Tulsa King Season 4: The Real Story Behind the Showrunner Shake-Up

Well, this is a choice. Tulsa King season 4 is rolling cameras in Atlanta, and according to multiple reports, the show is doing it without a traditional showrunner. If that sounds unusual, it is. Here is how the series got here, who is actually running things on set, and why a bunch of crew members are not happy about it.

So who is steering season 4?

Variety reports that Scott Stone, head of production at 101 Studios, is essentially acting as the showrunner for season 4. 101 Studios produces Taylor Sheridan projects, and Sheridan created Tulsa King for Paramount+. Stone is said to be running the season alongside unit production managers Rebecca Rivo and Christian Agypt.

Here is the eyebrow-raiser: none of those three are writing or directing episodes. They are overseeing production, not creative. That gap speaks to a larger leadership shuffle the show has dealt with over its first three seasons, which sources say may have contributed to a major crew shake-up ahead of season 4.

"[Stone] said, 'We are not going to have a showrunner. 101 is the showrunner.' And I raised an eyebrow at that."

"That was the writing on the wall for me. I knew at that point I better start looking out for myself."

Those are from stunt coordinator Freddie Poole, who told Variety he heard the plan directly from Stone. Poole is no longer on the show.

How we got here (the short version)

• Season 1: Terence Winter ran the show, then stepped down before season 2. He stayed on as a writer and executive producer.
• Season 2: There was no formal showrunner. According to Variety, director/executive producer Craig Zisk informally shouldered showrunner duties.
• Season 3: Taylor Sheridan and the studio brought in Dave Erickson. Variety says Erickson and star Sylvester Stallone clashed over creative decisions, and Stallone wanted Winter back. Erickson also exited as showrunner of the Samuel L. Jackson series NOLA King, though he remains involved with Sheridan’s Mayor of Kingstown.
• Season 4: Production is underway in Atlanta. Variety says there is still no official showrunner; Stone is managing the set with UPMs Rebecca Rivo and Christian Agypt, while Deadline reports Winter is back as head writer and executive producer.

The crew shake-up

According to Variety, 26 crew members were let go ahead of season 4 across sound, stunts, transportation, and hair. Poole says he was one of them and claims the way it happened blindsided people who expected to return after season 3. While it is not unheard of for shows to refresh crews between seasons, sources suggest the revolving door of leadership may have played a role in how this went down.

"The manner in which this was done was just unprofessional and unnecessary. Some of these people were told to leave their equipment at the stages [after Season 3], and then told a week before shooting that they do not have a job. I think it was really disheartening."

Those positions have already been filled, and cameras are rolling. 101 Studios has not responded to the allegations.

Where things stand now

Season 4 is in production in Atlanta with 101 Studios effectively steering day-to-day operations rather than a traditional showrunner, while Terence Winter is reportedly back overseeing the scripts as head writer and executive producer. It is a very behind-the-scenes kind of story, and a messy one, but the machine is moving again.

The first three seasons of Tulsa King are currently streaming on Paramount+.