Sylvester Stallone has embraced a new challenge in television by starring in the lead role of Taylor Sheridan’s acclaimed Mafia drama, Tulsa King. Marking Stallone’s first major TV role, the Rocky star revealed that the demanding production schedule of Tulsa King contrasts sharply with making films, describing it as an intense and unyielding process.
In Tulsa King, Stallone portrays Dwight “The General” Manfredi, a former Mafia boss who, after spending 25 years in prison, arrives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, determined to rebuild his criminal empire. Now in its third season with a fourth confirmed, the series has forced Stallone into a rigorous filming routine that he described as exhausting and relentless. He noted the immense challenge of working in television’s fast-paced environment:
“TV is much harder, much harder, much faster. It’s unrelenting. And also it just battles your brain all over. It’s like being punched with a jab every 10 seconds because nothing’s ever done in continuity. You’re jumping here, you’re jumping there, and, ‘All right, we’re ready.’ I’m like I just got back, [and they’re like] ‘We’re ready, come on back out.’ So it’s unrelenting. Whereas in a film we used to have 90 day shoots. Here you have to do two hours in 11 days, 12 days. So if you really break it down, one season on Tulsa King, is the equivalent to five Rocky movies in time. Because you have each Rocky movie is a two-hour movie, right? Those two hours are just two episodes. You still have eight more to go to finish the series. So it’s a lot of work.”
Sylvester Stallone, Actor
Adapting to Television’s Fast Pace and Demands
Unlike film productions where shoots can span months, Stallone explained that television requires much quicker turnarounds, demanding constant shifts in focus and scenes shot out of sequence. This fragmented shooting style challenges actors to stay mentally agile and remain deeply connected to their characters despite rapidly changing contexts. The pace and intensity contrast heavily with the comparatively slower, more contained film shoots he was used to, contributing to a grueling work-life rhythm.
Stallone’s experience on Tulsa King illustrates the increasing pressures on actors transitioning from cinema to the television landscape, where filming schedules are compressed, and work is consistently fast-moving. Each season of Tulsa King packs in a workload equivalent to multiple full-length feature films, further illustrating how unrelenting Stallone has found the process.
The Unique Role of Dwight “The General” Manfredi
In creating the character of Dwight Manfredi, Stallone found an opportunity to bring more of himself into the role than ever before. Unlike previous characters he has portrayed, this role aligns closely with his own personality, giving the part a distinct dimension. He shared insight into how this collaboration came about with series creator Taylor Sheridan:
“Taylor Sheridan rang me up at 10 O’Clock at night. He goes, ‘I got this concept about a gangster, fish out of water being banned to Tulsa, Oklahoma.’ I went, I’m in, because I’ve always wanted to play a gangster but play it a little differently. It had been done so brilliantly before, with Tony Soprano and Casino and all that. When we were all allowed to work others, Terence Winter, myself and Taylor, we kind of came up with this, one thing necessary was heart and some humor, because that hadn’t been done really, not really in a long-running character. So that was the intrigue. Also, I basically wanted to play myself, the concept of waking up one morning and going like you’re not an actor, you’re a gangster, but you have the same personality. So what you see up there is pretty much me.”
Sylvester Stallone, Actor
This blending of actor and character adds authenticity and heart to the series, setting it apart from other Mafia dramas that Stallone referenced, including The Sopranos and Casino. The character’s combination of toughness, humor, and humanity emerged as a guiding principle for the show’s narrative approach, enabling Tulsa King to carve out its own unique space in the crowded genre.
Expanding the Tulsa King Universe and Its Future
Although critical responses to Tulsa King’s third season have been mixed, the show remains a strong contender in the television landscape, especially with Taylor Sheridan’s involvement. Paramount has already greenlit a fourth season, which is expected to begin production next year. The timeline suggests the series will continue to evolve and develop Stallone’s character further.
The franchise is also growing with a spin-off titled NOLA King, set in New Orleans and starring Samuel L. Jackson. This new series will expand the world introduced in Tulsa King, with Jackson’s character making his debut during the third season of the original show. This expansion indicates an investment in building a broader Mafia drama universe attached to Sheridan’s creative vision.
With Tulsa King’s tough and demanding work schedule, along with its rapidly growing narrative scope, Sylvester Stallone and the ensemble cast, including Martin Starr as Lawrence “Bodhi” Geigerman, are deeply engaged in a project that challenges their endurance and showcases their range. Stallone’s portrayal of Dwight Manfredi embodies the complex mixture of resilience and vulnerability, making the series a noteworthy addition to the crime drama genre.
Main Cast Spotlight
- Sylvester Stallone as Dwight “The General” Manfredi, a former Mafia boss rebuilding his empire after prison.
- Martin Starr as Lawrence “Bodhi” Geigerman, a key ally within Tulsa King’s narrative.
