Lennie James stars as Detroit gangster Frank Moses in the fourth season of Taylor Sheridan’s crime drama Mayor of Kingstown
Line of Duty favourite Lennie James has revealed the harsh reality of filming Paramount+ crime thriller Mayor of Kingstown in freezing conditions.
The acclaimed British actor, known for Snatch and Save Me, delivers another powerful turn as Detroit gangster Frank Moses in the fourth series of Taylor Sheridan’s popular show.
James’ composed mobster arrives in the fictional company town of Kingstown to seize control following the Russians’ departure, forming an uneasy partnership with local power broker Mike McLusky (played by Jeremy Renner).
At the same time, Frank weighs up whether he can trust young drug dealer Bunny Washington (Tobi Bamtefa) whilst a dangerous new player emerges – a ruthless assassin called Cortez (Derek Rivera) – threatening Kingstown’s established order.
To bring to life the fictional town where the prison industry dominates, filming takes place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which James admits proved extremely challenging, reports the Express.
«There [were] a few days that were just… inhospitable. Pittsburgh, when it’s cold, is bitterly cold,» he told Reach exclusively.
«And when it is cold and wet, and it’s night, it’s up there with the last place on Earth I would want to be.»
Despite the brutal temperatures, James had to push through, particularly since his character Frank was accustomed to difficult circumstances.
«My character was kind of billeted at a train yard and a kind of stone masonry place. A gravel pit,» he detailed. «I was out late at night, in the cold, and it was grim. «
However, the dedicated crew of Mayor of Kingstown ensured all the actors were well looked after when the weather turned sour.
«The other side of that is, they’re used to it in Pittsburgh, so you get all of the thermals and hand warmers and leg warmers and electric socks that keep you comfortable,» he reminisced.
«So it’s inhospitable, but the crew means you can survive it, because they look out for you.»
Fans of Kingstown will be no strangers to its harsh environment, having already experienced three seasons of one of the most ruthless crime thrillers in recent memory. Yet, James’ character Frank Moses offers a unique presence amongst the hard-nosed cops and brazen gangsters, as the actor explains he’s someone for whom «there isn’t much he hasn’t seen».»
«I liked him because he was a gangster who didn’t present as a gangster,» he said of his initial impressions of the role.
«I liked him because he was a guy who had layers, and had history, and had reputation. So, it didn’t make my job easier, but it added a lot of interest to it.
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«He was a guy who had a legend. There is the legend of Frank Moses, the OG Detroit gangster who they never put cuffs on.
«It’s a great legend to try and manifest as a man, and that’s what attracted me to it.»
James promises viewers that there are plenty of unforeseen twists and turns for Frank in the upcoming episodes, so keep an eye out for new episodes released weekly.
Mayor of Kingstown season 4 continues Sundays on Paramount+.
