Tulsa King Season 4 Sets October 16 Premiere
Paramount+ will premiere the fourth season of Tulsa King globally on October 16, 2026, with the cast and creatives celebrating the launch at PaleyFest New York on October 10. The event featured a screening of the first episode followed by a panel with star and executive producer Sylvester Stallone, head writer and executive producer Terence Winter, and cast members Martin Starr, Jay Will, Garrett Hedlund, Frank Grillo, Vincent Piazza, Gretchen Mol, and Scarlet Rose Stallone, moderated by TVLine's Kim Roots.
The new season finds Dwight Manfredi (Stallone) fighting to legitimize his empire while protecting his crew from corrupt politicians, dangerous new enemies, and a crushing personal loss. According to the official synopsis, every hard-won gain comes with harder truths about loyalty, leadership, and the cost of ambition, dragging Dwight deeper into the street instincts he left behind in New York and turning Tulsa into a battleground.
A Shocking Premiere Promised
Neal McDonough, who returns as Governor Cal Thresher, told Nerdtropolis that audiences are not prepared for the season's opening episode. "The first episode starts out, you know, it's pure drama. And I think the audiences are going to be shocked at some of the things that happened," McDonough said. He praised series creator Taylor Sheridan as "a master at suspense and drama and oh my goodness moments," adding that the premiere "encapsulates exactly his thought process." McDonough emphasized the importance of capturing viewers immediately in today's crowded television landscape: "You come out of the gate swinging, and that's what you have to do nowadays because there's so many shows on television."
Season 5 Already in Production, Relocating to New York City
Even before Season 4 debuts, Paramount+ has confirmed that Tulsa King Season 5 is already in production and will relocate the series from Oklahoma to New York City. The move represents a significant format shift for a show that has spent its first four seasons building Dwight's criminal enterprise in Tulsa.
Garrett Hedlund, who plays Mitch Keller, told ScreenRant's Grant Hermanns that he is thrilled about the change. "It's a beautiful way to not only go to the next level" but also to "reinvigorate" the show's formula, Hedlund said. He expressed excitement about working on "Terence Winter's home turf," citing Winter's prior work on The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, and The Wolf of Wall Street as evidence that the series can hone in on "the underbelly" of its original premise. "He gets to be a kid in the candy shop, and a kid in the playground all at the same time," Hedlund said of Winter. "This is his world, so I look forward to reading each episode, because it certainly feels like not a lot of shows get the chance to completely geographically relocate, but move even closer to the soul and the gist of what the show always kind of was."
Cast Additions and Promotions
Season 5 will see Scarlet Rose Stallone promoted to series regular, while Erik Palladino, Glenn Fleshler, Anthony Skordi, and Nickola Shreli join in series regular roles. The relocation to New York puts Dwight back in the city he left behind, potentially setting up a collision between his Oklahoma empire and his old mob ties.
Sylvester Stallone Envisions Six-Season Run
In an interview with Collider, Stallone revealed that he could see the series running for six seasons. "I'd say six in the dream world. Six. That would make me, like, 81, and that's amazing because this show makes me feel younger," Stallone said. "You have to work so hard, and your brain is on fire constantly as opposed to sitting at home, atrophying behind a fishing rod — nothing against fishermen, but this is what keeps me young."
Stallone's comments suggest a clear endpoint for the series, though Paramount+ has not officially confirmed a final season. The actor's enthusiasm for the physical and mental demands of the role indicates that he remains committed to the show as long as the story warrants.
Stakes Rise as Dwight Fights to Legitimize His Empire
Season 4 picks up with Dwight launching the Montague Distillery alongside his friends and crew, an attempt to transition from criminal enterprise to legitimate businessman. However, the synopsis warns that corrupt politicians, dangerous new enemies, and a devastating personal loss will hit from every direction. The season promises to test Dwight's leadership and loyalty as he navigates the blurred lines between his legitimate ambitions and his street instincts.
The return of Neal McDonough as Governor Cal Thresher adds political tension, while Frank Grillo, Dana Delany, and Gretchen Mol reprise their roles. Vincent Piazza also joins the cast, further expanding the ensemble.
A Turning Point for the Series
The decision to move the show to New York for Season 5 marks a major creative pivot. While Tulsa King has always been about a New York mobster transplanted to Oklahoma, the shift back to the East Coast suggests the series is entering a new phase. Hedlund's comments about moving "closer to the soul and the gist of what the show always kind of was" indicate that the creative team sees the relocation as a way to deepen the series' ties to its mobster roots.
Broader Implications for Taylor Sheridan's Expanding Universe
Tulsa King remains a key part of Taylor Sheridan's growing television empire, which includes the Yellowstone universe, Mayor of Kingstown, Landman, and upcoming projects like Marshals and Dutton Ranch. Sheridan's ability to juggle multiple hit series has made him one of the most prolific creators in television. The success of Tulsa King — which has already produced three full seasons since its 2022 debut — underscores the appetite for crime dramas with complex antiheroes.
The show's relocation to New York also places it in a more competitive landscape, where it will inevitably be compared to classic mob dramas like The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire. With Terence Winter at the helm, the series is leaning into that comparison rather than shying away from it.
What's Next for Dwight Manfredi
As Season 4 prepares to launch, fans can expect a season that tests Dwight's ability to protect his crew and his legacy. The premiere's shocking events, teased by McDonough, will set the tone for a season that promises high stakes and emotional fallout. Meanwhile, Season 5's New York move signals that the story is far from over. Whether the series ultimately reaches Stallone's dream of six seasons remains to be seen, but for now, Tulsa King is expanding its territory — both geographically and narratively.
Tulsa King Season 4 premieres October 16 on Paramount+.
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