Major Shake-Up Hits Tulsa King Season 4 Production Crew

Just ahead of filming, 26 crew members, including Sylvester Stallone's longtime stunt double, won't be returning for the hit Paramount+ series' fourth season, sparking concern among the film community.

TL;DR

• Around 26 Tulsa King crew members, including Sylvester Stallone's longtime stunt double, were let go right before Season 4 production was set to begin.
• Despite a previous two-year renewal deal, many affected staffers were informed of their dismissal "at the buzzer," feeling blindsided.
• Insiders state these specific crew changes are "standard practice" and not due to budget cuts, with all roles reportedly being replaced, even as Paramount faces wider corporate layoffs.

Unexpected Departures Shock the Tulsa King Production Team

Talk about a curveball! As fans eagerly anticipate the fourth season of Paramount+'s gritty crime drama, Tulsa King, there's been some significant — and surprising — behind-the-scenes news. A substantial portion of the show's crew, about 26 members out of a 600-person team, were reportedly told they wouldn't be returning for the upcoming season, just weeks, or even days, before production was scheduled to kick off. This isn't just a minor reshuffle; it's a move that has left many in the Atlanta film community reeling, especially since many had reason to believe their jobs were secure for the foreseeable future.

These crew members, who were instrumental in bringing the world of Dwight "The General" Manfredi to life, spanned a wide range of departments. We're talking about essential roles in sound, camera operation, stunts, rigging, transportation, the production office, extras casting, hair, and photography. It takes a village to make a hit show, and these individuals were key villagers. The sting of their unexpected departure is even sharper because, as reported, they had been led to believe their positions were safe. This assumption stemmed from a two-year renewal deal for the series, which was reportedly closed in 2024 alongside star and executive producer Sylvester Stallone's own new contract.

Longtime Collaborators Find Themselves Out "At the Buzzer"

Among those affected by these sudden changes are some very familiar faces to the production, including individuals with deep ties to the show's leading man. Freddie Poole, an Emmy-nominated stunt coordinator who has doubled for Sylvester Stallone for an incredible 14 years, found himself on the chopping block. Poole, who received Emmy nominations for his stunt coordinating work on Tulsa King in both 2023 and 2025, learned of his dismissal within just two weeks of his scheduled start date for Season 4. The explanation given by 101 Studios for his termination was "creative reasons," and while he was offered a new role as a photo double, Poole ultimately declined.

"I feel really bad for the Atlanta film community with just the way things went down," Poole shared, expressing his disappointment. "I’ve been in this business for 30 years and I’ve been on shows for multiple seasons, and I’ve never seen this kind of turnover."

Poole's sentiment underscores the unusual nature of this situation. For a seasoned veteran to describe this level of turnover as unprecedented speaks volumes about the impact on the industry professionals involved. His long history with Stallone makes his departure particularly noteworthy, highlighting the abruptness with which these decisions were made.

Another key figure who won't be returning is Chad Gregory, who served as Sylvester Stallone's stand-in for all three previous seasons of Tulsa King. Gregory discovered he wouldn't be brought back not through official channels, but through the industry grapevine. A friend informed him that his former position, which previously paid $250 per day, had been reposted with a significantly higher rate of $400 a day. This revelation only added to the frustration felt by those affected, suggesting that the roles were not being eliminated but rather refilled, sometimes at a premium.

Gregory candidly expressed his feelings about the situation. "Look, I get it," he said, acknowledging the business side of the industry. "Business is business. I’m sure there will be some who see this and say I need to stiffen up. That’s fine. You’re entitled to your opinion. But I will say this, unless you are out there getting gut punched, I don’t give a flying rip about your opinion." His words powerfully convey the personal and emotional toll these sudden changes can take on crew members who dedicate their lives to these productions.

Studio Silence and Insider Perspectives on Crew Turnover

In the wake of these revelations, both 101 Studios, which produces Tulsa King, and Paramount declined to comment on the matter. However, unnamed insiders have offered some perspective on the situation. These sources have reportedly stressed that crew turnover on productions is "standard practice" across the industry from season to season. They also pointed out that everyone who was not asked back for Season 4 was without specific contracts for the upcoming season, implying that their employment was on a seasonal basis, which is common in television production.

Crucially, these insiders emphasized that budget cuts were not a factor in these specific crew changes for Tulsa King. They clarified that all 26 roles are expected to be replaced, rather than eliminated. This distinction is vital, especially given the broader economic climate affecting Paramount and the entertainment industry as a whole. While the timing certainly feels connected to larger corporate shifts, the show's production team maintains a different internal explanation for these particular staffing decisions.

Broader Industry Shifts: Taylor Sheridan, Paramount Layoffs, and Creative Leadership

The crew changes on Tulsa King don't occur in a vacuum; they're happening against a backdrop of significant shifts within Paramount and the broader entertainment landscape orchestrated by the show's creator, Taylor Sheridan.

Indeed, there have already been notable changes in the creative leadership for Tulsa King's upcoming season. Deadline reported in September that Terence Winter is set to return as an executive producer and head writer for Season 4. Winter, who initially served as both executive producer and showrunner for the show's debut season, had stepped down from the showrunner role after that first year. He later rejoined the series as a head writer and executive producer for Season 2, but did not return for Season 3, making his return for Season 4 a significant shift. Meanwhile, Dave Erickson, who held the showrunner position for Season 3, is now exiting the series. This turbulent journey of creative leadership suggests an ongoing effort to fine-tune the show's direction, which could certainly impact staffing decisions, even if indirectly.

Adding to the industry buzz, just days before this news broke, it was revealed that Taylor Sheridan himself is making a monumental move. The prolific creator, known for his work on Yellowstone and its various spin-offs, is reportedly leaving Paramount for a massive film and TV deal with NBCUniversal. This new five-year overall deal for Sheridan is set to begin on January 1, 2029, following the expiration of his current overall TV deal with Paramount in 2028. While this high-profile departure doesn't directly impact Tulsa King immediately (as his deal runs until 2028), it certainly signals a major realignment of creative talent within the industry and could cast a shadow over ongoing productions at Paramount, even if specific crew cuts aren't directly attributed to it.

Furthermore, the entire situation is unfolding as Paramount is undergoing significant company-wide restructuring. The company announced sweeping job cuts, with approximately 1,000 U.S.-based workers being let go in an initial round, and roughly another 1,000 expected to follow. These mass layoffs across the corporation create a climate of uncertainty and concern for all employees, and while insiders for Tulsa King state that the crew changes for Season 4 were not budget-driven, it's hard to ignore the broader context of a company tightening its belt.

What This Means for Tulsa King Season 4 and Beyond

As Tulsa King gears up to resume production within the next week (as of late October/early November 2025), these crew changes, combined with shifts in creative leadership and the broader industry landscape, make for a particularly interesting moment for the show. While the roles of the departed crew members are expected to be filled, the impact of losing experienced and long-standing talent like Freddie Poole and Chad Gregory, who had such close working relationships with Sylvester Stallone, remains to be seen. The personal touch and deep understanding developed over years of collaboration are not easily replicated.

Fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how these changes influence the upcoming season. With Terence Winter returning to a more prominent creative role and new crew members stepping in, Season 4 of Tulsa King could offer a fresh perspective, or perhaps face challenges in maintaining the established flow and chemistry behind the scenes. Despite the shake-ups, the core of Tulsa King—Sylvester Stallone leading a fish-out-of-water mobster story—remains a compelling draw for audiences on Paramount+. The show's ability to navigate these internal shifts while continuing to deliver compelling stories will be a testament to its resilience in an ever-evolving entertainment world.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tulsa King Season 4

When does Tulsa King Season 4 start filming? Based on recent reports, production for Tulsa King Season 4 is expected to resume very soon, likely in early November 2025.

Where can I watch Tulsa King? Tulsa King is exclusively available to stream on Paramount+.

Who is the creator of Tulsa King? The series was created by the prolific writer and producer Taylor Sheridan, known for his expanding universe of Western dramas.

Is Sylvester Stallone still starring in Tulsa King Season 4? Yes, Sylvester Stallone is still the star and executive producer of Tulsa King. His deal in 2024 secured the show's two-year renewal.

Sources:

• Deadline Film + TV - ‘Tulsa King’: 26 Crew Members, Including Sylvester Stallone’s Stunt Double, Abruptly Replaced On Eve Of Season 4 Shoot
• ScreenRant - Tulsa King: Sylvester Stallone’s Stunt Double Cut By Paramount
• The News Digital - Sylvester Stallone’s ‘Tulsa King’ sees sudden major cast change