Terence Winter Rejoins “Tulsa King” as Writer, Show Takes New Direction

Award-winning writer Terence Winter is making a comeback to the hit series “Tulsa King,” signaling a fresh turn for the Paramount+ drama.

Renowned for his work on “The Sopranos,” Winter initially helmed the show’s debut season in 2022. Now, he’s back in the fold, focusing solely on writing duties after creative clashes with creator and executive producer Taylor Sheridan.

“Tulsa King” follows the journey of former mobster Dwight ‘The General’ Manfredi, portrayed by Sylvester Stallone, as he builds a new criminal empire in Oklahoma. Winter’s return comes amid speculation over the show’s direction following his departure and Sheridan’s hands-on approach to his projects.

While Winter won’t resume his role as showrunner, his position as an executive producer and writer underscores his commitment to the series. Insiders reveal Winter’s renewed involvement allows him to concentrate on storytelling while maintaining a close collaboration with Stallone.

The decision to forgo a traditional showrunner in favor of an unnamed executive producer and director aims to streamline production and foster a cohesive vision.

Winter’s reentry into “Tulsa King” follows the success of its debut season, which garnered impressive ratings, ranking second only to Sheridan’s “Yellowstone” prequel, “1923.” CBS has picked up the show’s first season for broadcast this summer, indicating its growing popularity.

Aside from “Tulsa King,” Winter has a slew of projects in the pipeline, including collaborations with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way banner and Paramount.

Sheridan’s unconventional storytelling approach, driven by character-driven plots, has been both praised and criticized. His emphasis on character dynamics over conventional plot structures has led to clashes with previous showrunners.

“Tulsa King” boasts a stellar cast including Andrea Savage, Martin Starr, Max Casella, Domenick Lombardozzi, Vincent Piazza, Jay Will, A.C. Peterson, Garrett Hedlund, and Dana Delany.

As the series gears up for its highly anticipated second season, Winter’s return promises to inject new life into the show’s narrative, setting the stage for more gripping storytelling and character-driven drama.