Tulsa King has yet not honoured this one major Taylor Sheridan tradition, explained in depth

Tulsa King, created by Taylor Sheridan, premiered on Paramount+ in November 2022, introducing a crime drama. The show stars Sylvester Stallone as Dwight Manfredi, a New York mobster sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma, after serving twenty-five years in prison.

As he tries to build a new criminal empire, the show explores a mob drama with a Midwestern setting. However, Tulsa King breaks a notable tradition found in nearly every Taylor Sheridan series. It’s the only Sheridan show where we don’t see James Jordan.

Tulsa King has not honoured Taylor Sheridan's tradition of featuring James Jordan

One of Taylor Sheridan’s trademarks across his shows is the presence of James Jordan. It is seen as a tradition at this point. Across all of Sheridan’s universes, Jordan consistently appears in memorable roles. Over the years, Jordan has appeared in nearly all of Sheridan’s shows, from Yellowstone and 1883 to Mayor of Kingstown, Special Ops: Lioness, and Landman.

In Yellowstone, Jordan played Agent Steve Hendon, a livestock agent who was rash in his actions. He often committed violent acts without thinking them through or being remorseful. He worked alongside Kayce Dutton but became known for his unpredictable and brutal behavior. Jordan’s portrayal of Hendon brought a dark and dangerous layer to the show’s early seasons.

In the prequel 1883, Jordan appears as a guest character, Cookie, the chuckwagon cook hired to butcher cattle for a train wagon. He appears in four episodes of the show and provides comic relief but also makes rash decisions that cause problems for the train wagon. Despite his flaws, he becomes a memorable part of the show.

In Mayor of Kingstown, Jordan plays Ed, a hard-edged corrections officer with a cold and sometimes cruel outlook. In Special Ops: Lioness, he plays Two Cups, a no-nonsense, reliable team member working with Joe McNamara on high-stakes missions. Most recently, in Landman, Jordan plays Dale Bradley, a funny and likable character who brings warmth to the harsh world of oilfield work. He’s also confirmed to return for Landman Season Two in November 2025.

Will Tulsa King finally feature James Jordan?

Only two Sheridan shows have not featured Jordan so far: 1923 and Tulsa King. While the former was a shorter prequel with a tighter focus, the latter has had plenty of room to introduce new characters. That makes Jordan’s absence surprising, given Sheridan’s habit of reusing familiar faces—particularly Jordan.

The good news is that Tulsa King still has time to include him. The show has been renewed for Season 3, and as Dwight’s criminal operation grows, there are a lot of opportunities to introduce new characters. James Jordan might be cast as a new rival mobster or a shady business partner.

There is also a chance that Sheridan might introduce Jordan as a character in the upcoming spinoff of the crime drama, called NOLA King. The series will be set in New Orleans and star Samuel L. Jackson.

Jordan has become central to Sheridan’s storytelling approach. His characters often stand out, whether they’re bringing humor, chaos, or emotional depth. His absence breaks a familiar pattern—but there’s still time to change that.

With Season 3 of the crime drama confirmed and its spin-off in the works, it’s very likely that Jordan could finally join the world of Tulsa King in the near future. However, there’s no confirmation yet. His addition would uphold a Sheridan hallmark and strengthen the ensemble.

Tulsa King is streaming on Paramount+.

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