You’re watching Tulsa King and see Dwight "The General" Manfredi trying to piece his life back together after 25 years in the clink. Naturally, the emotional heartbeat of the show is his relationship with his daughter, Tina. But here is where it gets kinda confusing for people scrolling through IMDB late at night. The actress playing his daughter on screen, Tatiana Zappardino, isn’t his biological kid.
However, the Tulsa King Stallone daughter connection is very real—it’s just not who you think it is.
Sylvester Stallone actually brought his youngest daughter, Scarlet Rose Stallone, onto the set. She doesn't play Tina. Instead, she plays Spencer, the coffee-shop-barista-turned-horse-whisperer who eventually looks after Dwight’s prized horse, Pilot.
It’s a classic Sly move. He’s always been about family, but this isn't just a "blink and you'll miss it" cameo.
Who is the Real Tulsa King Stallone Daughter?
Scarlet Rose Stallone made her debut in the first season, and honestly, her role grew into something much more significant than a background extra. Most fans first noticed her as the girl working the counter at the coffee shop Dwight frequents. You know the one—where Dwight is trying to navigate a world that changed while he was locked away.
Eventually, her character, Spencer, decides she’s done with the service industry. She's about to quit when Dwight offers her a job taking care of his horse.
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It’s a sweet sub-plot. It shows a softer side of the hardened mobster. While he’s out there cracking skulls and building a criminal empire in Oklahoma, he’s also looking out for this young woman who seems a bit lost. The irony? He’s acting like a father figure to Spencer while his relationship with his actual on-screen daughter, Tina, is a total train wreck.
Why Didn't She Play Tina?
A lot of people wonder why Scarlet didn't just play the role of Dwight’s daughter. It seems like a no-brainer, right?
The answer is basically logistics and age. Tina Manfredi is written as a woman in her late 30s who has lived through decades of resentment and trauma because of her father’s absence. Scarlet was born in 2002. She's just way too young to convincingly play a character who has been waiting 25 years for her dad to get out of prison.
Tatiana Zappardino, who plays Tina, has even mentioned in interviews that Stallone FaceTimed her before filming to welcome her to the "family." He knew he needed someone who could go toe-to-toe with him in those heavy, emotional scenes.
The Nepotism Debate and Season 3 Evolution
Look, the "nepo baby" conversation is everywhere. Some fans on Reddit have been pretty harsh about Scarlet’s performance, calling it "stiff" or "amateurish." But if you actually watch her arc through Season 2 and into Season 3, there's a definite shift.
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In Season 3, the character of Spencer gets a lot more to do. She isn't just brushing a horse anymore. She gets involved with some of the younger crew members, specifically a guy named Cole, and even dips her toes into some of the more "extracurricular" activities of Dwight's gang.
Scarlet has been pretty open about the pressure. In an interview with TV Insider, she admitted that working with her dad changed their relationship. When she was a kid, Sly was always away on movie sets. Now, they're on set together.
"Getting to actually work alongside him has made us really understand each other and have more of a profound respect for one another," Scarlet said.
It's actually kinda cool to see that real-life dynamic bleed into the show. Even if she's playing an employee, you can see a spark of genuine connection when they share a scene.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Stallone Girls
Sylvester has three daughters with Jennifer Flavin: Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet. They are all over the place right now because of their reality show, The Family Stallone.
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- Sophia (the eldest): She’s more behind the scenes, producing and running a massive digital book club.
- Sistine (the middle child): She’s the one most active in film, starring in things like 47 Meters Down: Uncaged.
- Scarlet (the youngest): She’s the Tulsa King standout.
People often mix them up or think they’re all trying to be the next Rambo. In reality, they're carving out very different paths. Scarlet is the one Sly describes as having a "unique" thing with the camera, even if she's still finding her feet as a dramatic actress.
Key Takeaways for Fans
If you're following the Tulsa King Stallone daughter storyline, keep these facts in your back pocket:
- The Character Name: Scarlet plays Spencer, not Tina.
- The Role: She started as a barista and moved up to "Horse Manager" (basically).
- Season 3 Growth: Her character is getting much more screen time and a romantic subplot that might get her in trouble with the mob.
- Real Life: She is the youngest of the three Stallone sisters and the only one currently appearing in Tulsa King.
How to Follow the Story
If you want to see the "real" family dynamic, you’ve got to watch The Family Stallone on Paramount+. It shows the behind-the-scenes of Scarlet getting the role and how Sly actually coaches her. It’s pretty endearing, honestly. He’s a tough critic, but he’s clearly her biggest fan.
As for Tulsa King, keep an eye on Spencer in the coming episodes. She’s no longer just a background character in a cowboy hat; she’s becoming a legitimate part of Dwight’s inner circle. Whether she stays "innocent" or gets pulled into the criminal underworld—just like her dad’s character—is the big question for the rest of the season.
To stay updated, check out the official Paramount+ cast guides or listen to the Unwaxed podcast hosted by Scarlet's sisters, where they occasionally drop tea about what's happening on the Oklahoma set.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify the Cast: Check the Season 3 credits to see Scarlet Rose Stallone's expanded role as Spencer.
- Watch the Reality Tie-in: Stream Season 1, Episode 2 of The Family Stallone to see Scarlet's first day on the Tulsa King set.
- Follow the Plot: Pay close attention to Spencer’s interactions with Tyson and Cole in the latest episodes, as this indicates her character's shift toward the "criminal" side of the narrative.