Tulsa King star Frank Grillo explains how Dwight and Bill’s relationship evolves in season 2. Created by Taylor Sheridan, who is best known for creating the Yellowstone universe, the hit Paramount+ crime series returned for its sophomore outing this month, continuing the story of Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight “The General” Manfredi as he attempts to build his criminal empire in Oklahoma. Grillo’s Bill Bevilaqua, a mob boss from Kansas City, has emerged as a key figure in the Tulsa King season 2 cast as a potential obstacle in Dwight’s journey.
In a recent interview with MovieWeb, Grillo touches on his dynamic with Stallone both on-screen and off in Tulsa King. The actor is careful not to reveal too much, but he does tease that the Dwight and Bill relationship will lead to some sparks later on in season 2:
“I’ve known Sly a long time, and then he called me, and it was like, ‘Wow, that’s, this is weird. Like, is the universe really listening?’ You know, I had such a great time shooting the season with him, and it ends in a bang . And yeah, I’m excited.”
Interestingly, Grillo acknowledges that, while Dwight and Bill may have started off as enemies in the first two episodes, that’s not necessarily how their dynamic will continue as season 2 progresses, with the actor saying that the relationship “goes in another direction.” Grillo even addresses a potential Tulsa King season 3, suggesting Bill survives the events of season 2. Read Grillo’s additional comments below:
“It’s that classic kind of, you know, [Sly’s character is] someplace that belongs to me, and he’s there without my permission. And when I come to ask for what’s mine… you know, the rest of it ensues. And it starts out where we’re so adversarial, and it goes in another direction, and that’s what I loved about it. I got to do some great stuff with [Sly] and got even closer to him. And who knows, maybe we’ll be back for Tulsa season 3.
“He’s a special guy, and there’s no accident that he’s Sylvester Stallone. At his age… he comes to play, man, and you better know what you’re doing on his set. You better know what you’re doing, not just, like, know your lines, but you better know what you’re doing… And I got to go head-to-head.”
What Grillo’s Tease Means For The Rest Of Tulsa King Season 2
Will Dwight & Bill Become Allies?
Though Grillo doesn’t reveal any specifics, his comments do paint an interesting picture regarding how the rest of Tulsa King season 2 will play out. The first two episodes have established two new antagonists as Dwight attempts to increase his power and his hold over Oklahoma, with Bill being one of them. The other is Cal Thresher (Neal McDonough), who is revealed to have the U.S. District Attorney on a leash and is pushing hard to get Dwight prosecuted.
Season 2 episodes thus far have been somewhat slower, but the pressure on both sides is sure to only intensify. As season 1 shows, allies and partnerships are a critical part of getting a criminal empire off the ground, and partnering with Bill could be a way in which Dwight lessens pressure on at least one front. In order to partner with Bill, however, Dwight will have to offer something in return, and this could mean cutting him in on a business, such as the wind farm he’s trying to buy in Tulsa King season 2, episode 2.
Our Take On The Bill & Dwight Dynamic In Tulsa King Season 2
Grillo’s Character Has A Lot Of Potential
With only two episodes having been released thus far, Bill remains a somewhat mysterious character. Grillo’s performance, however, has established the mob boss as a captivating figure, and leaning into a Bill and Dwight storyline could have a lot of narrative potential. What will be difficult, however, is building any sense of loyalty and trust between these two criminal figures.
It’s likely that future episodes of season 2 will delve more into Bill, revealing the extent of his power, what types of connections he has, and whether there’s a potential for any kind of business relationship with Dwight. While many questions remain, it certainly sounds like audiences should expect Tulsa King season 2 to get a lot more action packed as new episodes release.