The hit Paramount+ show “Tulsa King” has begun production on its fourth season. The show seemingly has everything going for it, but behind the scenes, things have turned to chaos. So, how can a show with one of today’s top creative minds (Taylor Sheridan), an A-list lead actor (Sylvester Stallone), and full support from the streamer end up in disarray? That is exactly what the cast and crew want to know.
“Tulsa King” Left Without a Showrunner…Again
With production in the early stages for Season Four of “Tulsa King,” one would think that the series would have all its ducks in a row. That does not appear to be the case on the set of the hit show. The series currently has no official showrunner, and that is rapidly becoming an issue on set.
Terence Winter filled the role when the Paramount crime drama began, but he left that role before the start of the second season. Season Two had no official showrunner, but Craig Zisk, the executive producer and director, filled that role for the most part. Dave Erickson took over the role for the third season, but he and Stallone butted heads creatively, and the former did not return to the role for the new season. Stallone pushed for the return of Winter, but his return was limited to that of the head writer and an executive producer in Los Angeles. “Tulsa King” is filmed in Atlanta.
Chaos and Drama
Photo courtesy of Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn.
As the new season neared, stunt coordinator Freddie Poole, who received Emmy nominations for his work on the first two seasons, questioned 101 Studios as to who would be the showrunner for Season Four. He was told by the executive in charge of production, Scott Stone, that the studio would be running the show.
Poole and 25 other crew members spanning stunts, hair, transportation and sound were then suddenly let go right and replaced just days before the start of filming. Many did not know they were being replaced until someone they knew sent them a job listing for their position. Poole later told Variety, “The manner in which this was done was just unprofessional and unnecessary.”
Stone has become a sort of de facto showrunner, working closely with the “Tulsa King” unit production managers. However, he and the production managers (Rebecca Rivo and Christian Agypt) have no involvement in the writing or directing aspects of production. That has evidently become a problem. The disconnect of having no creative leadership on set has lowered morale.
It is not unusual for a television series to have someone from the production company involved in the daily business aspect of filming. It is highly unusual, though, for there not to be a creative lead on set and for a production executive to have the power that Stone currently wields. Executives do not usually make creative calls. All of this has led to a lot of dissension and drama on the set to start off “Tulsa King” Season Four production.
Some Final Thoughts
It has to be frustrating for the actors, writers, and directors to have suits making creative calls on the set. Stallone has already dealt with issues in the last two seasons, and this cannot sit well with him. This can’t make Sheridan happy either. Paramount has a good thing going with their mafia series. It would be a shame if something were to happen to it, capiche?
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