With Yellowstone coming to an abrupt end and 1923's sophomore outing delayed indefinitely, fans of the Taylor Sheridan universe can rest assured that one cigar-scented corner of the prolific producer's TV empire remains intact: The Sylvester Stallone mob dramedy Tulsa King will return for Season 2. The Paramount+ series was swiftly renewed in November 2022 after its record-breaking premiere garnered an unprecedented number of sign-ups for the streamer and beat out HBO's House of the Dragon to top 2022's most-watched cable series debuts.
Starring Sylvester Stallone in his first-ever leading TV role, the Western-gangster series follows grizzled mafia capo Dwight "The General" Manfredi on his sojourns through Tulsa — a deceptively quaint city with a vicious criminal underbelly. Dwight's efforts to cement a new Southern empire are challenged by local crime lords, a femme-fatale with a federal badge and, of course, his backstabbing New York mafia family. The series also stars Andrea Savage (You People), Domenick Lombardozzi (Armageddon Time), Garrett Hedlund (Lawmen: Bass Reeves) and Vincent Piazza (Boardwalk Empire). While there's no official release date for Tulsa King Season 2, behind-the-camera shakeups and Stallone's recent comments give us some idea of when we can expect the series to return. Read on for a rundown of potential plot points, cast members and an expected release date for Tulsa King Season 2.
How Did Tulsa King Season 1 End?
Warning: Spoilers ahead for Tulsa King Season 1
Like any self-respecting Taylor Sheridan series, Tulsa King's 9-episode first season ended on one heck of a cliffhanger. Dwight (Stallone) makes a clean break from the Invernizzi crime family, sending the upstart new Don, Chickie (Lombardozzi), back to New York. The Tulsa crew fights off the vicious biker gang Black Macadam in a shootout at Mitch's (Hedlund) bar, with Dwight delivering the killing blow to Macadam boss Caolan Waltrip (Ritchie Coster).
On the brink of victory, Dwight's paramour Stacy (Savage) sells him out to regain her position as a federal agent, and he's arrested for attempted bribery. The season ends with Dwight being stuffed into the back of a cop car, proving that time is indeed circular.
Who's in the Cast of Tulsa King Season 2?
In addition to Stallone's former mafia capo Dwight Manfredi, expect much of the Tulsa King Season 2 cast to remain the same. Martin Starr should return as Dwight's weed-dealing familiar Bodhi, along with Jay Will as his young driver Tyson and Andrea Savage as his former flame and current nemesis, the newly reinstated ATF Officer Stacy Beale. Garrett Hedlund, who's slated to appear in Sheridan's upcoming Lawmen: Bass Reeves series, should also reprise his role as the too-cool ex-con bar owner Mitch Keller. Here's a rundown of the rest of the main cast fans can expect to see in Season 2:
- Max Casella as Armand "Manny" Truisi
- Domenick Lombardozzi as Chickie Invernizzi
- Dana Delany as Margaret Deveraux
- Vincent Piazza as Vince Antonacci
- Chris Caldovino as Goodie
- Tatiana Zappardino as Tina
What's the Plot of Tulsa King Season 2?
Whatever Dwight's grand plans for his ever-expanding Tulsa crime ring in Season 2, there's the small issue of felony bribery to sort out first. He could always cut a deal and become an FBI informant, perhaps ratting on Chickie's New York dealings. But, as we know, The General adheres to a strict no-squealing policy. And then there's the issue of Caolan Waltrip's missing fortune: Dwight took roughly $8 million from the Black Macadam leader, using $1 million to pay off Stacy. Expect Tulsa King Season 2 to answer the $7 million question.
Tulsa King Season 2 Release Date
There's no official release date for Tulsa King Season 2 yet, and the writers' and actors' strikes have halted script-writing and production across Hollywood. So you can count out seeing The General and his Tulsa crew back in action until at least mid-2024. In a May interview, Stallone came out in support of the strike, but acknowledged that the Tulsa King team "can't move forward" on the new season just yet.
To make matters worse, series creator Taylor Sheridan booted Tulsa King's showrunner Terence Winter, the Emmy-winning writer behind The Sopranos and The Wolf of Wall Street, during the show's first season due to creative differences. Paramount has not yet found a replacement showrunner for the new season. And given Sheridan's backlog of unfinished projects (ahem, Yellowstone), fat chance Tulsa King makes it to the top of the heap. In fact, it's probably more likely that Stallone's reality TV series returns for its announced second season before Tulsa King makes its way back to the screen. Watch this space for any updates on the show's return.
Tulsa King Season 1 is now streaming on Paramount+.
