Tulsa Kingis currently one of the best shows on television right now and one of the latest hit series byYellowstonecreator,Taylor Sheridan. The series starsSylvester Stalloneas a New York mafioso, Dwight “The General” Manfredi, who, after serving twenty-five years behind bars, is exiled by his former associates to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he decides to form his own crew, eventually claiming Tulsa as his domain.
The series has a unique blend of organized crime and lawless modern Western, making it stand out as a gem of a series, but there are some shows such asThe Sopranos,Mayor of Kingstown, andPeaky Blinders, that fall into several of the same categories asTulsa King. For those who loveTulsa King, these are some other hit series, includingBoardwalk EmpireandRay Donovanthat are guaranteed to be right up your alley.
Tulsa King
Tulsa Kingfollows New York mafia capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi (Stallone), just after he is released from prison after 25 years and unceremoniously exiled by his boss to set up shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
10’Ray Donovan' (2013-2020)
Created by Ann Biderman
Liev Schreiberstars as Ray Donovan, a former South Boston gangster turned fixer for Hollywood’s elite stars, who lives comfortably with his family in Los Angeles. Despite being thousands of miles away, Donovan’s past comes back to haunt him after his father, Mickey (Jon Voight), is released from prison and arrives in Los Angeles, expecting to be given what he believes is rightfully his.
Ray Donovanis an intense criminal drama featuring incredible performances by a great cast, notably Schreiber and Voight, who make the entire series worthwhile. With a successful seven-season run,Ray Donovanfollows an intriguing twist on the traditional gangster story with a touch of the glitz and glam of Hollywoodthat keeps the overall plot of the series fresh and unpredictable.
Ray Donovan
9’Godfather of Harlem' (2019-Present)
Created by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein
Forest Whittakergives an impressive performance as the real-life crime boss, Bumpy Johnson, who, after serving ten years in prison, returns to his neighborhood in Harlem to find it in pieces and controlled by the Italian mob. As Johnson tries to reclaim his territory, he must face off with the Genovese family as well as several other enemies who stand in his way of success.
Godfather of Harlemis a riveting criminal drama set during the early 1960s and loosely follows the life of Harlem crime boss, Bumpy Johnson. The show expertlydepicts the main storyline involving Johnson while intertwining it with surrounding social issues and public figures of its time, which solidifiesGodfather of Harlemas more than just a gangster series.
Godfather of Harlem
Watch on Hulu
8’Peaky Blinders' (2013-2022)
Created by Steven Knight
Set after the Great War, a notorious gang known as the Peaky Blinders is one of the most powerful groups in Britain, led by a war hero and fierce leader, Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy), who has bigger ambitions than just running the local neighborhood. As Shelby and his men fight to move up in the world, an inspector from Belfast arrives with the goal of ridding the country of its recent surge in criminal activity and gangs, becoming an obstacle for the Peaky Blinders to overcome.
Peaky Blindersis a fantastic British crime series that is loosely based on a real group of young criminals who were active during the 1880s to the 1920s. The series has been praised for its epic array of performances, gritty storytelling, andwell-developed characters,establishingPeaky Blindersas one of the best criminal dramas in the last several years. In June 2024, Netflix confirmed that the series will continue with a film,The Immortal Man, which is currently in production.
Peaky Blinders
A gangster family epic set in 1900s England, centering on a gang who sew razor blades in the peaks of their caps, and their fierce boss Tommy Shelby.
7’Narcos' (2015-2017)
Created by Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard, and Doug Miro
During the 1980s, cocaine was one of the most profitable drugs in the world and its biggest source was in the country of Colombia, where drug lords, notably Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura), were notorious players in the drug trade. As the cartel rose to power, various other entities such as law enforcement, political figures, and military operations, sought to control the popular drug, leading to inevitable conflicts between the two sides.
One of Netflix’s best original series,Narcos, gives a dual insight into the 1980s drug trade by chronicling Escobar and others' exploits along with the efforts made by those who were tasked with bringing them to justice. The series does a fabulous job at conveying the raw, genuine nature of the real-life drug lords who have been somewhat glorified in other content, while still appealing to audiences as intriguing, complex characters. Along with the lack of sugar-coating,Narcosdoesn’t cut corners on the law-abiding side of things, making it a rare blend of good versus evil and a solid criminal drama.
A chronicled look at the criminal exploits of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, as well as the many other drug kingpins who plagued the country through the years.
Watch on Netflix
6’Lilyhammer' (2012-2014)
Steven Van Zandtstars as Frank “The Fixer” Tagliano, a New York mob boss who, after testifying against his fellow associates, is sent by the FBI to Lilliehammer, Norway to start a new life. Despite the language and cultural differences, Tagliano manages to establish himself in the small town, bringing a touch of color and recklessness, making it feel a bit more like home for the mafioso.
Lilyhammeris one of the most underrated gangster series in the last decade, starring Van Zandt, who is best known for his role as Silvio Dante inThe Sopranosas well as for being an original member ofBruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band. The series has the perfect combination of crime and comedy, makingLilyhammera one-of-a-kind gangster series a crucial watch for any fan of the genre.
Lilyhammer
5’Sons of Anarchy' (2008-2014)
Created by Kurt Sutter
In Charming, California, Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam) finds a manifesto written by his late father and founder of their motorcycle club, the Sons of Anarchy, and begins questioning the group’s purpose as well as his own relationship with the club. As Teller tries to live up to his father’s words, the Sons of Anarchy maintain order in their small town, keeping drug dealers and violence out, while coming face to face with corruption, greed, and racism.
Sons of Anarchyis a gritty, fast-living series that follows a group of vigilantes who not only take the law into their own hands but also bend the rules themselves a bit. The show goes above and beyond to give an accurate portrayal of the motorcycle club, specifically having a real-life member of Hells Angels,David Labrava, serving as an advisor as well as a reoccurring character in the series.Sons of Anarchycreates an unpredictable tone by intertwining the club’s movements with the various personal lives of the main characters, ultimately delivering a compelling and distinctive criminal drama.
Sons of Anarchy
A biker struggles to balance being a father and being involved in an outlaw motorcycle club.
4’Mayor of Kingstown' (2021-Present)
Created by Taylor Sheridan and Hugh Dillon
Mike McLusky (Jeremy Renner) and his family attempt to maintain the peace in Kingstown, Michigan, where the most profitable business is incarceration, by serving as mediators between law enforcement and lifetime criminals. As McLusky tries to establish some form of law and order, he must overcome a series of issues such as racism and corruption that stand in his way.
Mayor of Kingstownis a powerful thriller series co-created by Taylor Sheridan and, like most of Sheridan’s work,Mayor of Kingstownfocuses on a family dynasty that has held power and profited in some way from the inner workings of a small town. The series stands out for its harsh views on the correctional system in the United States and the perspective of those who enforce it as well as those who fall victim to it. The series gives a detail-oriented view of both correlating sides of the law, makingMayor of Kingstowna remarkable and intricate crime drama.
Mayor of Kingstown
In Kingstown, a city plagued by corruption and crime, the McLusky family serves as crucial mediators between law enforcement, criminal factions, and the prison system. Mike McLusky, taking over after his brother’s untimely death, tries to maintain a precarious peace amidst widespread corruption and violence. As he juggles the demands of the various power players and seeks justice for the community, Mike encounters relentless challenges that push him to his limits and question his own moral boundaries.
3’Boardwalk Empire' (2010-2014)
Created by Terence Winter
Set during the wake of Prohibition, Atlantic City treasurer, Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi), sets his sights on bootlegging and eventually gains a reputation for being one of the biggest suppliers of alcohol. His notoriety gains the attention of notorious gangsters, including Al Capone (Stephen Graham) and Arnold Rothstein (Michael Sthulberg), leading him to lead a double life as a politician and a gangster.
Loosely based on the life of crime boss and political leader,Enoch L. Johnson,Boardwalk Empireis a historical crime drama created byTulsa Kingshowrunner and veteranSopranos' writer,Terence Winter. The series has been credited as one of the best depictions of criminal activity during the 1920s and features well-developed, detail-oriented characters played by a star-studded cast includingMichael Kenneth Williams,Michael Shannon,John Huston, andseveral stars fromThe Sopranos.Boardwalk Empireis a beautifully executed criminal drama that captures the glory and violent aspects of the Roaring ’20s, making it a vital series for any fan ofTulsa King.
2’The Sopranos' (1999-2007)
Created by David Chase
James Gandolfinistars in his signature role as the iconicNew Jersey crime boss, Tony Soprano, who, after passing out and losing consciousness, secretly seeks professional help to hopefully get to the cause of his recent attack. While he works on his mental health by seeing a psychiatrist, he struggles to balance his work and home life, while also caring for his aging mother, Livia (Nancy Marchand), who seems to be the prime source of the mob boss' stress.
The Sopranosultimately changed the landscape of television and has since become a staple in pop culture as well as the gangster genre. The series is known for its unforgettable performances, intricate, detailed characters, and phenomenal writing, earning severalPrimetime Emmysthroughout its six-season run. Today,The Sopranosreigns as one of the greatest television dramas of all time and remains to be a sui generis of a series.
The Sopranos
New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life that affect his mental state, leading him to seek professional psychiatric counseling.
1’Yellowstone' (2018-Present)
Created by Taylor Sheridan
Kevin Costnerstars as John Dutton, the patriarch of the powerful and wealthy Dutton family who owns the largest ranch in the United States. While constantly in conflict with people who either border or want his property, Dutton must also deal with his family and their own fair share of darkness and intense drama, such as unsolved murders, extensive cover-ups, and shifting alliances.
Yellowstoneisan epic neo-Western seriesfull of grit, violence, and unpredictable drama and deserves to be on the watchlist of anyTulsa Kingfan. Costner is an absolute sight to behold as the no-nonsense Dutton and in 2023, he won aGolden Globefor his performance. Despite not being a full-blown gangster series,Yellowstoneis still a satisfying drama that surrounds a crime-riddled family dynasty that would easily earn a seat at the table with Dwight Manfredi.
Yellowstone
A ranching family in Montana faces off against others encroaching on their land.
