Jeremy Renner Talks Recovery And Filming “Mayor Of Kingstown” After Snow Plow Accident

Jeremy Renner made a bold comeback to the set of Mayor of Kingstown for its third season, almost a year after a devastating snow plow accident on New Year’s Day 2023. At 53, Jeremy had to balance his physical recovery with the rigorous demands of leading the Paramount+ series. The incident, which almost cost him his life, forced him to rethink his approach to acting.

In an interview with Good Morning America on May 22, Jeremy shared his internal struggle. “I had to cross the threshold of, ‘Do I want to go tell fictional stories?’ I’m worried about real life — putting a foot in front of another to walk,” he admitted. 

Jeremy’s journey to Pittsburgh for filming was more about his recovery, with the show becoming secondary. “I didn’t go to Pittsburgh to film Mayor of Kingstown, I went to go in my recovery and then Kingstown was kind of on the side,” he explained.

Jeremy’s return to work wasn’t easy. As someone with a headstrong nature, he had to confront his physical limitations. “My mind thinks I’m like, perfect. My body is saying, ‘Dude, you’re a hot mess! Chill out, pump the breaks, man!’” he told GMA. 

Despite the severity of his injuries, his brain remained sharp and focused. “But again, nothing is wrong with my brain, even though it got crushed,” he added.

The show adapted to his condition, integrating more emotional and intimate moments into the storyline. These changes provided a welcome reprieve from the usual intensity. “There’s more sentiment to it, because I think I sort of had to bring it in a little bit, just because of where I was at in my life,” Jeremy noted. 

He described his character, Mike McLusky, as still aggressive but with a softer edge reflective of Jeremy’s personal journey. “Mike McLusky is still pretty aggro, but I think he’s a little softer as well, just sort of ’cause I had to play him,” he said.

Jeremy revealed to PEOPLE in January that he was initially scared to return to the series. “I try to just do everything kind of step by step here. That’s one foot in front of the other one. Then you’re walking,” he stated. Despite his excitement for the character and the story, he admitted feeling tentative about his confidence in work.

The demanding nature of Mayor of Kingstown, which involves grueling 14- to 18-hour workdays in Pittsburgh’s freezing cold, added to his apprehensions. Jeremy was particularly worried about slipping and falling, as he had not fully regained his lower body strength. “I think I’m excited when I’m there and I get in a rhythm there. I’m excited about the character and, of course, all the people involved and all that in the storyline, but for me, I’m just tentative of confidence in work,” he said.