Sylvester Stallone’s dive into TV with Tulsa King turned out to be a move that had fans buzzing, and behind the scenes, it was nothing short of epic. Season 2 saw a switch in gears, and the new showrunner couldn’t help but spill the beans on Stallone’s game-changing decision.
While Tulsa King had already packed a punch with its gritty storylines and mob drama, Stallone’s instincts pushed it even further, setting the stage for what’s looking to be one of the most talked-about seasons yet.
Terence Winter’s Return and Sylvester Stallone’s Game-Changer: Frank Grillo Joins Tulsa King Season 2
Tulsa King fans were in for a twist when Terence Winter, the original showrunner, returned to the show after stepping down in 2023. Exactly one year later, Winter came back as a writer and executive producer, rekindling his partnership with Sylvester Stallone and the rest of the Tulsa King team. Ahead of the show’s Season 2 premiere on September 15, Winter opened up about his decision to return and what’s next for Dwight “The General” Manfredi. He said:
I love working with Sly. I love the cast, the crew, and we got to the point where we solved whatever creative … we all got on the same page creatively, I think. And the fact that I got the opportunity to continue, I was absolutely not going to pass that up.
Stallone’s influence didn’t stop there. According to Winter, it was the 78-year-old’s idea to bring Frank Grillo into the mix for Season 2. Grillo’s casting was a crucial move (and he was the perfect fit), as Stallone needed a worthy antagonist who could hold his ground against the on-screen legend. Winter explained,
When we first started talking about that character, I think Frank was probably one of the first people he mentioned, and pretty much everybody was on board immediately. He came in and was a perfect fit. As I’ve said before, when you casting somebody to go up against Stallone as an antagonist, you need somebody with gravitas that’s not going to shrink.
Sly is very intimidating, and you need somebody that can look him in the eye and feel like they could stand their own with him, whether or not they can. These villains are a real threat. Both Neil and Frank bring with them that weight and gravitas you need to make it feel scary and real.
On the emotional front, Dwight’s character faced a personal dilemma. Winter teased that Season 2 would dive deeper into Dwight’s relationships with Margaret and his daughter. After 25 years in prison, Dwight was desperate to repair his broken family and find some semblance of peace.
Winter also reflected on the unique bond he shared with Stallone, even in the digital age. He shared that the two often stayed connected through Zoom, noting that Stallone preferred face-to-face conversations, even in the digital space. Unlike most people who opt for traditional phone calls, Stallone enjoyed looking someone in the eye while talking, embracing the old-school charm in a tech-savvy world.
Sylvester Stallone’s Real-Life Showdown: Battling Boxing Legends for Rocky’s Authenticity
Sylvester Stallone wasn’t just acting when he stepped into the ring for Rocky. He actually faced off with real heavyweight legends, like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. But it was Earnie Shavers who nearly knocked him out cold. “Earnie Shavers literally almost beat me to death without trying,” Stallone revealed, recalling the brutal session.
The actor’s sparring wasn’t just for kicks—it was to cast fighters for the movies. He quickly learned, though, that these champs didn’t hold back. Stallone’s dedication to authenticity gave Rocky its raw edge, proving that the punches on screen were as real as his bruises off it.
Tulsa King is available to watch on Paramount + & Apple TV.