Tulsa King currently has two seasons, with a third season confirmed and in production. Season 1 premiered on Paramount+ in November 2022 with 9 episodes, and Season 2 followed in September 2024 with 10 episodes. The show follows a New York mafia capo, Dwight “The General” Manfredi, who is released from prison after 25 years and is exiled to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he builds a new criminal empire.
Background: The Story and Its Creators
Tulsa King was created by Taylor Sheridan, best known for Yellowstone, and Terence Winter, the writer behind The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire. The series stars Sylvester Stallone in his first leading television role, playing Dwight Manfredi. Stallone also serves as an executive producer. The show blends crime drama with fish-out-of-water comedy, as Dwight navigates a world far from the New York mob life he knew, dealing with Oklahoman locals, a federal agent, and rival criminal factions.
The series was initially conceived as a film starring Stallone, but it was reworked into a television series for Paramount+. It became one of the streaming service’s most-watched originals, and its success was a key factor in the renewal for a second season. The show’s tone is lighter than Sheridan’s other dramas, leaning into Stallone’s charisma and the odd-couple dynamics of Dwight’s new crew.
Season 1: Exile and Building a Crew
Season 1 (2022) sets up the premise. After serving 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit (he took the fall for his boss), Dwight expects to be rewarded. Instead, he is sent to Tulsa, a city he knows nothing about. He quickly identifies opportunities and begins building a crew of unlikely locals, including a bartender, a dispensary owner, and a former rodeo cowboy. His ambition soon puts him in conflict with a local biker gang and a powerful rancher, while a federal ATF agent begins to suspect his activities.
The season’s 9 episodes were released weekly, and the finale left several threads open: Dwight’s daughter re-enters his life, and a looming threat from New York emerges. The season was praised for Stallone’s performance, though some critics noted the pacing was uneven. It holds a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the audience score significantly higher.
Season 2: The Empire Grows and The New York Threat
Season 2 (2024) picks up shortly after the events of Season 1. Dwight’s operation in Tulsa has expanded, but his past catches up with him. The New York mob family, led by a new boss, sends a crew to collect a cut of his profits, and a power struggle ensues. Meanwhile, the ATF agent, Stacy Beale, is under pressure to bring Dwight down, and a new district attorney in Tulsa is making life difficult for his legitimate businesses.
The season’s 10 episodes deepen the character arcs, particularly for Dwight’s daughter, Tina, and his driver, Tyson. It also introduces a new antagonist in the form of a ruthless Kansas City mob figure. The season was well-received, with many critics noting it improved on the first, and it ended on a significant cliffhanger involving a major character’s fate.
Season 3: Confirmed and What We Know
Paramount+ renewed Tulsa King for a third season in October 2024, before Season 2 concluded. Production for Season 3 is expected to begin in 2025, with a likely premiere in late 2025 or early 2026. While no plot details have been officially announced, the Season 2 finale sets up a new status quo: Dwight has eliminated his New York rivals, but he now faces a larger threat from the Kansas City mob and potential federal prosecution. The show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, has hinted that future seasons will explore Dwight’s attempts to legitimize his empire while keeping his criminal side hidden.
Stallone has stated in interviews that he hopes the show will run for several more seasons, and the producers have indicated they have a long-term story arc in mind. The show’s ratings remain strong, making a fourth season likely if the third performs well.
Cast and Characters
The main cast is led by Sylvester Stallone as Dwight Manfredi. Other principal actors include:
- Andrea Savage as Stacy Beale, an ATF agent who becomes romantically involved with Dwight.
- Martin Starr as Bodhi, a dispensary owner and Dwight’s early ally.
- Jay Will as Tyson, a young cab driver who becomes Dwight’s protégé.
- Max Casella as Armand Truisi, a dim-witted New York mobster sent to help Dwight.
- Domenick Lombardozzi as Don Charles “Chickie” Invernizzi, the New York mob boss who resents Dwight.
- Vincent Piazza as Vince Antonacci, Chickie’s ambitious underboss.
- Garrett Hedlund as Mitch Keller, a rancher’s son who becomes part of Dwight’s crew.
- Dana Delany as Margaret Deveraux, a wealthy horse farm owner and love interest in Season 2.
Several recurring characters appear in both seasons, including Dwight’s daughter Tina (Tatiana Zappardino) and his ex-wife Joanne (Annabella Sciorra). The show also features notable guest stars, such as Frank Grillo in a Season 2 cameo.
How to Watch and Episode Count
Tulsa King is a Paramount+ original, so all episodes stream exclusively on that platform. You can also watch it on the Paramount Network channel when it airs on cable, but new episodes debut on streaming first. The first season has 9 episodes, and the second has 10, for a total of 19 episodes as of this writing. Each episode runs about 40-50 minutes.
If you’re new to the show, it’s worth noting that the series is not a true story, but it does draw on real elements of Oklahoma culture and the history of organized crime in the Midwest. The show’s depiction of Tulsa is largely filmed in Oklahoma, which adds authenticity.
Comparisons to Other Crime Dramas
Fans of The Sopranos and Breaking Bad will find familiar themes in Tulsa King, but the show has a distinct tone. Unlike the grim realism of The Sopranos, Tulsa King is more of a character-driven dramedy, with Stallone delivering one-liners and a sense of humor about his situation. Some critics have compared it to Ozark for its fish-out-of-water premise, but Tulsa King is less dark and more optimistic. The show also shares DNA with Taylor Sheridan’s other work, particularly Yellowstone, in its focus on land, legacy, and the clash between traditional values and modern corruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be a season 3 of Tulsa King?
Yes, Season 3 has been officially confirmed by Paramount+. Production is expected to begin in 2025, and a release date has not yet been announced, but it will likely premiere in late 2025 or early 2026.
How many episodes are in Tulsa King Season 2?
Season 2 has 10 episodes, which aired from September 15, 2024, to November 17, 2024, on Paramount+.
Is Tulsa King based on a true story?
No, the series is fictional. However, the creators have said they were inspired by real stories of mobsters being relocated to unlikely places, and the show incorporates authentic Oklahoma locations and culture.
Why did Sylvester Stallone leave New York in the show?
In the show, Dwight is sent to Tulsa by his mob family as a form of exile. He had been imprisoned for 25 years without implicating them, and they reward him by giving him a “territory” to run, but it’s a demotion and a way to keep him away from New York.
Where can I watch Tulsa King?
All episodes are available exclusively on Paramount+. You can also purchase individual episodes or seasons on platforms like Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV, but streaming is the primary way to watch.
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