Sylvester Stallone’s portrayal of Dwight “The General” Manfredi in “Tulsa King” has captivated audiences, but Season 2 is set to showcase a new backdrop. After the inaugural season was filmed in Oklahoma, the production is officially moving to the Atlanta metropolitan area in Georgia. This shift has sparked discussions about film incentives and the economic impact of television productions on different states.
Season 1 of the hit Paramount+ series, “Tulsa King,” was primarily filmed in Oklahoma, utilizing the state’s diverse locations to bring the story of a New York gangster establishing a criminal empire in Tulsa to life. Prairie Surf Studios in downtown Oklahoma City served as the central production hub for the first season. Rachel Cannon, CEO of Prairie Surf Studios, acknowledged the departure, stating to The Oklahoman, “We loved hosting this incredible series for its first season and wish them the best wherever they land.” Despite the studio’s positive experience, Season 2 is heading elsewhere.
Alt text: Sylvester Stallone as Dwight “The General” Manfredi in a still image from Tulsa King, showcasing his character in a pensive mood.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution first reported that “Tulsa King” Season 2 would relocate to Georgia. Production for the upcoming season will be based at Eagle Rock Studios, situated in Norcross, an Atlanta suburb. While the official commencement date for filming Season 2 remains unannounced, the relocation is confirmed, marking a significant change for the series.
This move occurs amidst ongoing conversations in Oklahoma regarding the state’s film incentive program. Some Oklahoma leaders have advocated for increasing the cap on the state’s film incentive to attract and retain more film and television projects. The departure of “Tulsa King” underscores the competitive landscape of film production, where financial incentives play a crucial role in location decisions.
The Oklahoma Film + Music Office and Prairie Surf Studios verified earlier reports to The Oklahoman that “Tulsa King” Season 2 was unlikely to film in Oklahoma. Cannon commented on the broader implications for Oklahoma’s film industry, “As we continue to grow this industry into something that competes with states like Georgia and California, we can’t be disappointed if productions need to go somewhere else to fulfill their financial needs. This was a win for Oklahoma. Full stop.” Her statement highlights a pragmatic view of the industry, acknowledging that financial considerations can sometimes outweigh location advantages.
Prairie Surf Studios also hosted production for the highly anticipated movie “Twisters,” demonstrating Oklahoma’s capacity to accommodate large-scale film projects even as “Tulsa King” shifts its filming location.
The Economic Impact of “Tulsa King” Season 1 in Oklahoma
The decision to move “Tulsa King” to Georgia brings into focus the substantial economic benefits that film and television productions can generate. Georgia’s film industry is booming, having accrued $4.4 billion in spending from film and TV productions in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This figure illustrates the significant financial impact a thriving film industry can have on a state’s economy.
Moreover, Atlanta’s proximity to Sylvester Stallone’s residence might have been a contributing factor in the location change. Stallone and his wife, Jennifer Flavin, relocated from Beverly Hills, California, to Palm Beach, Florida, in 2021, making Atlanta a more convenient filming location for the star.
“Tulsa King” marked Stallone’s first lead television role and his initial collaboration with Taylor Sheridan, the acclaimed creator of “Yellowstone.” The series premiered on Paramount+ in November 2022, approximately 18 months after Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt enacted a new $30 million tax incentive for TV and film productions.
Notably, “Tulsa King” stands as the largest scripted television series produced in Oklahoma utilizing the incentives provided under the Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021. The production brought an estimated expenditure exceeding $56 million to Oklahoma, underscoring its significant economic contribution to the state.
Filming for Season 1 spanned nearly six months in 2022, encompassing locations in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Bethany, and surrounding areas. This extensive filming period provided numerous opportunities for local businesses and residents to benefit from the production’s presence.
Alt text: Exterior shot of Tulsa King filming in downtown Oklahoma City, capturing the urban setting used in the series.
Oklahoma’s Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021 offers qualifying productions a cash rebate of up to 38% on eligible goods, labor, and services incurred within the state. Currently, Oklahoma allocates up to $30 million annually for movie and TV production incentives.
Efforts to enhance Oklahoma’s film incentives were made last year when the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed HB 1362. This bill aimed to increase the annual incentive cap from $30 million to $80 million; however, it did not progress in the Senate.
Following the critical acclaim of “Killers of the Flower Moon,” a major motion picture filmed in Oklahoma with a reported $200 million budget, Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell expressed hope that legislators would reconsider increasing the incentive’s annual cap. He noted that Oklahoma has had to decline numerous film and TV projects due to the existing funding limitations.
Jeanette Stanton, director of the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, revealed that in the most recent fiscal year, Oklahoma received 119 applications seeking a total of $158 million in film rebates—a staggering $128 million more than the state could offer.
Conversely, Georgia’s film incentive program is recognized as the most generous in the nation, according to Variety, and is among the six states without a cap on its film incentives. Georgia is projected to distribute $1.35 billion in credits this year alone, according to The Associated Press. However, Georgia legislative leaders have recently indicated a desire for production companies to increase their local contributions to qualify for the full 30% tax credit.
“Tulsa King” Cast and Season 1 Success
Beyond Sylvester Stallone, “Tulsa King” boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Dana Delaney, Garrett Hedlund, Andrea Savage, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Max Casella, Domenick Lombardozzi, Vincent Piazza, and A.C. Peterson.
The series’ debut season achieved immediate success. Just days after its premiere on November 13, 2022, Tanya Giles, Paramount Streaming’s chief programming officer, announced that Paramount+ had recorded its highest number of subscriber sign-ups in a single day since the platform’s relaunch the previous year. Giles attributed this surge to the popularity of “Tulsa King” and the consistent performance of “NFL on CBS.”
“Tulsa King’s” cable debut on November 20, 2022, following Taylor Sheridan’s immensely popular “Yellowstone,” solidified its position as the No. 1 new series premiere on cable in 2022. Attracting 3.7 million viewers, its cable premiere surpassed HBO’s “Game of Thrones” prequel “House of the Dragon” and FX’s “The Old Man,” starring Jeff Bridges.
This success led to a swift renewal for a second season. However, as Stanton from the state film office explained, numerous factors can influence a studio’s choice of filming location for subsequent seasons.
Changes for “Tulsa King” Season 2
The Season 1 finale of “Tulsa King,” which aired on January 8, 2023, concluded the nine-episode season with a dramatic cliffhanger. The freshman season garnered recognition with a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or Variety Program.
Production for “Tulsa King” Season 2 faced delays due to the writers’ strike from May to September 2023, which coincided with the actors’ strike from July to November. Stallone, an Oscar-nominated actor and writer, expressed his support for the writers during the strike, acknowledging the challenges they face in the industry, particularly concerning the impact of artificial intelligence and the episodic nature of television writing.
In addition to the location change and strike-related delays, “Tulsa King” Season 2 will see a change in showrunner. Terence Winter, the initial showrunner known for his work on “The Sopranos” and “The Wolf of Wall Street,” stepped down in February 2023 due to creative differences, while remaining as an executive producer. Sheridan alluded to these creative differences in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
While “Tulsa King” will no longer be filmed in Oklahoma, the first season left a lasting positive impact on the state’s economy and film industry. Season 2’s relocation to Atlanta signifies the complex interplay of financial incentives, logistical considerations, and creative decisions that shape the landscape of television production. Fans eagerly anticipate the next chapter of Dwight “The General” Manfredi’s story, now set against the backdrop of Atlanta, Georgia.
