The Unstoppable King of Tulsa: A Power Play by Paramount+

In the cutthroat world of streaming, an early renewal is the ultimate vote of confidence. On September 16, just as audiences were settling in for the third season’s premiere, the official announcement dropped: Tulsa King will be back for Season 4. This isn’t just standard procedure; it’s a strategic power play by Paramount+. Since its debut, the series has been a crown jewel for the service, reportedly driving record sign-ups and consistently ranking as one of its most-watched original series. Taylor Sheridan’s Midas touch, combined with Sylvester Stallone’s magnetic, career-redefining performance, has created a bonafide phenomenon.

The decision to renew so early speaks volumes about the network’s faith not only in the existing storyline but in the long-term vision for Dwight Manfredi’s saga. It allows the creative team to write towards a future, planting seeds in Season 3 that can fully blossom in Season 4 without the looming uncertainty of cancellation. For a show built on long-term power struggles and the slow, meticulous construction of a criminal enterprise, this foresight is invaluable. It assures viewers that their investment in Dwight’s journey from exiled mobster to Oklahoma kingpin won’t be cut short, solidifying Tulsa King as a foundational pillar of the ever-expanding Sheridanverse.

Charting the Course for Season 4: Timelines and Creative Shakeups

With the renewal locked in, the conversation immediately shifts from “if” to “when.” While Paramount+ has kept a tight lid on official dates, we can look at the show’s established production rhythm to piece together a likely timeline and understand the crucial creative forces shaping its future.

Whispers from the Production Timeline

Predicting Hollywood schedules can be a fool’s errand, but Tulsa King has developed a remarkably consistent cadence. Filming for Season 2 wrapped in August 2024, followed by a mid-September premiere. Similarly, Season 3 concluded its principal photography in July 2025 before its own September debut. Following this pattern, it’s reasonable to infer that the gears for Season 4 will begin turning in earnest in early 2026. If production kicks off in the first or second quarter of that year, a release date in mid-to-late 2026 seems like a very safe bet. This schedule gives the post-production team ample time to polish the episodes and allows the marketing machine to build anticipation. Fans should keep an eye out for the first promotional materials—teasers and trailers—to likely start dropping around August 2026, heralding The General’s return to the screen.

The Mastermind’s Return: Terence Winter’s Grand Comeback

Perhaps the most significant piece of news for the upcoming season has nothing to do with timelines or casting, but with the creative mind steering the ship. It was confirmed by Variety that Terence Winter, the acclaimed writer and producer behind modern crime classics like The Sopranos and the creator of Boardwalk Empire, will be returning as head writer and executive producer for Season 4. This is a monumental development. Winter was the original showrunner for Season 1 but famously departed ahead of the second season due to creative differences, transitioning into a more hands-off consulting role for Season 3.

His full-fledged return to the writer’s room is a clear signal that the show is doubling down on sophisticated, character-driven crime storytelling. Winter is a master of exploring the moral ambiguities of the criminal life, the psychological toll of power, and the complex dynamics of loyalty and betrayal. His re-entry suggests that Season 4 could delve even deeper into the gritty, nuanced territory that made his previous work legendary. Fans can likely expect sharper dialogue, more intricate plotting, and a renewed focus on the internal struggles of Dwight Manfredi as he navigates the treacherous waters of his self-made kingdom. It’s a move that promises to elevate an already-great show to the next level of prestige television.

The Gang’s All Here? Casting Shadows and New Blood

A king is nothing without his court—or his enemies. While the chaotic events of Season 3 will undoubtedly thin the herd, we can speculate on the key figures who will shape the narrative of Season 4, starting with the man at the center of it all.

The General’s Enduring Reign

It is impossible to imagine Tulsa King without Sylvester Stallone. The role of Dwight Manfredi fits the 77-year-old icon like a perfectly tailored suit, allowing him to flex both his intimidating physical presence and his surprisingly adept comedic timing. After 25 years in prison, Dwight is a man out of time, and Stallone plays this anachronistic quality with a perfect blend of world-weary gravitas and bemused charm. His performance has been universally praised as a late-career highlight, proving he is far more than just an action hero. Season 4 will undoubtedly continue to revolve around Stallone’s powerful central performance as Dwight grapples with the ever-increasing pressures of his position.

Friends, Foes, and Future Flashpoints

Surrounding Dwight is a motley crew of allies and adversaries. We can expect to see the return of his core Tulsa team, including the sharp-witted pot-shop owner Bodhi (Martin Starr), his loyal driver and protégé Tyson (Jay Will), and the fiercely protective ATF agent Stacy Beale (Andrea Savage), whose complicated relationship with Dwight remains a ticking time bomb.

The bigger question marks hang over the show’s antagonists. Season 3 introduced the formidable Robert Patrick as Jeremiah Dunmire, a rival with deep roots and a dangerous agenda. In a conversation with TV Insider, Stallone hinted at a long-term conflict, stating, “He has to just eventually, eventually throw down and say, ‘I know you’re going to try to kill me.’ So, we’re going to try to work this out, or one of us has got to go. That’s the theme… It continues into the next season.” This quote all but guarantees that the Dunmire threat, and potentially his son Cole, will bleed into Season 4, setting the stage for an explosive confrontation for control of the territory. The question isn’t if they will clash, but who will be left standing when the dust settles.

Expanding the Empire: From Oklahoma to the Big Easy

The world of Tulsa King is about to get a whole lot bigger. Taylor Sheridan has never been one to contain his stories to a single location, and he’s applying the same successful universe-building strategy from Yellowstone to his new slate of shows.

Introducing the NOLA King

Season 3 brought another Hollywood legend into the fold: Samuel L. Jackson as Russell Lee Washington, an ex-con and old prison acquaintance of Dwight’s. But his appearance is more than just a guest spot; it’s a backdoor pilot. In a major announcement confirmed by Deadline, Jackson’s character will headline his own spin-off series, titled NOLA King. The series will follow Washington as he leaves Tulsa behind to build his own criminal enterprise in the vibrant and volatile city of New Orleans.

This development is thrilling for several reasons. First, it establishes a direct, tangible link between two series in the Sheridanverse, creating opportunities for potential crossovers down the line. Second, it promises a completely different flavor of crime drama. Where Tulsa is a story of a man building from nothing in an unfamiliar landscape, New Orleans offers a rich, historically complex setting with its own established power structures and traditions. According to reports, Washington’s character will initially “go against Dwight in Tulsa” before heading south, suggesting their relationship in the main series will be fraught with tension, setting up a rivalry that could span two different shows. Filming for NOLA King is reportedly eyeing a February start, which could see its production run parallel to Tulsa King Season 4, weaving a larger, interconnected narrative tapestry for Paramount+.

What’s Next for Dwight Manfredi’s Criminal Enterprise?

With a master writer at the helm and a universe expanding around him, what does the future hold for Dwight Manfredi’s criminal empire? Season 4 is poised to explore the consequences of his rapid ascent and the enemies he’s made along the way.

Old Scores and New Battlegrounds

Dwight’s primary problem has always been fighting a war on two fronts. In Tulsa, he must contend with local threats like Dunmire and the watchful eye of the law. But the ghosts of his past still loom large. The Invernizzi crime family in New York, who exiled him in the first place, have not forgotten him. As his power and wealth in Oklahoma grow, he becomes a bigger threat and a more tempting target for his old associates. Season 4 could see a full-scale war erupt between Dwight’s burgeoning Tulsa operation and the established might of the New York mob, forcing him to defend his new home from the very people he once served. With Terence Winter’s pen guiding the story, expect these conflicts to be less about simple shootouts and more about complex betrayals, shifting allegiances, and the high-stakes chess match of organized crime.

The Future of the Manfredi Legacy

Beyond the immediate threats, Season 4 will likely tackle a more existential question for Dwight: what is this all for? After spending a quarter of a century in a cage, his primary motivation has been freedom and self-determination. But now that he has power, what is his endgame? Is he building a legacy? Is he grooming a successor in Tyson? Or is he simply a man destined for a violent end, enjoying the ride while it lasts? As Dwight gets older, these questions of legacy, mortality, and the true price of his chosen life will become more pressing. The upcoming season has the opportunity to explore the man behind the myth, delving into the lonely-at-the-top reality of being a king and forcing Dwight to decide what kind of ruler he truly wants to be.

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Source: https://www.techradar.com