“Corruption in the justice system, we have it right here in the UK too”: Tobi Bamtefa on Mayor of Kingstown season two

Mayor of Kingstown, the Paramount+ crime series starring Jeremy Renner as Mike McClusky, is back on our screens, picking up its story tackling the business of incarceration, corruption and inequality in the justice system, via a fictional town in the US. Taking on the role of Crips gang leader is British actor Tobi Bamtefa, whose character, McClusky, must work to bring some order from the chaos in the aftermath of a prison riot.

The Upcoming had a chat with Bamtefa ahead of the series landing about what viewers can expect from season two, his somewhat unlikely journey to being cast, how it’s been working opposite the unstoppable Renner, and how he prepared to play Bunny, from understanding African-American history to nailing the accent. We also discussed what the show has to say about the business of incarceration in the US (also in terms of universal themes of oppression, systemic injustice and inequality), his diverse career so far (which has included working with Woody Harrelson on Lost in London and starring in West End theatre shows), his forthcoming projects as a producer and his view on representation in the culture industries right now.

Sarah Bradbury

Mayor of Kingstown season two is released on Paramount+ on 16^th January 2023.

Watch the trailer for Mayor of Kingstown season two here: