Tulsa King Season 3 Premiered September 21 2025 on Paramount Plus

Tulsa King Season 3 officially premiered on September 21, 2025, exclusively on Paramount+. The return of Dwight "The General" Manfredi marks a pivotal chapter in the expanding crime saga created by Taylor Sheridan. Following the explosive conclusion of the second season, the new episodes dive deeper into the gritty underworld of Oklahoma, showcasing Dwight’s struggle to maintain his empire against local powers and old-world enemies.

The third season consists of ten episodes, releasing weekly every Sunday. This schedule culminated in a high-stakes season finale on November 23, 2025. With a new showrunner at the helm and legendary additions to the cast, Season 3 represents a significant evolution in both tone and scale for the series.

Full Episode Release Schedule for Tulsa King Season 3

For viewers planning their viewing or binge-watching sessions, the rollout of Tulsa King Season 3 followed a strict weekly format. Each episode dropped on Paramount+ at midnight PT / 3 AM ET on Sunday mornings.

This consistent release pattern allowed the series to build significant social media momentum, especially leading into the debut of Samuel L. Jackson in the penultimate episode, which served as a backdoor pilot for the upcoming spin-off series.

Who is in the Tulsa King Season 3 Cast?

The third season saw a major shakeup in the hierarchy of Tulsa, with several new heavyweights entering the fray while some familiar faces departed. Sylvester Stallone continues to lead the series with a performance that balances the aging capo’s vulnerability with his lethal professional instincts.

New Key Characters

• Robert Patrick as Jeremiah Dunmire: A powerhouse in the liquor business, Jeremiah represents "old money" influence in Oklahoma. Unlike the street-level thugs Dwight previously encountered, Dunmire uses political and economic leverage to challenge the Manfredi crew.
• Beau Knapp as Cole Dunmire: The volatile son of Jeremiah, Cole acts as the primary physical antagonist, often clashing with Tyson and the rest of Dwight’s enforcers.
• Samuel L. Jackson as Russell Lee Washington Jr.: Introduced in the ninth episode, "Dead Weight," Jackson plays a legendary hitman. His appearance was not just a cameo but a strategic move to launch NOLA King, a spin-off set in New Orleans.
• Kevin Pollak as Special Agent John Musso: An FBI veteran with a personal vendetta, Musso represents the growing federal heat on Dwight’s operations.
• Bella Heathcote as Cleo Montague: A Tulsa native and distillery owner’s daughter, she becomes an essential ally—and potential complication—for Dwight’s legal business ventures.

Returning Main Cast

• Martin Starr as Bodhi: The tech-savvy dispensary owner remains Dwight’s most reliable business strategist.
• Jay Will as Tyson Mitchell: In Season 3, Tyson moves away from being a mere driver and steps into a leadership role within the crew, though his "side hustle" creates friction with Dwight.
• Garrett Hedlund as Mitch Keller: The former bull rider and bar owner continues to provide the muscle and the sanctuary of the Bred-2-Buck.
• Annabella Sciorra as Joanne Manfredi: Dwight’s sister takes on a more prominent role in managing the family’s domestic affairs and moral compass.
• Dana Delany as Margaret Devereaux: Her relationship with Dwight deepens, even as the violence of his world threatens the sanctity of the Fennario horse ranch.

Plot Overview: The War for Tulsa’s Soul

The narrative of Season 3 shifts from establishing a foothold to defending a kingdom. In our assessment of the early episodes, the writing feels sharper, focusing on the collision between Dwight’s "New York rules" and the entrenched power of the Dunmire family.

The Dunmire Conflict

The central plot revolves around Dwight’s attempt to secure a major distillery deal to legitimize his wealth. This brings him into direct conflict with Jeremiah Dunmire. Unlike the Invernizzi family in New York, who Dwight understands perfectly, the Dunmires operate with a level of local immunity that makes them incredibly dangerous. The season explores the "Art of War" in a modern rural setting, where legal filings are as deadly as drive-by shootings.

The Federal Pressure

With Special Agent John Musso entering the picture, the stakes for Dwight are higher than ever. Season 3 highlights the difficulty of maintaining a criminal empire in the digital age. The FBI’s involvement forces Dwight to make uncomfortable alliances, including a temporary truce with Agent Musso to neutralize a shared threat, as seen in the third episode, "The G and the OG."

The Rise of Tyson

One of the most compelling character arcs in Season 3 is the evolution of Tyson Mitchell. No longer just the wide-eyed kid from the first season, Tyson deals with the consequences of the lifestyle he chose. His "dead weight" side hustle and his run-ins with the Dixie Mafia show a character grappling with the dark reality of being a mobster's right-hand man.

A Change in Leadership: The Dave Erickson Era

A significant behind-the-scenes change occurred for Season 3, with Dave Erickson taking over as showrunner. Erickson, known for his work on high-stakes dramas, brought a more grounded and serialized approach to the series compared to the earlier seasons managed by Terence Winter.

While Terence Winter established the unique "fish out of water" comedy-drama tone, Erickson leaned into the "Sheridan-verse" strengths: expansive landscapes, intense family dynamics, and a slower, more deliberate building of tension. The shift is palpable in the cinematography, which feels more cinematic, and the dialogue, which has traded some of its New York wit for Oklahoman grit.

Filming Location Shift

Interestingly, Season 3 marked a full transition of production to Atlanta, Georgia, and various parts of Oklahoma. While the first season faced logistical challenges in Oklahoma City, the production team utilized Atlanta's robust infrastructure to recreate the Tulsa skyline and the surrounding rural areas. This change was reportedly driven by the cast and crew's feedback regarding production conditions during the filming of Season 2.

Expanding the Tulsa King Universe

The success of Tulsa King has led Paramount+ to double down on the brand. Fans of the show should be aware that the story doesn't end with Season 3.

Season 4 Renewal

Paramount+ officially confirmed the renewal of Tulsa King for Season 4 on September 17, 2025, just days before the Season 3 premiere. Sylvester Stallone has expressed his commitment to the role, stating that Dwight is "just getting started." The fourth season is expected to deal with the fallout of the Season 3 finale and the "new menace" that emerged at the Bred-2-Buck.

The NOLA King Spin-off

The introduction of Samuel L. Jackson as Russell Lee Washington Jr. is the bridge to NOLA King. This series will follow Jackson’s character as he moves from the Tulsa environment to the unique cultural and criminal landscape of New Orleans. This expansion suggests that Taylor Sheridan is building a "Kings of the South" interconnected universe, where characters from different cities may eventually cross paths.

What is the best way to watch Tulsa King Season 3?

Tulsa King Season 3 is a Paramount+ original. To watch it, a subscription to Paramount+ is required. The series is available in 4K UHD for subscribers on the Premium tier, providing the best visual experience for the sweeping shots of the Oklahoma plains (and their Atlanta-based recreations).

For international viewers, the release dates largely aligned with the US schedule, though some regions may have experienced a slight delay depending on local licensing agreements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Sylvester Stallone leaving Tulsa King after Season 3?

No. Despite rumors regarding his retirement from television, Stallone is confirmed to return for Season 4. His social media activity and official press releases from Paramount+ indicate he is fully invested in the character of Dwight Manfredi for the foreseeable future.

How many episodes are in Tulsa King Season 3?

There are exactly 10 episodes in the third season. This is an increase from the 9 episodes in the first season, matching the length of the second season.

Why did the showrunner change for Season 3?

Terence Winter stepped down as showrunner due to creative differences with creator Taylor Sheridan. While Winter remained involved as a writer, Dave Erickson was brought in to provide a fresh perspective and lead the production through the third and fourth seasons.

Where can I find the Tulsa King Season 3 soundtrack?

The soundtrack for Season 3, featuring a mix of country, blues, and classic rock, is available on major streaming platforms. The show continues to use music to emphasize the cultural clash between Dwight’s East Coast roots and his Mid-Western reality.

Does Samuel L. Jackson appear in every episode?

No. Samuel L. Jackson’s character, Russell Lee Washington Jr., was introduced in Episode 9, "Dead Weight," and played a major role in the Season 3 finale to set up his own spin-off series.

Summary of the Season 3 Experience

Tulsa King Season 3 succeeded in raising the stakes for the Manfredi crew. By introducing the Dunmire family and the looming presence of the FBI through Agent Musso, the show moved past its initial premise of a "fish out of water" and became a complex study of power, legacy, and the price of legitimacy. The premiere on September 21, 2025, kicked off what many critics consider the show's strongest season to date. With the expansion into NOLA King and the guaranteed return for Season 4, the world of Dwight Manfredi is larger and more dangerous than ever. Whether you are a fan of Stallone’s legendary career or Sheridan’s modern Westerns, Season 3 delivered a masterclass in crime drama.