaming of.

Reporter I know you’re still waiting to find out if there’s going to be a third season. If you have a normal schedule, when will you start production?

DILLON Taylor and I have several ideas for several seasons. If all goes according to plan with Paramount+ and the rest, I would think we’ll start pre-production in August, September, maybe in the summer.

Reporter How did you find out about Jeremy’s injury?

DILLON I heard about it from one of the other producers. I saw it on the news and then he sent me a video. He is very funny. I just think of this man’s world and I’m glad he’s surrounded by his family. Anything we can do to help, we will. This is the most important. He is like family.