Actress Faces Fake Blood, Learns Gun Skills for Role

Actress Laura Benanti shared her transformative experience joining the cast of Mayor of Kingstown for its fourth season. Playing correctional officer Cindy Stephens, she confronted personal challenges, including a strong aversion to blood, which necessitated creative solutions from her colleagues on set. Benanti found embracing a more rugged appearance, free from makeup and with slicked-back hair, to be a liberating aspect of inhabiting the character.

To prepare for the demanding role, Benanti also undertook specialized training. This included mastering firearm handling for action sequences, a new experience for her. She emphasized that the production team ensured all stunt work, particularly involving guns, was conducted with utmost safety and professionalism, making the empty-chambered weapons appear realistic.

Despite being a newcomer to the crime thriller, Benanti felt warmly welcomed by the ensemble cast, including stars like Jeremy Renner. She noted the positive and humorous atmosphere on set, which provided a necessary contrast to the show's intense subject matter, contributing to a supportive and workable environment for all involved.