Mayor of Kingstown has a unique cast of characters. The show brings the two worlds of criminals and corrupt law enforcement together, and drama comes from in and out of Kingstown's prisons. However, each character has to keep their wits about them to remain in control.
Creator Taylor Sheridan crafts complex characters in his work, from shows like Yellowstone to movies like Wind River. As such, audiences doubt Mayor of Kingstown will be an overlooked streaming crime drama series. Furthermore, the show's characters span the spectrum of intelligence. Some of them are gifted with intellect, while others suffer from their lack of wits.
Ed Simmons
Ed Simmons is a lesser-seen character in Mayor of Kingstown, but he is integral to the police and prison staff's illicit operations. Unfortunately for the McLuskys, Ed isn't the brightest prison guard who rallies behind the family.
Ed shows his lack of emotional intelligence through his anger. He insists on the prison killing of Kenny Miles, despite Mike's warning that the inmates will ask for favors in return. He simply hopes for the best and is surprised when the prison population returns with demands following Miles' death.
Ian Ferguson
The law enforcement of Kingstown has several smart men on their team. Ian Ferguson works with The McLuskys from the beginning of the series. He helps capture and kill Mitch's murderer and shows his loyalty only to the other badge-wearing elite of Kingstown who rallies behind the McLuskys.
However, Ian doesn't challenge the rest of the show's characters in intelligence. He doesn't think through the repercussions which follow his criminal behavior. He doesn't plan for the future, chewing his gum thoughtlessly and hoping for the best. Furthermore, he reacts without a thought in shooting a pizza parlor owner when Kyle gives him plenty of time to diffuse a potential drug deal.
Kyle McLusky
Kyle McLusky is perhaps the most conservative McLusky son, as he is only peripherally involved in Mike and Mitch's dirty deals. As his mother Miriam points out, he is the only McLusky son who stands a chance of living past an untimely death, thanks to his distance from his brother's criminal behavior.
Kyle knows what his brothers do behind the scenes, but he is too ignorant to realize he will be affected by their criminal enterprise. He is offered an exit from the paths his brothers have chosen in a new and safer position away from Kingstown, but can't see that it is the best choice for his family.
Iris
Iris is no fool, but she lacks the intelligence of some of the McLuskys' other associates. She is confident and even brazen in her behavior with some of Kingstown's most dangerous men. She stands up to her boss at the strip club she works at, and effortlessly challenges Mike upon their first meeting.
However, Iris' confidence seems to cloud her critical thinking. Her complex character helps make Mayor of Kingstown one of Paramount Plus' best shows. She tells her boss she is romantically involved with Mike, without thinking through the consequences that will follow. If she had used her smarts, she would have a plan for when the other shoe drops from her behavior.
Rebecca
Mike's secretary Rebecca is simultaneously attached and removed from the McLuskys. She organizes Mike's meetings and payments but doesn't seek out the details of his criminal deals. While Kyle and Bunny go into the field with Mike, Rebecca stays on the sidelines.
Rebecca's intelligence is evident in her actions. She knows not to overstep into Mike's life, even if he has to remind her, saying things like it's not her business what he puts in his coffee. Furthermore, she notices Mike's struggle in taking over Mitch's enterprise, and her compassion for Mike is a sign of her strong emotional intelligence.
Evelyn Foley
Evelyn's smarts are exemplified in her employment. She has the esteemed position of working for the District Attorney's office, a role unfit for the unintelligent. However, she continues to show her mental prowess outside of work.
Evelyn is in control of her emotions. She knows her relationship with Mike won't go anywhere serious or stable for her, considering Mike's criminal behavior, and tells him outright. She could thoughtlessly lead him on, or leave things unsaid. Instead, she makes the smart move of being completely transparent with him about their superficial romantic entanglement.
Hakim
Bunny's little cousin Hakim is perhaps the youngest recurring character on Mayor of Kingstown. However, what he lacks in years on the planet he makes up for with the clear head of an adolescent. Surprising characters like Hakim make fans believe Mayor of Kingstown may become Paramount Plus' best original drama series.
Hakim is the only other unincarcerated living man in him and Bunny's family, and he knows he is predisposed to a life leading to prison or death. He uses critical thinking to make the goal of professional hockey be his escape from Kingstown. He even lays out that he is too short for basketball and too slow for football, using logic to end up with hockey as his most likely course of success.
Deverin "Bunny" Washington
Bunny may be a criminal, but he is by no means dumb. He is the head of the Crips and operates a massive criminal enterprise, which requires discipline and a great deal of intellect. The show reminds audiences he isn't necessarily book smart in moments like when he and Mike discuss the constellations in the sky.
However, Bunny shows audiences his smarts with his actions. He tells Mike he can't leave his sedentary location in the projects, saying "the king can't leave his castle." Furthermore, he uses logic to predict the outcome of Mike's shady dealings, like the war following Kenny Miles' death. He doesn't write any of Mike's instructions down but gets his requests done after memorizing names and actions.
Mike McLusky
There are shows on Paramount Plus like Mayor of Kingstown, but characters like Mike make the show unique. Despite his emotional instability, he is one of its smartest characters. Mike is burdened with the responsibility of taking over his late brother Mitch's city-wide operation. He juggles multiple tasks and requests requiring quick thinking, a strong memory, and logic.
Mike keeps track of dozens of responsibilities throughout the first season. Furthermore, he predicts the repercussions of the police's criminal actions, despite their unwillingness to listen. He may not make the smartest decisions, but he always knows what they should be.
Miriam McLusky
Miriam is the voice of reason in Mayor of Kingstown. She knows only death or prison awaits her sons if they continue their behavior, as made true in Mitch's death in the first episode of the series. However, her intelligence is put on display beyond that.
She is the clearest teacher of the series, both literally and figuratively. She presents vast monologues about detailed moments of oppression in the history of the U.S. to women inmates inside the prison. Outside, she warns her son Kyle about his possible fate and is the first to notice his wife's pregnancy without any indication from her.