Neal McDonough has made a career out of playing men with power, precision, and a slightly terrifying edge — and now he’s bringing that energy to Tulsa King in a big way. During a conversation about his upcoming movie The Last Rodeo, the actor confirmed to Collider that he’s returning for Season 3 of Taylor Sheridan’s hit Paramount+ crime drama, and this time, he’s not just playing a territorial businessman. He’s stepping into office. That’s a major upgrade from Season 2, where McDonough was introduced as Cal Thresher, a wealthy and fiercely territorial local power broker. Described as a “powerful and extremely territorial businessman,” Thresher was already a problem for Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight Manfredi—now, as governor, he’s a full-blown political and criminal threat rolled into one. McDonough told Collider:
“Now I play the governor on this season of Tulsa King. We were with David Glasser [executive producer] last year, and everybody said, ‘Tell him your idea. Tell him your idea.’ I said, ‘David, I’d like to come back as the governor next year.’ He thought about it and said, ‘That’s a good idea.’ I didn’t hear anything for two months… and then I get the call, ‘Okay, you’re back in Tulsa King again this year. You’ll start in two weeks.’ I read the script, and on the first page: Cal Thresher becoming governor of the great state of Oklahoma.”
Neal McDonough Thinks Taylor Sheridan Is a “Beast”
Season 2 of Tulsa King set the stage for a more chaotic future for Stallone’s mob boss. After building a criminal empire in the wide-open spaces of Tulsa, Dwight was met with increased pressure from both the Kansas City mob and powerful local figures like Thresher. And as the series heads into Season 3, the stakes are higher than ever.
McDonough’s casting as the governor is especially juicy considering his résumé. He’s played memorable villains on Justified, Yellowstone, Desperate Housewives, and in the Arrowverse as Damien Darhk. Each time, McDonough brings a specific kind of charm and menace — equal parts gentleman and ticking time bomb. In Tulsa King, he now holds the cards legally and politically, making him a nightmare for Dwight’s already-complicated empire. It’s exactly the sort of role he was looking for from a writer like Sheridan.
“Taylor Sheridan’s a beast,” McDonough said. “That is one prolific writer, possibly the most prolific writer of our time — from Wind River to Tulsa King to Lioness, Landman, Yellowstone, 1923, 1883.”
What Is Neal McDonough Making Next?
McDonough’s next project, for which he spoke to Collider, is The Last Rodeo. A passion project for McDonough, it follows Joe Wainwright (McDonough), a retired rodeo champion who returns to the arena to help his grandson, who desperately needs to raise funds for medical help. McDonough co-wrote the screenplay with director Jon Avnet and Derek Presley and also serves as a producer alongside his wife, Ruvé McDonough, who has a small role in the film. We’ll have more coverage of The Last Rodeo ahead of its release on May 23, 2025.
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on the production of Tulsa King’s third season, which is currently underway.