Tulsa King takes an unconventional route for its second season without a new showrunner, under the guidance of an executive producer and director duo.
More than a year after the departure of Terence Winter from the helm of Paramount+’s mob drama, Tulsa King, the show is taking an unconventional route for its second season. Winter, known for his work on Boardwalk Empire and The Sopranos, stepped down over creative differences but continues to shape the series as an executive producer and writer. This move signals a significant shift in production dynamics as the show, created by Taylor Sheridan and featuring Sylvester Stallone, seeks to maintain its momentum without appointing a new showrunner.
Shift in Leadership
Following Winter’s departure, the Tulsa King production team has opted not to name a new showrunner. Instead, an executive producer and director duo will guide the series’ production aspects. This decision underscores a flexible approach to leadership within the series’ creative team. Winter’s ongoing involvement, particularly in scriptwriting and dialogue development with Stallone, ensures that the show’s narrative direction remains consistent with its inaugural season. The ensemble of executive producers, including Stallone, David C. Glasser, and others, suggests a collaborative effort to steer the show into its next chapter.
Background and Vision
Winter’s vision for Tulsa King diverged from Sheridan’s initial concept, bringing depth to the character of Dwight Manfredi, played by Stallone. In Winter’s adaptation, Manfredi is portrayed at a more reflective stage of his life, having spent 25 years in prison and seeking to redefine his existence in Tulsa, a stark contrast to the Kansas City setting Sheridan envisioned. This narrative shift, as detailed by Winter in a Deadline interview, adds complexity to the series, exploring themes of redemption and reinvention beyond the conventional mob drama tropes.
Looking Forward
The production of Tulsa King Season 2, set to take place in Georgia due to logistical considerations, faces the challenge of evolving without a traditional showrunner. Yet, the continued involvement of key figures like Winter and Stallone, coupled with the series’ early success and record-breaking sign-ups for Paramount+, suggests a promising future. As the series ventures into its next season, the collaborative production model and the deepening exploration of its central character’s journey offer a fascinating case study in television production and narrative innovation.
The adaptation of Tulsa King without a traditional showrunner is a bold move that reflects the changing dynamics of television production. As the series prepares for its second season, the focus will be on how this decision impacts the storytelling and whether the collaborative approach can sustain the show’s initial success. With a strong team of executive producers and Winter’s continued contribution, Tulsa King is positioned to further explore the complexities of its characters and the world they inhabit, offering audiences a rich, evolving narrative.