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Tulsa King made fans of all who saw the 1st season back in late 2022. Casual viewers and critics alike praised Sly in the role of mafia boss Dwight "The General" Manfredi. Seeing Sly in a different setting, detached from the action/sports genre was a welcome change in his filmography. Sly gets to flex his acting muscles and the story gives him a lot to bite on.
The series holds the attention of the viewers from start to finish and builds intrigue in each successive episode. The 2nd season will be streaming from 15th September, but the wait may prove to be too much for some.
These are some highly-rated crime shows, that are more than enough to make the wait for Tulsa King more bearable.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.
The Sopranos, Narcos, and 6 other highly-rated crime shows like Tulsa King
1) The Sopranos - Hulu
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Tony Soprano navigates a dangerous world of threats from authorities and rival crime families, similar to what Dwight faces in Tulsa King. The Sopranos established a groundbreaking standard for television in the early 2000s by portraying a complex narrative set in the world of organized crime.
Similar to Phil Leotardo, Richie Aprile, and Feech La Manna, Dwight from Tulsa King exemplifies the constant ambition and steadfast allegiance that characterize the realm of organized crime. His unwillingness to show reverence for younger generations mirrors the intergenerational clashes commonly observed within the mafia families depicted in The Sopranos.
2) Sons Of Anarchy - Hulu
SOA is a critically acclaimed show that delves into the gritty world of an outlaw motorcycle club appropriately titled, the Sons of Anarchy, based in Charming, California. The series explores the interpersonal relationships between the club members, their families, and the surrounding community while tackling themes of loyalty, brotherhood, and the American Dream.
The show follows the brash and rough vice president of the club, Jax Teller. After taking up a leadership role, Jax struggles to strike a balance between his father's legacy and trying to secure the club's reputation.
SOA does not shy away from exploring the darker aspects of human nature, including drug addiction, betrayal, and the devastating consequences of gang warfare. Despite its gritty subject matter, the show also features moments of tenderness, and humor just like Tulsa King.
3) The Wire - Max
The Wire is a masterfully crafted series, with each season exploring a different facet of life in Baltimore, the true star of the show. Over five seasons, it follows one police unit and one drug network, allowing us to deeply know the characters on both sides.
Throughout, the same characters evolve, their stories intertwining and influencing each other, making all five seasons a cohesive and compelling narrative.
The insight into the world of organized crime is something that fans also expect from the subsequent seasons of Tulsa King.
4) Narcos - Netflix
In the 80s and 90s, the name Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria was synonymous with the international drug trade. The hit Netflix series, Narcos takes a deep dive into his humble beginnings in Colombia, to becoming the most notorious drug lord in the entire world. The first two seasons focus entirely on Escobar, the leader of the Medellín Cartel, while the subsequent seasons branch off to the stories of other crime organizations that are equally dangerous.
The series gives viewers an insight into the functioning of a cartel, rampant corruption in the 80s and 90s, and how America waged its war against drugs. The show has immense talent behind the characters, especially Wagner Moura, who breathed life into the notable personality of Pablo Escobar. Fans of Tulsa King will find the honest portrayal of problematic characters quite appealing.
5) Ozark - Netflix
Following a failed money laundering operation, Marty Byrde relocates his family of four from Chicago to a resort in the Ozarks. To protect his family, he must repay a large debt to a Mexican drug lord who is seeking revenge on him. The broken Byrde family has an opportunity to come together while their fate remains uncertain.
Taking place in the picturesque Ozarks, the series delves into the intricate relationships among Marty and his relatives while they struggle to survive each day. In the series, they frequently find themselves backed into a corner and are compelled to make decisions that raise moral concerns.
Featuring Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, and Sofia Hublitz, this series is a must-watch, those who want an all-around exceptional experience just like Tulsa King.
6) Peaky Blinders - Netflix
Ever since Peaky Blinders premiered in 2013, Cillian Murphy's portrayal of Thomas Shelby has made a lasting impact on popular culture. The highly praised British historical crime drama series takes place in Birmingham after World War 1. The Peaky Blinders gang is involved in a variety of illegal activities like drugs, arms bootlegging, and extorting.
Tommy Shelby, the head of the Shelby family and a savvy strategist. The series also presents the family and romantic relationships of the Peaky Blinders. Tommy prefers to maintain an inner circle and leads the group with his siblings and his aunt Polly. The situation becomes complicated when the boundary between gang affairs and family connections is blurred, a frequent occurrence.
How these characters respond to these situations is possibly the most captivating element of the show. Peaky Blinders, with its chic style and talented cast, is a must-watch show following Tulsa King.
7) Yellowstone
Yellowstone tells the story of the Dutton family, led by John Dutton, who owns the largest ranch in the U.S. It's a world filled with constant threats—from land developers, the neighboring Native American reservation, and even America's first national park. The show dives deep into a gritty, often violent reality, far from the public eye, where power and land are everything.
Developers get rich off land deals, and politicians are bought and sold by giant oil and lumber companies. In this world, poisoned water from fracking and unsolved murders aren’t headlines—they're just part of life in this new frontier. Through the Duttons' eyes, we see both the best and the worst of America, as they embody both sides of the struggle for control, survival, and legacy.
Fans of Tulsa King will appreciate the honest and often horrifyingly accurate exploration of the reality in America.
8) Vincenzo
When he was 8 years old, Park Joo-Hyeong was adopted and relocated to Italy, ultimately growing up as Vincenzo Cassano (portrayed by Song Joong-Ki). As he grew older, he evolved into a cunning and merciless attorney, acting as a trusted advisor for the Italian Mob. Nevertheless, because of increasing disputes among competing Mafia groups, Vincenzo has to leave Italy and go back to South Korea, where he hasn't been since childhood.
Although he has a troubling history and connections to the Mafia, Vincenzo is determined to fight for his own idea of social justice, utilizing his cleverness and knowledge gained in Italy to bring down the corrupt entities blocking his path. The story of an exiled protagonist will resonate well with fans of Tulsa King.
These eight shows offer a gripping mix of crime, corruption, and complex characters, much like Tulsa King. people who are into mafia bosses, outlaw bikers, or powerful families, each series brings its own unique flavor to the world of crime drama, making them perfect to watch, while waiting for the return of Dwight "The General" Manfredi in season 2 of Tulsa King.
