The second season of Paramount+’s Tulsa King hits the ground running and delivers more of what made the first season so enjoyable. Sylvester Stallone is back to his best.
The inaugural season of Tulsa King was an absolute blast. The series, concocted from the mind of Yellowstone’s Taylor Sheridan, delivered Sylvester Stallone’s best role in years and solidified itself as a must-see gem of television. Cast as Dwight Manfredi, a former New York mob capo, Stallone made the role his own and crafted a beautifully multilayered character that was as brutal as lovable. Now, the show’s second season is about to hit Paramount+, and with the cliffhanger from last season’s finale waiting to be resolved, the season premiere has us on the edge of our seats. But can Taylor Sheridan deliver another solid season of television gold? Or has Stallone run out of steam for another round in the gangster trenches?
Fear not, Tulsa King fans. The hit show’s second season hits the ground running and delivers more of what made the first season so enjoyable. Sylvester Stallone again embraces the role with incredible energy and presents us with more of the lovable, roguish qualities that made him a household name. Plus, all the supporting characters are back for the new season, keeping the exciting vibe. Jay Will as Tyson Mitchell and Garrett Hedlund as Mitch Keller are among the familiar faces, bringing even more depth to their roles. The result is a new season that keeps up the momentum and continues to impress, just like when it first came out in 2022.
REVIEW
The series doesn’t miss a beat and picks up where the season finale left off. Dwight is invited to enjoy the hospitality of the Federal Government after being arrested for bribing federal agent Stacy Beale. With their love affair in the toilet, Beale is determined to put Dwight behind bars and throw away the key. But it quickly becomes apparent that the Government’s case isn’t as clear-cut as it seems. As the case unfolds, the aftermath of season one’s events keeps causing trouble. The conflict between Dwight’s businesses in Tulsa and the New York cartel heats up as old clues are pursued.
Like last season, Don Charles “Chickie” Invernizzi is out for revenge against Dwight, leading to several new plot threads that will be delightful to watch unfold. New characters are stepping into the spotlight, and a new wave of conflict is ready to propel season two into a gripping spiral of tension, intense action, and intrigue that rivals the first season.
BRILLIANT STALLONE!
The first season was at its best when it harnessed Stallone’s acting chops and enticed the undeniable machismo he still possesses. Season two continues the trend to glorious effect. For the most part, Sly doesn’t miss a beat and slips straight into gear. In Dwight Manfredi, he has found another larger-than-life character that is easy to love and hard to ignore. And that is a triumph in itself. Like Rocky Balboa, Dwight is a complicated, layered, and tortured anti-hero for which we can all root. In season two, Stallone brings his A-game and continues to impress. Considering Tulsa King represents his first foray into television, he certainly doesn’t deliver anything but his best work.
In a recent article, I said this series has singlehandedly put him back on top. Never has a truer word been spoken. Even when Dwight is incarcerated and seemingly at his lowest point, Stallone digs deep to maintain the high energy the character demands. Whether exuding self-assurance and unrelenting aggression or donning a stunning suit, Stallone always manages to impress, showcasing the true essence of a Hollywood legend. Seeing Sly thrive in a role that fits him like a glove is terrific, and his energy for the role is infectious.
SUPPORTING CAST
Stallone has a knack for transferring his energy to the supporting cast, and it shows as the ensemble delivers powerful performances, giving it their all. The supporting cast served as the backbone to the pillar that is their leading man in the first season, and that recipe for success continues in the new episodes. Every character gets time to shine and feel rejuvenated as they bask in Stallone’s orbit. Dana Delany stole the show as Margaret Devereaux in season one, and I am delighted to see her back in the saddle. Here, she is rewarded with a more significant part than her initial appearance as a mere love interest.
With the new episodes, she’s laying the groundwork for the season’s main storyline. Her actions lead Dwight to face a significant new opponent, which causes her some conflict. The storyline is a shoo-in to deliver some juicy twists and turns as the series unfolds. Jay Will’s Tyson Mitchell returns as Manfredi’s driver and occasional moral compass and helps to keep things grounded. Tatiana Zappardino returns as Dwight’s daughter Tina Manfredi-Grieger, who I am delighted to report has a far more substantial role this season. With her relationship with her father restored Tina has far more involvement here.
I’m excited to see the relationship develop, especially after the strong bonding displayed in the first three episodes.
THE MANFREDI CRIME SYNDICATE
Martin Starr is back as legalized weed seller Lawrence “Bodhi” Geigerman, and his involvement in this season promises to expand his role even further. Max Casella returns as Armand “Manny” Truisi, and the breakdown of his relationship with his wife and children is a beautiful counterpoint to the bravado of the crime syndicate. Casella is doing a great job with the material and giving a powerful emotional performance that adds weight to the season. His story will be pivotal in the second season, and his actions might change everyone’s lives. Annabella Sciorra returns as Dwight’s younger sister, Joanne, and fortunately, she will be part of the main roster for an extended period.
Finally, Garrett Hedlund is back as Mitch Keller and his storyline will give him a more significant part this season. Like Stallone, Hedlund’s star quality oozes through his performance and delivers some of the premiere episode’s best moments. The first few episodes drop hints about possible storylines for Mitch that could definitely push him to the top of the Manfredi Crime Syndicate. If these pan out, the series is going to get really exciting!
PRODUCTION
Thankfully, the winning formula applies across the board. The writing in season two is equally impressive as in the first season. Once again, Terence Winter returns to oversee the script work for season two with William Schmidt, Dave Flebotte, Joseph Riccobene, Stephen Scaia, and Taylor Elmore, who will be offering their talents throughout the season. Even more impressive is that Sylvester Stallone has thrown his Oscar-winning writing skills into the mix and has helped pen both the season premiere and season finale. So, this new season has everything going for it, and some juicy plot twists will be waiting for us to uncover. And that is the hallmark of a great series.
VERDICT
The second season of Tulsa King has kicked off with a bang! From Stallone’s winning performance to Terence Winter’s brilliant screenplays, the series hits the ground running and doesn’t look back. The fantastic ensemble cast delivers where it counts and adds some much-needed heart to the series as a whole. Ultimately, the opening episodes deliver more of what we love and add some fun new elements. The result is a welcome slice of television gold. Come for the story, stay for a masterclass from a Hollywood A-Lister back at the top of their game.
If this is a sign of things to come, we are in for another slice of television brilliance on Paramount+. So settle in, pack a bag, and head back to Tulsa for another round in the mafia trenches. Just be sure to stay on Dwight’s good side!
Tulsa King Season 2 will premiere on Sunday, September 15 on Paramount+.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
