“Hightown” is a crime drama TV series created by Rebecca Carter that tells the story of a woman who goes from addiction to sobriety – all while a murder investigation unfolds. Set in Cape Cod, the series premiered on Starz in mid-2020. It stars the likes of Monica Raymund (Jackie Quiñones), Riley Voelkel (Renee Segna), and James Badge Dale (Detective Ray Abruzzo).

Generally, the second season, which last aired on December 26, 2021, was well-received by fans and critics. Gary Lennon, Rebecca Cutter, and Jerry Bruckheimer produced the show.

This article talks about where you can watch “Hightown,” the cast, and second season highlights. Plus, you’ll learn why BuddyTV is a great way to find out what’s new in movies and TV shows.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4xAoWkA5rU

What Is “Hightown” About?

“Hightown” is a crime drama about a National Marine Fisheries Service agent, Jackie Quiñones, who battles drug and alcohol addiction. Her discovery of a dead woman’s body leads to an investigation by Cape Cod detectives. As the law enforcement officers dig deeper, they uncover a dark web of organized crime and opioid epidemic.

The story unfolds as Jackie Quiñones continues to work toward sobriety, and she eventually kicks her addiction and realizes her dream of becoming a police officer. Jackie soon gets involved in the fight against the drug epidemic as she goes after a local drug dealer Frankie Cuevas (Amaury Nolasco). She wants him to pay for the death of Junior, her best friend.

In her new role, Quiñones desperately needs to stay away from drugs and alcohol.

Where Can You Watch “Hightown?”

“Hightown” is on Starz.tv, a premium cable, and satellite television network. You can also stream the show on platforms like Apple TV, the Roku channel, Hulu, DIRECTV, Google Play, and Amazon Prime Video. It’s not currently on Netflix or Disney+.

Is “Hightown” a Good Show?

You can usually tell a show’s future by its ratings. When the ratings are high, the show has a better chance of staying on.

On the TV Series Finale review platform, “Hightown” season 2 earned 9.43 out of 10 (473 votes). The Guardian described the series as slick, but only gave the show 3 stars. Meanwhile, the crime drama series got a rating of 6.6 out of 10 on the IMDb website. It looks like it’s doing well with audiences and critics alike.

Is “Hightown” Based on a True Story?

Starz’s “Hightown” doesn’t stem from a real-life story, however, the crime drama draws inspiration from its Cape Cod backdrop. There was a strong opioid epidemic in the area, so locals and other affected communities could relate to the series. Rebecca Cutter, an executive producer of the series, originated the characters. On the other hand, the producers initially called the series P-Town (short for Provincetown), part of Cape Cod where filming took place.

Everything You Need to Know About the Cast Of “Hightown”

This thrilling TV series comes with an intriguing list of characters and cast to keep you hooked. From hard-partying thrill-seekers to hardened criminals and seductive exotic dancers, it’s got everything you expect from a riveting crime drama series and more.

Here are the stars of “Hightown:”

Monica Raymund:

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A seasoned actress who has appeared in several TV dramas, including “Lie To Me” (as Maria “Ria” Torres), “The Good Wife” (as Dana Lodge), and “Chicago Fire” (as Gabriella Dawson). Born in 1986, she played these roles from 2009 to 2019, then joined “Hightown” in 2020. She appears in “Hightown” as Jackie Quiñones, a recovering addict and agent with the National Marine Fisheries Service. When asked about the character (Quiñones), Raymund said although Quiñones has flaws, playing the role is fulfilling. The actress said the character has multiple layers that force her to dig deeper. It helped her get it right.

Riley Voelkel:

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Born in 1990, Riley has appeared in television series like “American Horror Story: Coven” (as the witch Fiona Goode), “The Originals and Legacies” (as Freya Mikaelson), and “The Newsroom” (as Jenna Johnson). In “Hightown,” she acts as an exotic dancer named Renee Segna. The character views all relationships as transactional, allowing her to remain emotionally detached. Her five-year-old son is the only person Renee opens her heart to.

Atkins Estimond:

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For over a decade, Estimond has been in a lot of films, including “The Resident,” “Lodge 49,” and “StartUp.” But executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s “Hightown” gave him somewhat of a big break. His character, Osito (a lieutenant to an incarcerated drug kingpin), is one of the bad guys. Atkins performs the role well, thanks to his considerable acting experience. It’s no surprise he has the makings of a real star since he began acting in theater at an early age. The character he plays in this captivating TV series isn’t just a simple antagonist or a drug kingpin’s lackey. Osito follows his own somewhat distorted rules.

Amaury Nolasco:

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Born in 1970, Nolasco has featured in countless acting gigs, including “Prison Break” (as Fernando Sucre), “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (as Hector Delgado), and “Transformers” (as Figueroa). In “Hightown,” he plays Frankie Cuevas Sr., a drug kingpin who runs an opioid operation in scenic Cape Cod. The character runs the drug ring from a jail cell.

Dohn Norwood:

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Born in 1974, Norwood has been making waves in showbiz, thanks to his appearances in television series and films like “Bruce Almighty” (as a police training center officer), “Hell on Wheels” (as Psalms Jackson), and “The Sinner” (as Dan Leroy). When it comes to the crime drama series “Hightown,” the star put on an impressive performance playing Alan Saintille, a trooper with the Massachusetts State Police. The character (assigned to the Cape Cod Interagency Narcotics Unit) takes on local drug dealers fuelling the opioid epidemic.

James Badge Dale:

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Dale plays Detective Ray Abruzzo, a sergeant in Massachusetts State Police attached to the Cape Cod Interagency Narcotics Unit. As one of the lead actors in the TV series, Dale does an excellent job portraying Ray. The character handles murder and narcotics cases. Meanwhile, James Badge Dale has a colorful acting career that saw him appearing in a lot of movies and TV series. He acted in “Rubicon” (as Will Travers), “Iron Man 3” (as Eric Savin), and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (as Adam Trent). However, none of these roles presented a complex character like the dogged law enforcement officer, Abruzzo.

Shane Harper:

Hightown S2E2 - Shane Harper

Born in 1993, Shane Harper is a dancer, songwriter, actor, and musician, who has acted in television series and films. He started acting in 2006 when he appeared in “Re-Animated” (as a dancer) and “Dance Revolution” (as a supporting dancer). Over the years, Shane also starred in “God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness” (as Josh Wheaton) and “The Time Capsule” (as Tom Paxton). In “Hightown,” the seasoned actor plays Junior McCarthy, Jackie’s friend, and a drug dealer. Sadly, the brilliant and complex character passes away after overdosing in a bathroom stall.


The series also features a bunch of recurring cast members. These actors include:

  • Crystal Lake Evans as Krista Collins
  • Luis Guzmán who appeared in season two as Jorge Cuevas
  • Joy Suprano as Patricia
  • Tonya Glanz as Trooper Leslie Babcock
  • Rumi C. Jean-Louis as Frankie Cuevas Jr.,
  • Ana Nogueira as Donna
  • Jona Xiao as Daisy
  • Ana Nogueira as Donna
  • Gia Crovatin as Devonne Wilson

What Happened in Season 2 of “Hightown?”

In “Hightown” season two, Jackie Quiñones finally gets her dream job as a law enforcement officer. Using her new job, she goes after Frankie, who she blames for the death of a friend (Junior McCarthy). Quiñones teams up with another female cop, Leslie Glanz. As Jackie goes through these changes in her professional life, she works tirelessly to stay away from drugs and alcohol. Her life is tumultuous due to betrayal, failures in the past, shame, and secrets.

On the other hand, Ray Abruzzo, a former sergeant in Massachusetts State Police, still has his eye on Frankie. He partners with Jackie to take down the drug dealer, even after being dismissed from the police force. The ex-detective is willing to do anything to get the job done. 

Meanwhile, Frankie counts on the support of his cousin Jorge to get what he wants. However, his path is fraught with pitfalls, violence, and chaos. The duo got released from prison after Renee set up Abruzzo.

The second season also sees more problems brought about by the opioid epidemic. Three Cape Cod teenagers tragically died due to an overdose of the Fentynal mix.

Will There Be a Season 3 of “Hightown?”

Produced by Lionsgate Television and Jerry Bruckheimer Television, “Hightown” is coming back for the third season, thanks to its popularity. No word on a premiere date yet.

Fans can look forward to a captivating, continuous crime drama plot. The upcoming season promises to bring more drama from the intriguing characters and cast.

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(images courtesy of Starz)

Heather Reinblatt

Contributing Writer, BuddyTV