Lennie James, the acclaimed star of Paramount+'s gritty crime drama Mayor of Kingstown, has exclusively revealed that his character, Detroit mobster Frank Moses, is headed for a series of completely unexpected twists. Following a season filled with shocking betrayals and shifting alliances, James teased that Frank's journey is far from predictable.
A Shifting Power Dynamic
The fourth season of the hit show saw Frank Moses strategically entering the fray following the feud between Mike McClusky, played by Jeremy Renner, and Russian crime lord Milo Sunter, portrayed by Aiden Gillen. With a power vacuum left in the turbulent town of Kingstown, Frank saw his opportunity. He initially formed a shaky alliance with Mike, the de facto 'mayor' who attempts to control the town's various criminal factions. However, Frank has since revealed his true colours, positioning himself as a potentially greater threat than his predecessors.
The betrayal became starkly clear in the sixth episode, titled Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? Mike's closest confidant on the streets, Deverin 'Bunny' Washington, played by Tobi Bamtefa, was hospitalised after suffering gunshot wounds from an attacker named Lamar. Mike's investigation soon uncovered a devastating truth: Lamar was actually working for Frank. This move was a direct betrayal of the trust both Mike and Bunny had placed in him, a calculated power play to take over operations in Kingstown.
The Facade Begins to Slip
In the explosive aftermath, Mike attempted to have Frank arrested, but their conflict was further complicated when a member of the Cartel tried to assassinate Frank. By the episode's conclusion, the fragile working relationship between Mike and Frank appeared to be utterly dissolved. Throughout the series, Frank has maintained an unnervingly calm demeanour, even under intense pressure. James suggested to Reach that this composure is a facade that is about to be tested in surprising ways.
"It's gonna be tested, but it's not going to be tested where you expect it to be tested," James teased. "When it drops, it's not gonna be for the reason that everybody thinks it might be. When he goes gangster, it's not in the direction that is expected." He added that this unpredictability is what makes Frank such a compelling character for the writers, describing him as a 'unicorn' for whom all possibilities are open.
Drawing on a Dark Past
Frank's history as a powerful figure in Detroit's criminal underworld has served him well in the chaos of Kingstown. His years of experience handling rival gangsters and corrupt police have allowed him to navigate the town's dangers with a chilling efficiency. He was first introduced in a brutally memorable scene, decapitating several Russian mobsters on a train track to announce his arrival—a level of violence he hasn't had to personally revisit since.
James, famous for his role in Line of Duty, explained that Frank's calm stems from the fact "there isn't much he hasn't seen." Even so, the escalating power struggle with Mike McClusky could push him beyond his limits. The actor also hinted that the series will delve deeper into Frank's origins, confirming, "Yeah, you will. You'll find out more. You won't find out everything, but you'll find out more, much more" about his roots in Detroit.
As for the future, James could not confirm if Frank will return for a potential fifth season, which Paramount+ has yet to officially announce. However, having already established himself as a formidable and popular antagonist, there is a strong chance Frank Moses could follow in the footsteps of Milo Sunter and remain a central force in Kingstown for seasons to come.
Mayor of Kingstown continues with new episodes airing on Sundays exclusively on Paramount+.
