Get ready, Tulsa King fans! Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone is officially set to return to the small screen as mob capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi in Tulsa King Season 3, as confirmed by Paramount+. The streaming service took to social media to make the exciting announcement, declaring that “Tulsa King Season 3 ‘is in the works!’”.
For those who joined the crew back in 2022, Tulsa King introduces us to Dwight “The General” Manfredi, a New York mafia capo portrayed by the legendary Sylvester Stallone. After serving 25 years behind bars, Dwight is released only to be exiled by his boss to set up shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Realizing his mob family might not have his best interests at heart, Dwight begins to assemble an unlikely “crew” to help him establish a brand-new criminal empire.
While the news of a third season is undoubtedly thrilling, there’s a surprising new change that makes this announcement particularly noteworthy: a shift behind the scenes in the showrunner role. But before we delve into that, let’s look at the official confirmation.
Paramount+ Confirms Season 3 is “In the Works!”
The official confirmation arrived on March 18, 2025, when Paramount+ made it clear that Tulsa King would indeed be returning for a third installment. According to the sources, the new season has been in production for the last few months, with filming officially kicking off this week in Atlanta and Oklahoma. This suggests that the wheels are already in motion to bring us the next chapter of Dwight Manfredi’s story. Given the show’s popularity, Paramount+’s enthusiasm for its continuation is palpable.
Dave Erickson Takes Over as Showrunner
Here’s where things get interesting. While fans are eagerly anticipating more of Dwight’s exploits, Season 3 will see a change in leadership. Dave Erickson, who is also the showrunner for another Taylor Sheridan series, Mayor of Kingstown, will be taking over as the new showrunner for Tulsa King.
This marks a significant shift for the series. For Season 1, Terence Winter served as the showrunner. Season 2 had a less traditional structure, with Craig Zisk joining as executive producer and director. A change in showrunner can often bring about notable shifts in a series’ creative direction, influencing its tone, pacing, and overall storytelling [Our Conversation History].
Erickson’s background as the showrunner for Mayor of Kingstown, another Taylor Sheridan production, is particularly noteworthy. Fans might anticipate potential similarities in the gritty and character-driven storytelling that both shows are known for [Our Conversation History]. It also raises the question of whether this signals a closer creative alignment within Taylor Sheridan’s growing universe on Paramount+ [Our Conversation History]. Could there be thematic or even subtle narrative connections between these series moving forward? Only time will tell.
What We Know About Tulsa King Season 3 (So Far)
Despite the showrunner change, some key elements remain consistent:
- Sylvester Stallone will undoubtedly be back in the lead role as the charismatic Dwight Manfredi.
- The supporting cast, which includes Martin Starr, Jay Will, Max Casella, Garrett Hedlund, and Vincent Piazza, are expected to return, although official confirmation for Season 3 isn’t explicitly stated in the provided sources [8, Our Conversation History].
- As mentioned, filming is underway in Atlanta and Oklahoma.
- Production has recently begun.
- It’s worth noting that Stallone reportedly closed a deal for two more seasons, suggesting that if Season 3 performs well, a Season 4 could very likely be on the horizon.
Gaps and What We’re Eager to Learn
As with any early confirmation, there are still several unknowns surrounding Tulsa King Season 3 [Our Conversation History]:
- Specific plot details for the new season are currently under wraps. What new challenges will Dwight face in his Tulsa empire? Will old enemies resurface?
- Beyond the mainstays, there’s no detailed news yet about new or returning characters. Fans will be keen to know which familiar faces from Dwight’s crew will be back and if any new key players will enter the scene.
- An official release date or timeline for Season 3 has not been announced yet.
- We also lack direct insights or quotes from Taylor Sheridan and Dave Erickson regarding the creative vision and direction for Season 3.
The Broader Context: Why Tulsa King Matters
Tulsa King‘s renewal underscores the significant presence of Taylor Sheridan on Paramount+. As the creator and executive producer, his shows have become a major draw for the streaming service. The success of Tulsa King is evident in its strong performance metrics:
- The Season 2 premiere achieved the highest number of global streaming viewers for a Paramount+ premiere at the time, with a staggering 21.1 million viewers.
- Tulsa King was recognized as being in the top 10 SVOD original series for Q4 of 2024.
- Remarkably, three Sheridan series, including Tulsa King, ranked in Nielsen’s top 10 for SVOD in Q4, a rare feat for a platform other than Netflix.
- Season 2 also garnered critical acclaim, boasting a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
These numbers highlight the strategic importance of Tulsa King for Paramount+ in the competitive streaming landscape, demonstrating its ability to attract a large audience and garner positive reviews.
Sylvester Stallone: A TV Leading Man
Tulsa King marks a significant milestone in Sylvester Stallone’s illustrious career, being his first leading role in a television series. His return for Season 3, and the reported two-season deal, underscores his commitment to the show. Stallone’s undeniable star power undoubtedly plays a significant role in the show’s popularity and viewership [Our Conversation History].
Conclusion: Looking Ahead to Tulsa King Season 3
The confirmation of Tulsa King Season 3 is welcome news for fans, promising more of Dwight Manfredi’s compelling story. However, the surprising change of Dave Erickson taking over as showrunner introduces an intriguing new dynamic behind the scenes. As production gets underway, we eagerly anticipate further details about the plot, new characters, and the direction Erickson will take this beloved series.
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