Taylor Sheridan’s 3-Part Crime Drama Quietly Achieves A Surprising Genre Feat

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While Taylor Sheridan is well-known for bringing the Western genre into modern times with Yellowstone, his most skillful blend of different styles is actually found in Tulsa King.

As a fan, I’m really hooked on Tulsa King! It’s Taylor Sheridan’s latest, starring Sylvester Stallone, and it’s not just another crime story. While Yellowstone brought a modern twist to Westerns, Tulsa King really pushes Sheridan’s style in a new direction – it feels different, but still has that same core feel you expect from his shows. It’s a fantastic evolution of his work, honestly.

While it could have been a typical crime drama, Tulsa King stands out because it’s surprisingly funny. Unlike Taylor Sheridan’s other serious shows like Yellowstone, Landman, and Lioness, this series incorporates humor. It manages to be both dramatic and genuinely funny – a rare combination for Sheridan, who usually focuses on intense, weighty storytelling.

Tulsa King Is Taylor Sheridan’s Only Show That Partially Serves As A Comedy

A Surprising Creative Partnership Gives Tulsa King A Different Tone

Steve Swisher / Paramount+

Despite being a genuinely funny show, Tulsa King stands out as the only comedy in Taylor Sheridan’s otherwise dramatic television lineup. While shows like Yellowstone and Mayor of Kingstown have occasional humorous moments, and Landman offers some lightheartedness, none of them are as consistently funny as Tulsa King. This difference in tone, though, isn’t entirely surprising.

Although Taylor Sheridan developed Tulsa King, Terence Winter played a major creative role. He was the showrunner for seasons 1 and 4 and contributed significantly as a writer throughout the series. Winter’s comedic approach is what really sets Tulsa King apart from Taylor Sheridan’s other work.

Terence Winter, known for his work on shows like The Wolf of Wall Street, Boardwalk Empire, and The Sopranos, is a master of writing dialogue that’s both funny and serious. He brings this same skill to Tulsa King, adding a unique, slightly quirky energy to important scenes that’s different from the style of Taylor Sheridan’s other projects.

Terence Winter’s distinctive writing style is key to making Tulsa King both intense and genuinely funny. The show’s humor, whether it’s through Dwight’s witty banter or his struggles with the modern world, feels like a well-crafted comedy cleverly woven into a crime story. This balance allows the show to be dramatic without becoming overly dark, and it’s largely thanks to Winter’s skill as a writer.

Though Tulsa King explores familiar Taylor Sheridan themes like being uprooted, maintaining integrity, and fighting to survive, it feels distinct. It’s a refreshing change within his body of work because it’s less predictable and more aware of itself. The show successfully blends serious conflict with moments of humor, demonstrating that even established creators can experiment with and develop their tone, thanks to the influence of director Terence Winter.

Why Humor Works For Tulsa King

A Natural And Effective Blend Of Comedy And Drama Anchored By Sylvester Stallone

While the humor in Tulsa King is a bit different for Taylor Sheridan, it’s effective. The show isn’t just trying to be funny for the sake of it; the comedy comes from the characters and their situations, not from simple jokes.

The core idea behind Tulsa King – a gangster trying to adjust to modern life – gives the show a strong storyline. Dwight, used to an older way of doing things, constantly finds himself confused by everyday life in the 21st century. These clashes – whether he’s dealing with shop owners or just trying to understand social rules – are what make the show so funny and memorable.

Sylvester Stallone’s portrayal of Dwight is key to the show’s success. He perfectly balances a tough, world-worn exterior with a surprising likability, making Dwight sympathetic even when he’s struggling. Rather than playing Dwight as an outdated character in Tulsa King, Stallone brings a genuine and believable sense of humor to the role. His delivery of sarcastic lines and frustrated responses feels natural and earned, stemming directly from what Dwight is going through.

The humor in Tulsa King doesn’t feel out of place within Taylor Sheridan’s other shows because it actually deepens our understanding of the characters and the story’s themes. It doesn’t lessen the tension; it adds to it. Like the dramatic moments in Yellowstone or the intense action in Lioness, the comedy in Tulsa King is used to explore the characters and move the story forward.

Unlike Taylor Sheridan’s other shows, which are often very serious and intense, Tulsa King blends comedy into its storytelling in a natural way. This keeps the show feeling consistent with Sheridan’s style, but also provides a welcome break from constant tension. In his other series, any humor feels like a small addition, whereas in Tulsa King, it’s a core part of the story.

The show’s success comes from a clever mix of humor and drama. Seeing a hardened criminal try to establish himself in a new place is naturally funny, but it doesn’t overshadow the serious crime story. This authentic balance is what makes Tulsa King so appealing to viewers.

How Tulsa King Turned Into A Major Success For Taylor Sheridan

Yellowstone Isn’t Sheridan’s Only Franchise

Brian Douglas/Paramount+

Although Tulsa King hasn’t reached the same level of popularity as Yellowstone, it’s proven to be a significant hit for Taylor Sheridan. The show has consistently ranked among the most-watched programs on Paramount+, staying on their top charts for months and earning positive reviews for its distinctive style and the actor’s compelling performance.

Paramount+ quickly recognized the potential of Tulsa King and promoted it heavily. The first season was one of the most successful launches for the streaming service, bringing in a record number of new subscribers when it also aired on the Paramount network (according to The Hollywood Reporter). This popularity has continued and now led to plans for expanding the show.

Paramount+ has approved a new series called Frisco King (formerly Nola King), focusing on Russell Lee Washington Jr., a popular character from Tulsa King played by Samuel L. Jackson. The show will move the setting to Frisco, Texas, and Taylor Sheridan will write all eight episodes of the first season.

The fact that a spinoff is being developed shows that Tulsa King wasn’t just a single, isolated show – it has the potential to become a larger franchise. It’s the first series created by Taylor Sheridan outside of the Yellowstone universe to get its own spinoff, which is significant given how many shows he’s already created.

With so many crime shows on television, Tulsa King is different because of its star power and because it shows Taylor Sheridan can tell stories in new ways. While it still explores tough subjects, it’s willing to be funny, and that makes it one of his most original shows so far.

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2026-03-16 21:32