The hit Paramount+ crime drama Tulsa King is currently in production for its fourth season, and a major update confirms that the conflict is far from over. While the Season 3 finale appeared to wrap up the explosive feud with liquor tycoon Jeremiah Dunmire, new information reveals that the show is bringing back a significant adversary to face off against Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight “The General” Manfredi.
Filming for the new season began in November 2025 at Eagle Rock Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, with the series expecting to debut sometime in late 2026. As production moves forward, casting news has clarified who will be stirring up trouble in Tulsa next, and fans of the show will recognize this face as a persistent threat.
Neal McDonough Confirms Return as Governor Cal Thresher
One of the most pivotal confirmations for Tulsa King Season 4 is the return of Neal McDonough. The actor, who portrays the slick and dangerous businessman-turned-politician Cal Thresher, has officially stated he is back for the new episodes. McDonough shared the news in an interview with Collider, revealing his excitement about the character’s new position of power.
“I’m so happy to be on Seasons 2, 3, and now we’re about to start Season 4 of Tulsa King. And now that I’m the governor of Tulsa — of Oklahoma — I’m having a ball. I’m having a great time.”
This update is significant because it confirms that the rivalry between Dwight and Thresher is not over. In Season 3, viewers watched as Cal Thresher lost his cannabis and casino empire to Dwight but pivoted hard into politics. By the end of the season, with Dwight’s backing, Thresher secured the governorship of Oklahoma. Now, as the leader of the state, Thresher holds a level of authority that could make him a more dangerous enemy than ever before.
What This Means for Dwight Manfredi’s Empire
With Neal McDonough returning as Governor Thresher, the power dynamics in Tulsa are shifting. While Dwight ended Season 3 by eliminating the immediate threat of Jeremiah Dunmire and securing a federal liquor license, he also created a significant problem in Thresher. What started as a transactional relationship—Dwight helping Thresher get elected in exchange for political favors—now looks like it could backfire.
Thresher is now the governor, meaning he has legal authority over the state where Dwight operates. While Dwight hoped to have a powerful politician in his pocket, there is a strong possibility that Thresher will try to break free from Dwight’s control. Given Thresher’s ruthless nature when he was a private business owner, he is likely to use his new political power to target Dwight’s operations, including the newly acquired Montague distillery and the high-stakes liquor business.
Behind-the-Scenes Changes and New Cast Members
While the return of Neal McDonough is exciting for the story, the production of Tulsa King Season 4 has faced some behind-the-scenes challenges. Reports indicate that the show started filming without a formal showrunner in place, with Scott Stone of 101 Studios acting as the de facto showrunner. Additionally, more than two dozen crew members were let go just days before filming began, a move described by stunt coordinator Freddie Poole as “unprofessional and disheartening.”
Despite these production hurdles, the cast is expanding. Gretchen Mol (Boardwalk Empire) has joined the series as a regular, playing a Tulsa politician named Amanda Clark. This casting reunites her with writer Terence Winter, who has returned as head writer and executive producer for Season 4 after previously working with Mol on Boardwalk Empire.
Furthermore, The Rookie star Flula Borg is joining the cast in a recurring role as Bradley Van Heusen, described as a tech billionaire whose business will cross paths with Dwight. This suggests that Dwight’s empire might be expanding into new, modern industries, bringing him into conflict with a different type of wealthy adversary.
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The Larger Threat Still Looms
Although the confirmation of Neal McDonough’s return as Governor Thresher is the key update, the show is also setting up a larger universe. The Season 3 finale introduced Samuel L. Jackson as Russell Lee Washington Jr., an old prison friend of Dwight’s. While Washington helped Dwight in Tulsa, he is set to star in his own spin-off series titled NOLA King, which is expected to begin production in early 2026. This spin-off will follow Washington as he attempts to take over New Orleans, potentially setting up future crossover events.
Additionally, the threat from the New York mob, specifically Quiet Ray (James Russo), remains. Washington disobeyed orders from Ray to kill Dwight, putting a target on both their backs. As Dwight continues to build his legitimate and illegitimate businesses in Tulsa, he still has enemies watching him from the East Coast.
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