Stallone's 'Tulsa King' Move Proves Seniors Aren't Just Slowing Down

The news that Sylvester Stallone's crime drama "Tulsa King" is relocating its production from Atlanta to New York for its next season, with Stallone's character Dwight Manfredi still building a criminal empire well into his 70s, has largely been reported as a simple production update

"Variety has learned from sources that a writers’ room for Season 5 is now open, with Season 4 of the Sylvester Stallone-led Paramount+ show recently wrapping production. But while the show has mostly shot in Atlanta throughout its run, there are plans to relocate the production to New York for the next season."

. However, this move, and the very premise of the show, powerfully rejects the tired trope that retirement signifies a winding down of life's ambitions. Instead, it offers a vibrant, albeit fictional, example of reinvention and adapting to new challenges in later life. Stallone himself, at 76, embodies this, noting that his character is "basically like Napoleon going to Elba," facing a "rebirth of a new family"

"The 76-year-old checks both of those boxes with Tulsa King, a new Paramount+ crime drama in which he stars as mob captain Dwight Manfredi, who returns from a lengthy prison stint to discover the family is sending him out to set up a racket in Tulsa, Okla. 'He’s exiled,' Stallone says... 'And he goes out there lonely, 76 years old, basically like Napoleon going to Elba.' The audience, as Stallone notes, 'gets to see him at this rebirth of a new family.'"

. This narrative challenges the industry's assumption that older actors, and by extension older individuals, are only suited for diminishing roles or a quiet exit. The show's producer, Terence Winter, even highlighted how Manfredi's age adds "urgency to the story," a ticking clock that makes his actions consequential, a stark contrast to the passive retirement often depicted

"In an exclusive interview with Deadline, Terence Winter spoke about 'Tulsa King' and explained that Dwight Manfredi’s age gives the show a ticking clock because he literally only has so much time to actually fix things. This makes every mistake for Manfredi all the more consequential, despite the fact that even Winter admits Stallone is not exactly your typical 75-year-old."

. The real story here isn't just about a TV show's logistics; it's about a generation refusing to fade into the background.

The common perception, often reinforced by media portrayals, is that retirement signifies a quiet winding down. However, the continued success and narrative drive of shows like "Tulsa King," featuring a protagonist in his 70s actively building a criminal enterprise, directly challenges this notion. Sylvester Stallone, at 76, plays Dwight Manfredi, a character exiled to build a new racket, a situation he likens to Napoleon's exile but with a focus on rebirth

"The 76-year-old checks both of those boxes with Tulsa King, a new Paramount+ crime drama in which he stars as mob captain Dwight Manfredi, who returns from a lengthy prison stint to discover the family is sending him out to set up a racket in Tulsa, Okla. 'He’s exiled,' Stallone says... 'And he goes out there lonely, 76 years old, basically like Napoleon going to Elba.' The audience, as Stallone notes, 'gets to see him at this rebirth of a new family.'"

. This isn't just a plot device; it reflects a growing reality for many older adults who are not content with passive retirement. As Stallone himself notes, "Normally, you’re done at my age." Yet, he remains active, finding parallels between his own career pressures and his character's journey of reinvention away from the spotlight

"Normally, you’re done at my age.' However, the 76-year-old is definitely not in retirement working on his golf swing. ... 'There’s a great deal of perspective because what Dwight is going through is actually what I’ve gone through,' says Stallone, 'the Hollywood pressure of moving away from the spotlight in favour of new blood.'"

. The show's producer even emphasized that Manfredi's age adds a "ticking clock" to his story, making his every move more significant

"In an exclusive interview with Deadline, Terence Winter spoke about 'Tulsa King' and explained that Dwight Manfredi’s age gives the show a ticking clock because he literally only has so much time to actually fix things. This makes every mistake for Manfredi all the more consequential, despite the fact that even Winter admits Stallone is not exactly your typical 75-year-old."

, a far cry from the sedentary image of old age.

The decision to move "Tulsa King" from Atlanta to New York for Season 2

"Variety has learned from sources that a writers’ room for Season 5 is now open, with Season 4 of the Sylvester Stallone-led Paramount+ show recently wrapping production. But while the show has mostly shot in Atlanta throughout its run, there are plans to relocate the production to New York for the next season."

is more than a production change; it's a symbolic shift. New York, a city synonymous with ambition and constant reinvention, provides a fitting backdrop for a character like Dwight Manfredi who is, as Stallone puts it, "constantly rebuilding his life"

"At 78, Sylvester Stallone is having the kind of third act most actors only dream about. ... 'Dwight’s the kind of guy who’s constantly rebuilding his life,' Stallone said... 'He’s starting over, fighting back, refusing to fade away. And that still mirrors me, after all these years in Hollywood.'"

. This move also subtly highlights Hollywood's often ageist assumptions. While the industry frequently grapples with how to cast and represent older individuals, Stallone, at 78, is having a "third act most actors only dream about"

"At 78, Sylvester Stallone is having the kind of third act most actors only dream about. ... 'Dwight’s the kind of guy who’s constantly rebuilding his life,' Stallone said... 'He’s starting over, fighting back, refusing to fade away. And that still mirrors me, after all these years in Hollywood.'"

. The show’s premise, featuring a seasoned character navigating new challenges, offers a powerful counter-narrative to the idea that older actors are only suited for limited or declining roles. The industry’s decision to continue investing in such a narrative, even with a logistical shift, underscores a potential awakening to the marketability of experienced protagonists.

The "Tulsa King" phenomenon isn't just about entertainment; it has tangible financial implications for the 55+ demographic. This group, often overlooked or stereotyped, represents a significant and growing consumer base with disposable income. Shows that resonate with this audience, depicting them as active, ambitious, and capable of reinvention, tap into a lucrative market. The producers of "Tulsa King" recognize that an older protagonist facing new challenges adds a unique "urgency" to the narrative

"In an exclusive interview with Deadline, Terence Winter spoke about 'Tulsa King' and explained that Dwight Manfredi’s age gives the show a ticking clock because he literally only has so much time to actually fix things. This makes every mistake for Manfredi all the more consequential, despite the fact that even Winter admits Stallone is not exactly your typical 75-year-old."

, suggesting that these stories have inherent dramatic and commercial value. For individuals in this age bracket, seeing characters like Dwight Manfredi actively building empires, rather than passively retiring, validates their own life choices and aspirations. This trend suggests an opportunity for brands and services targeting seniors to move beyond traditional marketing and embrace narratives of continued engagement and ambition. Think of it like Mint Mobile undercutting established carriers by targeting a specific, underserved audience — there's a clear market for content and products that acknowledge the dynamism of later life.