The highly anticipated third season of Paramount+’s hit crime drama Tulsa King is set to make its explosive return this fall. After dominating streaming charts and becoming the platform’s number one original series in 2024, the Sylvester Stallone-led show continues to expand its criminal empire both on and off screen.
Created specifically for Stallone by prolific showrunner Taylor Sheridan, Tulsa King has carved out its own unique space in the crowded landscape of crime dramas. The series follows Dwight “The General” Manfredi, a New York mobster who finds himself exiled to Tulsa, Oklahoma, after serving 25 years in federal prison.
What started as a punishment has transformed into an opportunity for Dwight to build something entirely new. The character’s journey from displaced capo to Oklahoma crime boss has resonated with audiences worldwide, leading to not just renewal but expansion of the Tulsa King universe.
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Tulsa King Season 3 Release Date and Episode Count
Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 21, 2025, when Tulsa King Season 3 officially premieres on Paramount+. The third installment will follow the streaming platform’s established weekly release schedule, giving fans something to look forward to each week through the fall season.
Season 3 will consist of ten episodes, matching the episode count of the previous season. This expanded format allows the creative team more room to develop the increasingly complex storylines and character relationships that have become hallmarks of the series.
The season finale is scheduled to air on November 23, 2025, perfectly positioning the show’s climactic moments during the Thanksgiving weekend. This strategic timing suggests Paramount+ expects significant viewership momentum as the season builds toward its conclusion.
For those looking to catch up or revisit previous seasons, both Tulsa King Season 1 and Season 2 remain available for streaming exclusively on Paramount+. The first season, which premiered in November 2022, consisted of nine episodes, while the second season expanded to ten episodes when it launched in September 2024.
New Cast Members Join Sylvester Stallone for Season 3
The most significant addition to Tulsa King Season 3 comes in the form of legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson, who joins the cast as Russell Lee Washington Jr. Jackson’s character represents a blast from Dwight’s past, having served time alongside the protagonist during his lengthy federal prison sentence.
Russell Lee Washington Jr. arrives in Tulsa with a specific mission that threatens to upend everything Dwight has built. However, Jackson’s role extends beyond just Season 3, as his character will serve as the launching point for an upcoming spinoff series titled NOLA King, set in New Orleans.
Robert Patrick, known for his work in the Yellowstone universe, brings his commanding presence to the role of Jeremiah Dunmire. Patrick’s character represents the season’s primary antagonist, described as a powerful figure with deep pockets who operates within Tulsa’s liquor business. The Dunmire family’s old-money influence poses a different kind of threat than Dwight has previously encountered.
Kevin Pollak steps into the role of Special Agent Musso, an FBI agent with personal motivations that extend beyond standard law enforcement duties. Pollak’s character is described as having “an axe to grind,” suggesting a more complex relationship with Dwight than typical federal investigations might entail.
Beau Knapp, familiar to audiences from his work on SEAL Team, portrays Cole Dunmire, the volatile son of Robert Patrick’s character. Cole is characterized as a “trust fund country boy with crazy in his eyes,” indicating he may be even more unpredictable than his powerful father.
Bella Heathcote rounds out the major new additions as Cleo Montague, a Tulsa native whose family owns a local distillery. Her character’s deep roots in the community could provide either valuable local knowledge or additional complications for Dwight’s expanding operations.
James Russo brings his extensive crime drama experience to the role of Quiet Ray Renzetti, a New York mob boss whose calm demeanor masks potentially dangerous intentions. Russo’s character represents the ongoing connections between Dwight’s past life and his current situation in Oklahoma.
Returning Cast and Characters
Sylvester Stallone returns as the heart and soul of the series, reprising his role as Dwight “The General” Manfredi. Stallone’s portrayal of the aging mobster adapting to life in Oklahoma has earned critical acclaim and audience devotion, making him the anchor around which the entire series revolves.
Martin Starr continues his role as Bodhi, the mastermind behind Dwight’s legal cannabis operation. Starr’s character has evolved from a simple marijuana dispensary owner to a crucial member of Dwight’s inner circle, providing both comic relief and strategic thinking.
Jay Will returns as Tyson Mitchell, Dwight’s trusted right-hand man whose loyalty has been tested and proven throughout the series’ run. The relationship between Dwight and Tyson represents one of the show’s most compelling dynamics, bridging generational and cultural gaps.
Dana Delany reprises her role as Margaret Devereaux, the rancher who has become Dwight’s primary romantic interest. Their relationship adds emotional depth to the series while also providing Dwight with important local connections and legitimacy.
Garrett Hedlund returns as Mitch Keller, the local good old boy whose integration into Dwight’s crew has provided both muscle and local knowledge. Frank Grillo continues as Bill Bevilaqua, the Kansas City mob boss whose alliance with Dwight has created new opportunities and complications.
The family connections remain strong with Annabella Sciorra returning as Joanne Manfredi, Dwight’s sister, and Tatiana Zappardino as Tina Manfredi-Grieger, his daughter. These relationships ground the series in emotional reality while highlighting the personal costs of Dwight’s criminal lifestyle.
Season 3 Plot: Dwight Faces His Biggest Threat Yet
Season 3 picks up the threads left dangling by the dramatic Season 2 finale, where viewers witnessed Dwight’s arrest by an FBI SWAT team. The mysterious federal agent’s declaration that “You work for us now” sets up what promises to be a complex exploration of Dwight’s relationship with law enforcement.
The Dunmire family emerges as the season’s central antagonist, representing a different kind of power than Dwight has previously encountered. Unlike the street-level criminals or even organized crime families he’s dealt with before, the Dunmires wield old-money influence and operate by rules that don’t align with traditional criminal codes.
Jeremiah Dunmire and his unpredictable son Cole pose threats that extend beyond physical violence or territorial disputes. Their deep roots in Tulsa’s legitimate business community and political connections create obstacles that can’t be solved through traditional mob tactics.
The official season synopsis reveals that as Dwight’s empire expands, so do his enemies and the risks to his crew. This expansion brings new challenges that test not only Dwight’s criminal acumen but also his ability to protect the people who have become his chosen family in Oklahoma.
Samuel L. Jackson’s Russell Lee Washington Jr. arrives with a mission that initially appears straightforward but becomes increasingly complex as old loyalties clash with new realities. The character’s presence forces Dwight to confront aspects of his past while navigating present dangers.
The season explores themes of loyalty, family, and the price of power as Dwight must balance his growing influence with the increasing attention it brings from both law enforcement and rival criminal organizations. The FBI’s apparent interest in turning Dwight into an asset adds another layer of complexity to his already precarious situation.
Behind the Scenes: New Showrunner and Production Changes
Season 3 brings significant changes behind the camera, with Dave Erickson taking over as showrunner from the previous season’s unofficial co-showrunners Terence Winter and Craig Zisk. Erickson brings extensive experience from his work on another Taylor Sheridan production, Mayor of Kingstown, making him well-versed in the creative ecosystem surrounding Tulsa King.
The production continues to be a collaboration between MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios, the same companies behind Taylor Sheridan’s other successful series including Yellowstone and its various spinoffs. This production partnership ensures continuity in the high production values and storytelling approach that have made Sheridan’s shows consistently successful.
Filming for Season 3 has moved from the show’s original Oklahoma locations to the Atlanta area, following a trend established in Season 2. This change allows for more controlled production conditions while still maintaining the authentic feel that has made the series distinctive.
Sylvester Stallone’s commitment to the project extends beyond his starring role, as he continues to serve as both writer and executive producer. Reports indicate that Stallone earns over $1.5 million per episode for his work on the series, reflecting both his star power and his creative contributions to the show’s development.
The executive producer roster includes an impressive array of industry veterans: Taylor Sheridan, Stallone, Dave Erickson, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Jim McKay, Sheri Elwood, Ildy Modrovich, and Keith Cox. This team brings decades of combined experience in creating successful television drama.
NOLA King Spinoff Connection
The introduction of Samuel L. Jackson’s character serves a dual purpose, both advancing the current season’s storyline and setting up the highly anticipated spinoff series NOLA King. This expansion of the Tulsa King universe represents Paramount+’s confidence in the franchise’s potential for growth.
NOLA King will follow Russell Lee Washington Jr. as he returns to New Orleans after a 40-year absence, inspired by what Dwight has accomplished in Tulsa. The spinoff explores themes of redemption and second chances as Washington attempts to reconnect with his family and friends while building his own criminal enterprise.
The New Orleans setting provides a rich backdrop for exploring different aspects of organized crime, from the city’s unique cultural landscape to its complex relationship with both legitimate business and criminal activity. Washington’s return to his hometown after decades away creates opportunities for both nostalgic reconnection and dangerous confrontation.
The character’s appearance in Tulsa King Season 3 serves as both a threat to Dwight’s operation and a preview of what audiences can expect from the spinoff series. This interconnected storytelling approach allows viewers to become invested in Washington’s character before following him to his own series.
Dave Erickson was originally slated to serve as showrunner for NOLA King as well, but scheduling conflicts forced him to step back from that role. This change highlights the ambitious scope of the expanding Tulsa King universe and the challenges of managing multiple interconnected series simultaneously.
Tulsa King’s Success and Future
The series has exceeded all expectations since its premiere, becoming Paramount+’s number one global original series in 2024. This achievement is particularly impressive given the competitive landscape of streaming television and the platform’s growing roster of high-profile original content.
Tulsa King ranked among the top ten original series across all subscription video-on-demand platforms during the fourth quarter of 2024, demonstrating its appeal extends far beyond Paramount+’s subscriber base. This broad popularity has translated into both critical acclaim and commercial success for the streaming service.
The show’s success has already secured its future, with Paramount+ renewing Tulsa King for a fourth season before the third season even premieres. This early renewal demonstrates the network’s confidence in the series’ continued popularity and provides the creative team with the security to plan longer-term story arcs.
Tulsa King represents a crucial component of Taylor Sheridan’s expanding television empire, which includes the Yellowstone franchise, Lioness, Landman, and Mayor of Kingstown. This interconnected web of series has made Sheridan one of the most powerful creators in television, with Paramount+ serving as the primary home for his productions.
The series’ success has also validated Paramount+’s strategy of investing in high-profile talent and creator-driven content. Stallone’s transition from movie star to television leading man has proven that established film actors can find new audiences and creative fulfillment in the streaming television landscape.
What to Expect from Tulsa King Season 3
Season 3 promises to deliver the perfect blend of character development and high-stakes action that has made the series a standout in the crime drama genre. The introduction of the Dunmire family as antagonists suggests a more sophisticated level of conflict than previous seasons have explored.
The relationship between Dwight and the FBI, established by the Season 2 cliffhanger, will likely provide ongoing tension throughout the season. This dynamic creates opportunities for moral complexity as Dwight navigates between his criminal instincts and potential cooperation with law enforcement.
Samuel L. Jackson’s presence brings both star power and dramatic weight to the proceedings. The veteran actor’s chemistry with Stallone, developed during their shared scenes, promises to create some of the season’s most compelling moments while setting up the future spinoff series.
The expanded cast allows for more complex storylines and character interactions. The addition of characters with deep Tulsa roots, like Bella Heathcote’s Cleo Montague, provides opportunities to explore the local community’s relationship with Dwight’s growing influence.
Action sequences and crime drama elements will continue to be balanced with the character-driven storytelling that has distinguished Tulsa King from other series in the genre. The show’s ability to find humor and humanity within its criminal milieu remains one of its greatest strengths.
The season’s ten-episode structure provides ample time for both plot development and character exploration. This format allows the creative team to build tension gradually while providing satisfying payoffs for long-term storylines and character arcs.
As Dwight’s empire continues to expand, viewers can expect to see the personal costs of his success become increasingly apparent. The series has always excelled at exploring the human consequences of criminal activity, and Season 3 promises to continue this tradition while raising the stakes for everyone involved.
