Terence Winter’s Departure As Showrunner Has Tulsa King Fans Alarmed – Looper

“Tulsa King” was renewed for a 2nd season soon after its premiere. It would be months later before news hit of Terence Winter stepping away from the showrunner role. The reasons that were given point toward the multi-hyphenate’s other projects in the works. Notable among the list is a collaboration with famed director Martin Scorcese and another period piece set around ’80s baseball. Other reports suggest it was something more in line with creative differences between Winter and series creator Taylor Sheridan, according to Deadline.

The announcement of Winter’s departure has “Tulsa King” fans speculating about the series’ future. Viewers took to social media with their opinions about what lies ahead. While some are staying optimistic, others are not so sure about the direction. A Reddit thread devoted to the showrunner change was front and center in the debate. Not everyone was convinced that Winter brought out the best in the series. “It’s not like TK S1 was without its issues. This might be a good thing,” wrote u/baummer. Another user backed up that sentiment and went even further with their complaints about Season 1. “Can’t be worse written then the first season. Good god that ending with the bikers was some of the laziest writing I’ve ever seen,” u/socalfishman posted later. 

The latter was a common complaint, as the Black Macadam gang saw their story resolved during Season 1. In the season finale, they fight against Manfredi and his team in a brutal shootout; he ultimately shoots gang leader Waltrip (Ritchie Coster) to end their battle.