'Tulsa King' Season 4 Faces Crew Firings and Leadership Uncertainty Behind the Scenes
A-list star power and studio backing have positioned “Tulsa King” as one of Paramount’s major series, yet the drama behind the scenes has intensified ahead of Season 4. The production entered its Atlanta shoot as questions around leadership and staff turnover drew industry attention.
The production of Tulsa King Season 4 faces crew turnover, stalled leadership, and concerns over the absence of a formal showrunner as filming begins in Atlanta.
Brian Douglas/Paramount+
Reports from multiple sources point to uncertainty created by the lack of a formal showrunner. With the new season underway, production executive Scott Stone of 101 Studios has stepped into a de facto leadership role, working closely with unit production managers Rebecca Rivo and Christian Agypt. None of the three serve as writers or directors for the series.
Concerns mounted after Emmy-nominated stunt coordinator Freddie Poole recounted a conversation with Stone between Seasons 3 and 4. Poole says Stone indicated that 101 Studios would function as the showrunner for the upcoming season, prompting Poole to reassess his position on the series.
The shift preceded the dismissal of 26 crew members across departments including sound, transportation, hair, and stunts. All were replaced just days before filming began. People familiar with the situation indicate that none of the affected crew had secured deals for Season 4, and crew changes between seasons are not unusual. Several individuals, however, said the manner in which they learned of the decision caused disappointment, with some discovering the change only through job postings for their own roles.
Poole described the process as avoidable and noted that some workers had been told to leave equipment at the studio stages following Season 3, only to be informed shortly before filming that their services were no longer needed. Representatives for 101 Studios did not comment on the matter.
Showrunner transitions have shaped the series since its debut. Terence Winter led Season 1 before stepping back from the role during Season 2, although he continued as a writer and executive producer. Season 2 operated without an official showrunner, though executive producer and director Craig Zisk took on significant responsibilities.
Season 3 saw Dave Erickson in the showrunner position following his collaboration with Taylor Sheridan on “Mayor of Kingstown.” Sources cite creative differences between Erickson and Sylvester Stallone, contributing to tension and to Stallone advocating for Winter’s return. Erickson remains showrunner on “Mayor of Kingstown” but no longer holds that position on “Tulsa King.”
Winter later returned for Season 4 as head writer and executive producer. Sources report that he oversees the writers’ room in Los Angeles but will not lead production activities in Atlanta, an arrangement set before his return.
The absence of an on-set creative lead has raised concerns among crew members, many of whom say they have not previously worked on a series where a studio executive held this level of day-to-day authority. The situation also reflects broader industry challenges as fewer shows and limited writers’ opportunities affect the pipeline for future showrunners. The circumstances on “Tulsa King” illustrate the complications that can emerge when a series operates without a centralized creative figure guiding production.
