By all appearances, “Tulsa King” has everything going for it — an A-list series lead (Sylvester Stallone), one of the most in-demand creators in the business (Taylor Sheridan) and the full backing of Paramount.
But behind the scenes, the show’s handling of the recent firing of more than two dozen crew members is seen as the result of a lack of clear leadership — no formal showrunner is yet in place — that has emerged going into production of the fourth season in Atlanta.
According to multiple sources, Scott Stone, executive in charge of production from 101 Studios — which produces “Tulsa King” — has become the de facto showrunner. He is said to be working closely with unit production managers Rebecca Rivo and Christian Agypt in running the series. None of the three is involved in the writing or directing of the show.
Freddie Poole, the Emmy-nominated “Tulsa King” stunt coordinator, tells Variety that a conversation he had with Stone between Seasons 3 and 4 about who would be in charge of the new season gave him pause.
“[Stone] said, ‘We’re not going to have a showrunner. 101 is the showrunner.’ And I raised an eyebrow at that,” Poole says. “That was the writing on the wall for me. I knew at that point I better start looking out for myself.”
Poole was one of 26 “Tulsa King” crew members who were let go and ultimately replaced just days before cameras started rolling on Season 4. They worked across multiple departments, including sound, stunts, transportation and hair. Variety understands that none of the people who were let go had deals in place for the fourth season, and it is not uncommon for a show to turn over parts of its crew between seasons.
But those who spoke with Variety say that the way they found out about the loss of work hurt the most. Some only learned the news when someone sent them a job listing for their on-set role.
“The manner in which this was done was just unprofessional and unnecessary,” Poole says. “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 don’t have a job. I think it was really disheartening.”
Reps for 101 Studios did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Terence Winter was the showrunner on Season 1 of “Tulsa King,” but exited that role ahead of Season 2, though he did contribute to the season as a writer and an executive producer. There was no formal showrunner on Season 2 either, but sources say that executive producer and director Craig Zisk largely filled the role.
For Season 3, Dave Erickson became showrunner after working with Sheridan on “Mayor of Kingstown.” However, Stallone and Erickson did not see eye to eye creatively, sources say, leading to tension on set and to Stallone insisting that Winter be brought back. Erickson is no longer the showrunner on “Tulsa King” but remains in the role on “Mayor of Kingstown.
Winter did return for Season 4, but he is now credited as head writer and executive producer. According to multiple sources, Winter is leading the writers’ room in Los Angeles but is not leading production in Atlanta, nor will he be spending any meaningful time onset, per a deal he worked out ahead of his return to the series.
While it is not unusual for a production company to have a significant role in the day-to-day business of a TV series, the absence of a creative lead has been a source of confusion for the Atlanta-based crew. Many say they have not been involved in a production where a studio executive has been given this much power on set.
Stone’s apparent elevation also comes at a time when many writers in the industry are struggling to find work. More to the point, with fewer writer positions available and fewer shows in production — a vital training ground for showrunners to be — there have been concerns about where the next generation will come from. And as perhaps proven by the behind-the-scenes drama on “Tulsa King,” the lack of a strong showrunner can leave a series rudderless.
This story first appeared in the Nov. 19 print edition of Variety.
