SPOILER ALERT: The following contains spoilers for Mayor of Kingstown Season 4, Episode 2.

Doug Carney has been a staple on Mayor of Kingstown, which makes it all the more shocking that he’s gone. The Paramount+ show ended with Carney being shot in his home by the Colombian suspect whom Ian and Stevie had let out of custody. His passing means that Mike McLusky has lost yet another ally, and is a sharp reminder of how high the stakes are in Season 4.

But before Carney’s murder, “Promises to Keep” also gave the audience a reminder of who he is outside of his alliance with Mike. Fans also saw him trying to be a hero in his own right, which is what ultimately got him killed. In an interview with TVBrittanyF.com, actor Lane Garrison shared his reaction to Carney’s death and reflected on filming his last episode.

Brittany Frederick: How did you feel about Carney being killed off?

Lane Garrison: You know what? I’ve gotten used to it. I think that’s like my 16th on-screen death. I was a little disappointed, just because I love the show and I love working with the guys, but you kind of know going into that show every week—it’s just one of those shows where anybody can go.

When I was younger, like on Prison Break when I died, I was devastated. I didn’t know how to handle that. You’re on the number-one TV show, and you think you’re never going to work again. This was almost a redeeming moment, for me to to handle it like a man and and get to say goodbyes and not mope around. But I love working on that set and with those guys. Jeremy [Renner]’s excellent. He’s easy to work with, and it’s fun to watch the show. It’s weird to watch it and just relive these moments.

How did you approach filming that last scene? Because Carney’s death is so sudden that you don’t get a final sendoff.

We rehearsed it so many times, just because there [were] guns on set. And I think I just got so used to—because of the safety and making sure everybody was safe and blanks… Every time I opened the door, you would think it would just be, I’m going to fall over and die. We’ve done this a million times. But it shocked me every time.

Just having that reaction to I’m gone, and then every time we do cut, it was a chance for me to say goodbye and thank you to cast and to crew. That’s always the hardest part of it… These people become your quirky family, and then they’re just gone out of your life.

You never know with [Hugh Dillon] and Taylor [Sheridan] and those guys. I’m dead, but you never know what can happen—meaning who knows if I come back for a flashback or something? That’s why it’s fun to read those scripts when they come in, because you just never know what’s going to happen at the end.

But before that happens, Mayor of Kingstown makes a point of showing who Carney is as an individual. Fans get to remember his first name, they get to see him at home with his dad, and they watch him trying to do the right thing with Hobbs. How rewarding was that for you?

What’s interesting about that is the show is full-throttle intensity—so much sometimes that you forget that these people, what happens behind the prison walls and in their internal life outside of Mike. And I love that they tried to humanize him and really show where this guy’s from and what he’s going through, so that you do feel his depth.

I wanted to bring some levity to to the show. I wanted to find some light-hearted moments, just because it’s so intense, and I think the audience needs that kind of break. So I’m happy with the run that we did, and those guys have done an amazing job. And what a hit it’s been around the world. It’s really cool to watch.

Since there were parts of his life that viewers didn’t get to see, what was your perspective on Carney? Did you have a particular way you wanted to convey that internal element?

Our working environment was wonderful with the cast and crew, but where our locations were—primarily inside of a prison and right around the prison—it felt so hopeless, and you could feel the despair every day. It wasn’t hard to walk away on set and just sit in a prison cell and reflect even on my past life and everything. To get to that moment of feeling that somehow all these guys are in prison, feeling like there’s no difference between cop and criminal here. So I drew on that. I just drew on my background and growing up, of what it’s like for the average guy, struggling just to make it and survive.

Carney does get to pass some of his knowledge on to Cindy Stephens. Did you likewise give any advice to Laura Benanti, since this is her first season on Mayor of Kingstown?

It’s a heavily male-dominated cast, and then you’ve got 500 inmates [played by] 500 extras—a lot of guys that were in jail and prison. The tattoos, you don’t know if it’s real. I’ve walked up to guys and [been] like, that is amazing, that makeup did it, and it’s real tattoos, and they were really in prison. And so it’s a really interesting environment to be on set with.

I just gave [Laura] advice about the crew and how to approach the job, but she’s a pro. She knew what was up. She could handle herself. I think that her background on Broadway really will help her… But we’ve got such a wonderful crew, and Jeremy’s excellent, and [Hugh]. She’ll be good. She’ll be great.

Did you have any inclination this might be coming, after the number of people that were killed at the end of Season 3, including Carney’s boss Kareem? Or did Carney’s death also come as a surprise to you?

Michael Beach helped me a lot. When they killed Michael Beach’s character, that did actually remind me that hey, you might be on the chopping block too. But I just loved working with the man. He’s so awesome and humble, and just had great suggestions and was very easygoing, no ego. Hopefully I get to work with him again.

What are some of the things that stand out from your Mayor of Kingstown experience? Anything that was particularly surprising or fun on set?

D Smoke [who plays Raphael] is a rapper, and so we talked a lot in between takes about finding those musical moments. I’m hoping that they incorporate more of his music in the show.

I’ll tell you one funny story on set. When I first got there, the thing that tripped me out the most—when I went to meet [Tobi Bamtefa, who plays] Bunny. We were having our first scene together, where we’re jawing at each other, we’re calling each other names. He’s British, and it tripped me out when I first spoke to him.

I was expecting this guy to be just like he is on the show and be really tough and gangster, and he’s like, “Hello, mate.” And he’s getting his tea. Those were funny—when we would always be going at each other, and a lot of times it was just pure improv. And then in between takes making fun of each other. I just loved working with him.

Mayor of Kingstown streams Sundays on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Paramount+.

Article content is (c)2020-2025 Brittany Frederick and may not be excerpted or reproduced without express written permission by the author. Follow me on Twitter at @BFTVTwtr and on Instagram at @BFTVGram. For story pitches, contact me at tvbrittanyf@yahoo.com.