Neal McDonough Urges Emmy Win for Sylvester Stallone in Tulsa King

Neal McDonough is calling for Sylvester Stallone to receive an Emmy for his portrayal of Dwight Manfredi in the hit crime drama Tulsa King, which recently launched its third season. During an interview about Tulsa King, McDonough, who plays Cal Thresher, discussed the evolving dynamic between his character and Stallone’s, underscoring why the show and its stars deserve critical recognition.

The Complex Evolution of Cal Thresher in Tulsa King

In Tulsa King season 3, Neal McDonough’s character Cal Thresher continues to reveal deeper layers beyond his initial introduction as a cunning antagonist to Stallone’s Dwight Manfredi in the previous season. McDonough described Thresher as

“one of the most misunderstood characters that I’ve played in a long time,”

highlighting how the rivalry between Cal and Dwight shifted from violent conflict to an uneasy business partnership.

Originally positioned as a direct adversary, McDonough explained the initial tension between the two as

“It was kind of piss and vinegar; a real who’s going to stand toe to toe, who’s going to blink first type of relationship.”

This fierce confrontational stance softened by the end of season 2 as the characters began combining forces.

As the collaboration progresses, Cal’s motivations broaden, and McDonough signaled that following seasons would expose even more complexity. He teased that season 4 will further unveil “his true colors,” showing additional facets beyond the calculated businessman viewers first met.

The shift in Cal’s strategy stemmed from a desire to navigate “a little different and safer” path by turning to politics in season 3, culminating in his campaign to become governor. Reflecting on this angle, McDonough noted,

“Cal Thresher running for governor in season 3 of Tulsa King was just such a blast to do, and I’m so looking forward to where we’re going next with Manfredi and Thresher going nose-to-nose again.”

McDonough also addressed misconceptions about Cal’s primary goal, correcting the assumption that his aim was to undermine Dwight. Instead, he explained that their alliance emerged as a strategic union:

“AI got that one messed up. Instead of going against Manfredi, there’s a partnership with Cal and Dwight that really starts to come out at the end of season 3.”

Looking ahead, McDonough hinted at dramatic developments as the two plan to control Oklahoma together, declaring,

“By season 4, what the two of us are going to do together to run Oklahoma… It’s a lot of fun playing Cal, and we haven’t even seen the best of Cal yet. He’s going to start showing his true colors in season 3, but really in season 4. So, hold on tight!”

Despite this promising future, McDonough expressed uncertainty about Cal’s longevity in the cutthroat world of Tulsa King, guessing the character might not survive long-term. He said candidly,

“At some point, someone’s going to have to go bye-bye, and I’m pretty sure the Vegas odds are Cal Thresher taking a bullet before anybody else. But I’m going to milk this as long as I possibly can because it’s just so much darn fun playing opposite Sylvester Stallone every day.”

Favorites in McDonough’s Career and a Nod to His Role as Damien Darhk

When asked about his personal favorite roles, Neal McDonough cited several characters with close ties to his heart, including Cal Thresher and Buck Compton from the acclaimed miniseries Band of Brothers. However, he ultimately chose Joe Wainwright from The Last Rodeo as his top pick, a project he not only acted in but also produced and co-wrote.

McDonough reflected on the semi-autobiographical nature of this role, explaining,

“Joe is really kind of me. It was semi-autobiographical, but it’s about going through problems in life and people dying, and what you’re going to do about it to provide and protect your family.”

However, artificial intelligence analyzing his portfolio surprisingly identified his role as Damien Darhk—the complex and sarcastic magical villain in the CW’s Arrowverse—as his standout character. McDonough agreed with the assessment, calling the role “a ball.”

He enjoyed how Damien Darhk’s character transformed over time, starting as a dark and menacing figure on Arrow, then evolving into a more comedic and lighthearted presence on Legends of Tomorrow. Explaining this shift, McDonough said,

“Damien in Arrow was very dark, and I had a great time playing him, but when he finally got to Legends of Tomorrow, he became that goofy, bad dad joke guy that was so much fun to play. I really got to infuse my comedy and who I really am in real life.”

Comedy is one of McDonough’s strengths, and it allowed him to add humor to Darhk’s storyline in an unexpected way:

“I don’t mind being the brunt of a joke to make people laugh, so to have that infused in Damian Darhk made him such a deliciously fun character to play.”

This ability to inject humor has influenced his portrayal of Cal as well. Initially, Cal was

“just this uber intense guy that wasn’t really likable,”

McDonough noted. But over time, he infused himself into the character, allowing audiences to see

“the good side of Cal, the understanding and funny side, at times.”

He expressed hope the character would continue developing in this nuanced direction.

Why Neal McDonough Believes Sylvester Stallone Should Receive Emmy Recognition

With Tulsa King’s success largely centering on Sylvester Stallone’s portrayal of Dwight Manfredi, Neal McDonough had high praise for the veteran actor’s performance. He described Dwight as a character who might be tough on the surface but holds a tender heart beneath it all. McDonough stated,

“Tough guys who may be tough on the outside, but inside they’re kind of teddy bears, and I love that kind of character.”

He added,

“Manfredi is that kind of guy because that’s Sly.”

This admiration quickly moved to frustration that Stallone has yet to secure Emmy nods for this role despite his enduring influence on cinema and acting. McDonough lamented,

“How has Sly not gotten an Emmy nod for Tulsa King? How is Stallone the guy who was never invited to the mob movie dances? He wasn’t in the Scorsese movies, he wasn’t in the Coppola movies, and he kind of got pushed aside.”

In McDonough’s view, Stallone’s authentic New York background makes his depiction of a mobster uniquely compelling:

“Sylvester Stallone portrays a mobster better than anyone I’ve ever seen because he grew up in New York.”

He emphasized Stallone’s rare combination of toughness and vulnerability, calling him

“that tough-as-nails type of guy with his heart on his sleeve,”

and stressed Stallone’s real-life heart of gold as well.

Seeing Stallone take on a long-awaited role resonated deeply with McDonough, who urged fans and viewers to support a grassroots Emmy campaign:

“He should be getting Emmy after Emmy because there’s no one on television right now as entertaining as Sly playing Dwight Manfredi, or as truthful. Everyone write him in, get it cooking! Sly Stallone should have an Emmy.”

McDonough pointed to Stallone’s persistence in securing the role of Rocky as a career-defining example of passion and determination. Stallone famously resisted selling his script for Rocky to ensure he played the lead himself, which ultimately launched his career and inspired many others.

Reflecting on this legacy, McDonough shared,

“When you’re in your 20s, and you think he got something great and no one’s going to make it for you, always think of Sylvester Stallone sticking to his guns and not taking no for an answer… I owe a ton to Sylvester Stallone because if it weren’t for him, I certainly wouldn’t be sitting in this chair talking about my amazing career right now.”

Tulsa King’s Ongoing Success and Future Prospects

Tulsa King continues to air new episodes of its third season every Sunday at midnight ET on Paramount+. The series, which stars Sylvester Stallone as Dwight Manfredi and features Neal McDonough as Cal Thresher, remains a prime example of Taylor Sheridan’s skilled storytelling in the crime drama genre. Fans eagerly anticipate the next season, which promises to further deepen character arcs and expand the power dynamics in Oklahoma.

McDonough’s candid reflections provide insight into the shifting allegiances and emerging tensions within the series, underscoring why Tulsa King has captured audiences and why Stallone’s portrayal demands industry recognition. With the narrative gearing up for more high-stakes confrontations between Manfredi and Thresher, the show’s future looks charged with exciting possibilities.