Tulsa King Season 3: Why did Cole Dunmire choose to backstab Jeremiah? Explained in-depth

Tulsa King Season 3 ended with its tenth and final episode, Out of Adventure, on November 23, 2025, and the finale featured a betrayal no one saw coming. In the finale episode, we see a dramatic rescue, political developments, and one of the season’s biggest twists: Cole Dunmire betraying his father, Jeremiah Dunmire.

While Dwight and his team managed to rescue Joanne, none of it would've been possible without Cole. There were hints throughout the season of Cole's strained relationship with Jeremiah. Still, his finally deciding to betray his father allowed Dwight not only to rescue his sister but also to end his rivalry with Jeremiah.

Why Cole betrayed Jeremiah in Tulsa King Season 3

The final episode of Tulsa King Season 3 began with Dwight and Margaret discussing Thresher’s growing election chances after the bombing incident. Thresher later invited Margaret to join his team full-time after the election. On the other hand, Dwight discovered that his sister Joanne, whom he frantically looked for, had gone missing. He then received a ransom call from Jeremiah Dunmire and realized that he had taken Joanne.

After learning that Joanne had been taken, Dwight gathered his team to plan a rescue, but what he did not expect was Cole Dunmire arriving and offering help. He surprisingly revealed the location where Joanne was kept, showing that he was no longer on his father's side. Dwight’s crew then raided the Dunmire residence, rescued Joanne, and forced Jeremiah to run away. Dwight later caught Jeremiah and ended their rivalry by killing him. Thus, Cole became the reason Dwight not only found Joanne, but also managed to end his rivalry with Jeremiah.

While the Tulsa King Season 3 finale featured other important events, Cole’s betrayal was the biggest surprise. But Cole did not decide to betray his father overnight. This had actually been developing throughout the season. Cole and Jeremiah have had a difficult relationship from the beginning, which was evident from every interaction between them. There was tension, disrespect, and a sense of growing resentment. Jeremiah treated Cole harshly, dismissed him from important family matters, and showed very little concern towards him. That was bound to have some repercussions, and in a way, Jeremiah had this betrayal coming.

Tulsa King Season 3 also highlighted Cole’s strong moral compass. Despite being Jeremiah's son, he had previously intervened to protect others, warned people before dangerous incidents, and often did not agree with the crimes his father forced him to support. Cole might have been Jeremiah's son, but his role in Joanne's rescue was a crucial step toward distancing himself from his father's violent actions.

Cole’s decision to turn against his father highlights the core theme of Tulsa King Season 3. This season focused heavily on family, loyalty, and the consequences of how people treat those closest to them. Throughout the season, Jeremiah damaged his relationship with his own family through control and cruelty, while Dwight strengthened his relationship with his team through support and loyalty. Ultimately, Cole’s betrayal shows the impact of Jeremiah's choices. Jeremiah’s downfall came from the way he treated the people around him, including his own son. In contrast, Dwight’s success came from protecting and valuing his family.

Tulsa King Season 3 is streaming on Paramount+, and Season 4 is currently in production, with a release date expected at the end of 2026.

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