If you thought Sylvester Stallone was going to have an easy time playing cowboy in Oklahoma, you haven’t been paying attention. Season 2 of the Taylor Sheridan hit didn't just bring back the familiar faces of the Manfredi crew; it injected a heavy dose of adrenaline with some of the best character actors in the business.
Dwight “The General” Manfredi is still the center of this universe. Honestly, seeing Stallone trade his Rambo gear for sharp suits in the middle of a Tulsa weed shop is the kind of TV magic we didn't know we needed. But a king is only as good as his court—and his enemies.
The Heavy Hitters Joining the Tulsa King Cast Season 2
This season felt different. The stakes moved beyond just surviving the Invernizzi family back in New York. To make that happen, the show runners brought in two massive names to serve as Dwight's primary headaches.
Neal McDonough stepped in as Cal Thresher. If he looks familiar, it’s probably because McDonough has perfected the art of the "corporate shark with a dark side." In this world, he’s a powerful, territorial businessman who doesn't take kindly to a New York mobster setting up shop on his turf. He’s cold, calculated, and frankly, a perfect foil for Dwight’s more "hands-on" approach.
Then you have Frank Grillo playing Bill Bevilaqua. Grillo is basically the king of gritty action roles, and here he plays a Kansas City mob boss. He’s not a suit-and-tie businessman like Thresher; he’s a street-level threat who views Tulsa as his backyard. Watching the tension simmer between Grillo and Stallone is a highlight for anyone who loves old-school tough-guy cinema.
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The Breakdown of New and Promoted Faces
It wasn't just about the outsiders. Some familiar faces from the first season got a major upgrade.
- Annabella Sciorra (Joanne Manfredi): Dwight’s sister moved from a recurring guest to a series regular. Her presence adds a much-needed layer of family history and vulnerability to Dwight’s otherwise hardened exterior.
- Tatiana Zappardino (Tina Manfredi-Grieger): Tina’s role expanded significantly this season as she navigates her complicated relationship with her father while trying to build a life in Oklahoma.
- Rich Ting (Jackie Ming): A quiet but absolutely lethal addition. While Thresher and Bevilaqua are the loud threats, Jackie Ming operates with a ruthlessness that caught a lot of fans off guard.
The Core Crew: Who Came Back for More?
You can’t have a crime syndicate without the oddballs that make the Manfredi crew so entertaining. Most of the original gang returned to keep the weed and money flowing.
Martin Starr remains a fan favorite as Bodhi. His "I'm just a weed guy" energy clashing with Dwight's "I'm a career criminal" vibe is still the comedic heartbeat of the show. Then there's Jay Will as Tyson, who has arguably the most interesting character arc this season as he balances his loyalty to Dwight with the mounting pressure from his own family.
Garrett Hedlund (Mitch Keller) and Dana Delany (Margaret Devereaux) also returned, providing the local Tulsa flavor that keeps the show grounded. Mitch, the ex-bull rider turned bar owner, continues to be Dwight’s most reliable local ally, while Margaret offers a romantic tension that keeps things interesting at the Fennario Ranch.
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Why the Season 2 Cast Works So Well
The brilliance of the Tulsa King cast season 2 lies in the contrast. You have the "Old World" mob sensibilities of Dwight and the New York holdovers like Domenick Lombardozzi (Chickie Invernizzi) and Vincent Piazza (Vince). Chickie is still out there, stewing in his own resentment and proving that sometimes the biggest threat is the one you grew up with.
Then you have the "New Frontier" represented by the Tulsa locals and the Kansas City interlopers. It’s a collision of cultures.
A Quick Glance at the Main Players
| Actor | Character | Role/Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Sylvester Stallone | Dwight Manfredi | The Boss |
| Neal McDonough | Cal Thresher | The Wealthy Rival |
| Frank Grillo | Bill Bevilaqua | The KC Mob Threat |
| Martin Starr | Bodhi | The Tech/Weed Specialist |
| Jay Will | Tyson | The Protégé |
| Max Casella | Armand Truisi | The Nervous Insider |
What Most People Miss About the Ensemble
A lot of people focus on Stallone—and rightfully so—but the supporting cast does the heavy lifting in world-building. Max Casella as Armand Truisi is a masterclass in playing a guy who is perpetually one mistake away from a heart attack. His frantic energy makes the danger feel real.
Also, don't sleep on the guest appearances. We even got a cameo from country star Jelly Roll, which fits the Oklahoma vibe perfectly. It’s those little touches that make the show feel like it’s actually happening in the modern Midwest, rather than just a soundstage in Atlanta (even though they did move filming to Mississippi for the second season).
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Looking Ahead: The Impact of Season 2
The expansion of the cast wasn't just for show. It set the stage for a much larger conflict. By the time the credits roll on the season 2 finale, the power dynamics in Tulsa have shifted completely. Dwight isn't just a fish out of water anymore; he's the shark in the pond, but the pond just got a lot bigger.
If you’re looking to catch up or re-watch, keep an eye on how the new characters' motivations intersect. Thresher isn't just a villain; he's a man protecting his empire. Bevilaqua isn't just a thug; he’s a businessman with his own pressures. This nuance is why the show has stayed a hit.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch for the subtle shifts: Pay attention to Tyson’s wardrobe and car upgrades—it mirrors his descent (or ascent) into Dwight’s world.
- Track the New York thread: Even though most of the action is in Tulsa, the moves made by Chickie and Vince in the background dictate the pacing of the season.
- Check the filming locations: While Season 1 was famously shot in Oklahoma, Season 2 moved production to Atlanta and Mississippi, though they did a killer job making it look like the Sooner State.
The cast of season 2 managed to do something rare: they made a sequel season feel more expansive and dangerous than the original without losing the character-driven charm that made us watch in the first place.