Sylvester Stallone Tulsa King fans will see a reunion as Stallone and Robert Patrick join forces again for the third season of the Paramount+ series. Their previous collaborations helped create a smooth dynamic on set when filming began ahead of the show’s September 21 premiere.
Stallone, 79, said their familiarity allowed them to communicate quickly and effectively during production.
“Because we know each other, we can speak in shorthand,”
he told Us Weekly. He praised Patrick’s ability to enter scenes naturally without overacting.
“Robert is one of these actors — which I love — he doesn’t always walk around angry in the mood, winding himself up,”
Stallone added.
Patrick’s Role as a Formidable New Character
In Tulsa King season 3, Robert Patrick takes on the role of Jeremiah Dunmire, a liquor kingpin whose presence complicates matters for Stallone’s character, Dwight Manfredi, and his crew. Stallone highlighted Patrick’s talent, explaining,
“To me, that is the earmark of a good actor,”
continuing,
“He could turn it on and off without always walking around hyperventilating, so by the time you get to the scene, you’re exhausted.”
Stallone has portrayed Dwight Manfredi since the show debuted in November 2022, and their past work together includes films such as Cop Land, Spy Kids, and D-Tox. He called Patrick’s addition to the show “fantastic,” emphasizing the positive impact on Tulsa King’s storyline.
Differences Between Film and Streaming Television Work
Discussing his evolving experience as an actor and producer, Stallone noted a clear difference in pace between traditional film sets and streaming television.
“We’ll do a movie, it’s a 40-day shoot — it used to be, sometimes a 100-day shoot — but somehow it just didn’t have the intensity or the frantic, frenetic pace of working in streaming,”
he explained.
Previously assuming TV roles might be less demanding, Stallone now recognizes the challenges of streaming schedules.
“There is no time to rest. They’re constantly flipping the script,”
he admitted.
“You memorized your lines, you get there [and hear], ‘Yeah, we changed everything.’ It’s hellacious, it really is. But films prepared me.”
He also reflected on the different demands of acting for film versus TV.
“There’s film acting, and then there’s TV acting, which is much more concise [and] faster. So a lot of times you don’t really get to emote the way you would in a feature film. But because of streaming, some of these shows are getting so dramatic, you’re seeing better acting on streaming.”
Stallone’s Creative Role Behind the Scenes
Besides starring, Sylvester Stallone contributes as an executive producer and writer for Tulsa King, often drawing inspiration spontaneously. Speaking on the season 3 red carpet on September 16, he shared an example of an idea struck during an unrelated TV appearance.
“I was on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and in the middle of the show, I got a good idea for Jay Will, who plays Tyson,”
Stallone said.
“You’re always trying to think, how do you make this group of misfits work as a family? Because without that, we don’t have a show.”
Ongoing Releases and Future Expectations
New episodes of Tulsa King season 3 are released every Sunday on Paramount+. With the addition of Robert Patrick’s character and Stallone’s continued creative input, the series promises to expand its complex portrayal of crime and loyalty in Tulsa. The reunion of Stallone and Patrick is expected to heighten the show’s tension and deepen its storytelling as the season unfolds.
