Laura Benanti’s Creative Approach to Fake Blood on ‘Mayor of Kingstown’

r shared that despite the fake blood being used on set for the crime thriller series, Benanti still had a reaction to it. Even though she plays a correctional officer, she’s not a fan of blood in real life.

Benanti, who plays correctional officer Cindy Stephens, explained that she had to put all vanity aside to prepare for her role. The actress wasn’t allowed to wear makeup and had her hair slicked back under fluorescent lighting throughout filming. She described this experience as freeing, as it allowed her to focus on her character without any distractions.

In addition to the hair and makeup adjustments, Benanti also had to do some stuntwork, including action sequences and gun training. Despite never shooting a gun before, Benanti received training to ensure she portrayed her character accurately. She emphasized that safety was a top priority on set, with the crew always ensuring that the guns used were empty during scenes.

Overall, Benanti felt welcomed on the set of Mayor of Kingstown, despite being a newcomer to the show. She praised the cast and crew for creating a warm and funny environment, which she found essential given the intense nature of the series. Mayor of Kingstown is currently available for streaming on Paramount+.