Season 2 of Tulsa King brings more excitement to rural Oklahoma as Dwight ‘The General’ Manfredi, portrayed by Sylvester Stallone, continues to build his criminal empire.
After being betrayed by his old mafia family in the first season, Dwight finds himself more confident than ever in running his operations alone. His 25-year prison sentence might have kept him away from the criminal world, but he remains sharp and ready to take on new challenges.
As Dwight begins to make progress, he faces new threats from the Kansas City mob. This powerful crime group is keen to take over Dwight’s rising empire, and a determined businessman is ready to seize control.
With his diverse and unconventional team by his side, Dwight must fight to protect his new Tulsa family and his old blood relatives. To complicate matters further, Dwight has unresolved issues waiting for him back in New York, adding another layer of tension to his already complex life.
Season 2 promises to be packed with drama, action, and twists. The new episodes will keep viewers on the edge of their seats as Dwight navigates these challenges and tries to secure his place in the criminal underworld.
In Tulsa King Season 2, Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight ‘The General’ Manfredi faces new challenges as his criminal empire attracts rival threats and unresolved issues from New York. With a diverse cast including Martin Starr and Garrett Hedlund, the season promises intense drama and action as Dwight fights to protect his empire.
Sylvester Stallone as Dwight ‘The General’ Manfredi
Sylvester Stallone returns as Dwight ‘The General’ Manfredi, a mob boss who has just been released from a lengthy prison sentence. After spending 25 years behind bars, Dwight is sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to start a new chapter. This move comes after feeling betrayed by his old mafia family, who seem to have turned their backs on him.
Dwight’s adjustment to life in Tulsa is not easy. He struggles with his new environment and deals with personal issues, including a broken marriage and a strained relationship with his daughter.
Despite these challenges, Dwight proves that his criminal skills are still intact. His new business ventures attract attention from rivals, and his operations quickly become a focal point for others looking to make a move in the area.
Stallone, known for his iconic roles in the Rocky franchise and as John Rambo in the First Blood series, brings his signature intensity to the role of Dwight. His performance in Tulsa King continues to showcase his remarkable ability to portray complex and dynamic characters.
Martin Starr as Bodhi
Martin Starr plays Bodhi, the owner of the High Plan Marijuana Dispensary in Tulsa. Bodhi is a seasoned businessman who finds his operation significantly impacted by Dwight’s involvement in the local marijuana trade. Initially, Bodhi sees Dwight as an outsider, but he soon realizes that Dwight’s presence brings new opportunities.
Bodhi becomes a mentor to Dwight, teaching him the ins and outs of the marijuana industry. Through Bodhi, Dwight learns how to maximize profits from the legalized marijuana business.
Cast from Tulsa King (Credit: Paramount+)
Martin Starr, known for his roles in Party Down, Spider-Man, and Superbad, brings his comedic talent and charm to the role of Bodhi, making him a memorable character in the series.
Jay Will as Tyson
Jay Will stars as Tyson, a cab driver with a quick wit and a touch of humor. On the surface, Tyson tries to match Dwight’s tough-guy persona, but underneath, he is a simple man who dreams of leaving his hometown. When Tyson becomes friends with Dwight, he is drawn into the high-stakes world of the mafia.
Tyson’s journey from an ordinary cab driver to a key player in Dwight’s criminal empire adds an intriguing layer to the story. Jay Will, who has also appeared in Evil and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, brings depth and relatability to Tyson’s character.
Max Casella as Armand Truisi
Max Casella portrays Armand Truisi, one of Dwight’s partners in Tulsa. Armand, a former soldier for the Invernizzi crime family, has a complicated history with Dwight. Initially, Armand is skeptical of Dwight’s ambitions, believing that any new arrival in the area is trouble.
Despite his reservations, Armand eventually joins Dwight’s growing team. Armand’s character adds a layer of complexity to Dwight’s operation, as he brings his own experiences and insights into the world of crime. Max Casella, known for his roles in Doogie Howser, M.D., and The Sopranos, adds a significant depth to the character of Armand.
Domenick Lombardozzi as Don Charles “Chickie” Invernizzi
Domenick Lombardozzi plays Don Charles “Chickie” Invernizzi, the feared underboss of the Invernizzi crime family. Chickie arrives in Tulsa when he hears about Dwight’s criminal activities. He quickly establishes himself as a formidable opponent, ready to challenge Dwight’s growing influence.
Cast from Tulsa King (Credit: Paramount+)
Chickie’s arrival intensifies the conflict, as he makes it clear that he is not to be trifled with. Lombardozzi, known for his roles in The Wire, Reacher, Power, and Boardwalk Empire, brings a commanding presence to the role, making Chickie a memorable antagonist.
Vincent Piazza as Vince Antonacci
Vincent Piazza stars as Vince Antonacci, a top capo in the Invernizzi crime family. Alongside Chickie, Vince comes to Tulsa to deal with Dwight and secure their interests in the area. Vince’s history with Dwight adds a personal edge to their conflict, as they have clashed before.
Piazza, known for his role as Lucky Luciano in Boardwalk Empire, brings a sense of toughness and intensity to Vince’s character. His performance adds depth to the ongoing struggle between Dwight and the Invernizzi crime family.
Andrea Savage as Stacy Beale
Andrea Savage plays Stacy Beale, an ATF agent from New York. Stacy’s jurisdiction includes the Anti-Terror Squad and O.C. Task Force, and she takes on the responsibility of addressing the threats posed by local militia groups targeting Dwight.
Stacy’s role becomes crucial as she relocates to the Oklahoma bureau to tackle these emerging dangers. Andrea Savage, known for her comedic roles in Step Brothers, You People, and Veep, brings a unique mix of humor and seriousness to her portrayal of Stacy Beale.
Garrett Hedlund as Mitch Keller
Garrett Hedlund stars as Mitch Keller, a former bull rider who turned to bar ownership after struggling with addiction. Mitch’s plans for a peaceful life are disrupted when Dwight arrives in Tulsa. Dwight quickly involves Mitch in his criminal activities, using his bar as a front for selling nitrous oxide.
Cast from Tulsa King (Credit: Paramount+)
Hedlund’s portrayal of Mitch reflects the character’s internal conflicts and struggles. Known for his roles in Troy, Triple Frontier, and The Marsh King’s Daughter, Hedlund adds depth to Mitch’s character and his interactions with Dwight.
Dana Delany as Margaret
Dana Delany plays Margaret, a wealthy equestrian who owns the impressive Fennario horse ranch. Margaret’s character is a symbol of stability and success, contrasting sharply with the chaos surrounding Dwight. Her involvement in the story adds an element of sophistication and elegance.
Delany, known for her roles in China Beach and Desperate Housewives, brings her acclaimed acting skills to the role of Margaret. Her character’s presence provides a grounding influence amidst the high-stakes drama of the series.
Tatiana Zappardino as Tina Manfredi
Tatiana Zappardino stars as Tina Manfredi, Dwight’s estranged daughter. The rift between Tina and her father began when Dwight went to prison, leading to a long period of estrangement. Tina’s story adds an emotional layer to Dwight’s character, highlighting the personal cost of his criminal lifestyle.
Zappardino, known for her role in Superstition and The Consultant, brings a compelling emotional depth to Tina’s character. Her interactions with Dwight offer a poignant look at the impact of his choices on his family.
Annabella Sciorra as Joanne Manfredi
Annabella Sciorra plays Joanne Manfredi, Dwight’s younger sister who lives in Brooklyn. Joanne’s role in the series provides insight into Dwight’s family background and adds another dimension to his character. Her presence connects the story to Dwight’s past and personal life.
Sciorra, a Brooklyn native herself, is known for her roles in The Hand That Rocks the Cradle and Jungle Fever. She also works as a producer, bringing a wealth of experience to her role in Tulsa King.
Neal McDonough as Cal Thresher
Neal McDonough joins the cast as Cal Thresher, a new character introduced in Season 2. Cal is a powerful businessman who holds significant influence in Tulsa. He is determined to protect his interests and make sure that anyone looking to stake a claim in the town must go through him.
Cast from Tulsa King (Credit: Paramount+)
McDonough, known for his roles in Band of Brothers, American Horror Story, and Yellowstone, brings his strong screen presence to the role of Cal. His character adds a new layer of intrigue and power dynamics to the series.
Rich Ting as Jackie Ming
Rich Ting stars as Jackie Ming, another new character in Season 2. Jackie is a calm and quiet figure with grand plans for the marijuana industry in Tulsa. Despite his unassuming demeanor, he has big ambitions and is not to be underestimated.
Ting, known for his work on NCIS: Los Angeles and the Korean drama Iris, brings his martial arts skills and acting talent to the role of Jackie Ming. His character’s involvement in the marijuana business adds a new role.
Author J. R. R. Tolkien revitalized the fantasy genre with his epic work, The Lord of the Rings. This series, a follow-up to his earlier story, The Hobbit, takes readers to the magical land of Middle-earth.
Here, various beings like humans, elves, dwarves, and hobbits fight against dark forces. Among the many ancient creatures in this world, the Balrogs stand out as some of the most memorable and fearsome.
The first appearance of Balrogs is in The Fellowship of the Ring. They are described as ancient demons, taking the shape of living shadows and flames. They wield whips and swords made of fire. Tolkien goes deeper into their background in his mythological work, The Silmarillion.
According to this book, the Balrogs were originally part of a celestial order called the Maiar. These beings were created by Eru Ilúvatar, the supreme deity in Tolkien’s universe, to serve the Valar. The Valar are powerful entities responsible for governing the world of Arda.
However, when Melkor, the most powerful of the Valar, rebelled, some of the Maiar joined him and were corrupted into Balrogs.
Along with Sauron, another fallen Maia, the Balrogs became Morgoth’s chief lieutenants in his quest to dominate and destroy Arda. Ultimately, the Valar defeated Morgoth in the War of Wrath, banishing him from the world. The surviving Balrogs went into hiding, waiting for Morgoth’s return.
Tolkien’s views on the number of Balrogs varied over time, but he eventually settled on a range of three to seven. Outside of this range, four Balrogs are described in detail in his writings, and three of them have specific names and titles.
Despite their relatively small role in the series, Balrogs remain iconic figures in fantasy literature due to their terrifying appearance, their status as fallen angels, and the great effort required to defeat them.
Glorfindel’s Balrog in The Silmarillion
One of Morgoth’s most significant challenges was the hidden city of Gondolin. The Ñoldor elves, led by King Turgon, resisted Morgoth’s conquest from this city. Morgoth learned the city’s location after capturing the elf Maeglin. He then attacked Gondolin with all his forces, including Balrogs flying on dragons.
A Balrog led orcs against the survivors who were trying to flee. However, this Balrog was stopped by the elven hero Glorfindel, who was killed in the battle.
Still from The Rings of Power (Credit: Prime Video)
This particular Balrog, which is not named, is considered the least impressive among the Balrogs, but its role in the fall of Gondolin adds to the city’s tragic end. The battle between Glorfindel and the Balrog is similar to Gandalf’s battle in The Fellowship of the Ring.
The films by Peter Jackson portray Glorfindel’s role as being played by Arwen, who helps Frodo reach Rivendell. This parallel reflects how powerful and memorable these battles are in Tolkien’s work.
Lungorthin in The Silmarillion
Of the three Balrogs with names, Lungorthin is the least developed. Known as “Lord of Balrogs,” he was a subordinate to Gothmog, the chief of the Balrogs. Lungorthin was notorious for his sadistic nature and used his flaming whip to inflict pain and suffering.
He assisted Gothmog in killing King Fingon during the Battle of Unnumbered Tears and tortured Húrin, a human hero who had defied Morgoth many times.
Lungorthin’s character is described as cruel and malicious. He took pleasure in causing pain and spreading Morgoth’s dark will. However, little is known about his fate after the War of Wrath. He may have been killed in the conflict, or he might have escaped underground.
There is also a possibility that Lungorthin could be the Balrog that fought Glorfindel or the one that drove the dwarves from Khazad-dûm, though these theories are less likely. What remains clear is Lungorthin’s reputation as a malevolent force in Tolkien’s legendarium.
Gothmog in The Silmarillion
Gothmog, the high-captain of Angband, was the true Lord of the Balrogs and Morgoth’s chief servant. He wielded a powerful black battleaxe and led Morgoth’s armies against the Ñoldor elves and their allies.
Gothmog was responsible for the deaths of two High Kings of the Ñoldor: Fingon and Fëanor. He met his end during the Fall of Gondolin when the elf Ecthelion of the Fountain sacrificed himself to extinguish Gothmog’s flames in the Fountain of the King.
Gothmog’s legacy continues through an orc bearing his name, who served under the Witch King of Angmar in the attack on Minas Tirith.
Gothmog was second only to Sauron in Morgoth’s service and, in many ways, surpassed Sauron with his battlefield victories. He was a formidable warrior, leaving a path of destruction and flames. His influence extends beyond his death, highlighting his significant role in Tolkien’s world.
Durin’s Bane in The Silmarillion, The Fellowship of the Ring, and The Two Towers
After the War of Wrath, one Balrog hid deep within the Misty Mountains. The dwarves built the kingdom of Khazad-dûm above it, and during the Third Age, they accidentally awoke it by mining too greedily in search of mithril.
This Balrog, known as Durin’s Bane, killed their king, Durin IV, and drove the dwarves from their home. Many years later, Durin’s Bane attacked the Fellowship as they travelled through Khazad-dûm, leading to a legendary battle with Gandalf the Grey.
Durin’s Bane is notable for its role in The Fellowship of the Ring. Its surprise attack on the Fellowship hinted at ancient horrors lurking in the dark corners of the world.
Still from The Rings of Power (Credit: Prime Video)
The battle with Gandalf showcases the struggle of good against evil. Gandalf’s defiant stance and ultimate sacrifice to defeat Durin’s Bane are memorable moments in Tolkien’s work. Gandalf’s victory over this Balrog demonstrates that even the greatest evil can be overcome, although it comes at a significant cost.
The Balrogs are among the most striking and memorable creatures in Tolkien’s legendarium. Each Balrog has a unique role and story, contributing to the rich view of Middle-earth’s history. Their fearsome appearance, tragic backstories, and epic battles continue to attract readers and fans of Tolkien’s work.
