‘Tulsa King’ Season 4 Release Date: Cast

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📺 Trailer: Tulsa King | Season 4 Official Teaser | Paramount+ · Paramount Plus on YouTube

Why These Four Announcements Have Me Buzzing

When a teaser drops for Tulsa King and a 30‑year‑old animated passion project finally gets a Netflix release slot, you know the streaming calendar is about to get interesting. Add a third season of India’s cult thriller Asur and a martial‑arts debut from the Mohanlal dynasty, and you’ve got a perfect excuse to clear your watchlist (and maybe stock up on popcorn). I’m not usually the type to treat a release‑date roundup like a headline act, but the mix of legacy talent, surprising creative shifts, and platform cross‑overs feels like a mini‑festival for anyone who lives on Paramount+, Netflix, JioHotstar, or any of the big‑three streaming giants.

What’s Actually Happening: Dates, Cast, and Platform Moves

First up, Tulsa King is back on Paramount+ with a premiere set for Friday, October 16. The fourth season promises “unpredictable action” as Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight wrestles with corrupt politicians, new enemies, and a personal loss that could topple his empire. The teaser asks, “How long will he reign?” – a fitting question given the series’ escalating stakes. Season 4 also marks a behind‑the‑scenes shuffle: original showrunner Dave Erickson has exited, while Terence Winter, who helmed season 1, returns as head writer and executive producer. The ensemble expands with returning faces like Martin Starr and Frank Grillo, plus newcomers such as Gretchen Mol (playing politician Amanda Clark) and Eden Lee (the Governor’s chief of staff).

On the animation front, Brad Bird’s long‑gestating sci‑fi noir Ray Gunn will land on Netflix in December 2026**. After a half‑century of script drafts, studio hops, and a budget rumored to exceed $150 million, the film finally secured a home under the Skydance‑Netflix multi‑year pact. The story unfolds in Metropia, an alternate‑future megacity, and blends 1930s pulp detective vibes with futuristic world‑building. Bird emphasized at Annecy that the movie relies entirely on pure keyframe animation—no motion capture, just good old‑fashioned craftsmanship. The voice cast, while not listed in the source, is billed as “star‑studded,” and the film will debut at the London Film Festival before its Netflix streaming debut.

Turning to India, Asur is gearing up for a third season. Production kicked off in Mumbai on August 30 and is slated to wrap by December 2026, with a target premiere in mid‑2027 on JioHotstar. The core duo—Arshad Warsi as forensic expert Dhananjay Rajput and Barun Sobti as Nikhil Nair—are back, joined by returning cast members Ridhi Dogra, Anupriya Goenka, and Vishesh Bansal. Fresh faces include Ahsaas Channa and Shweta Basu Prasad. The biggest shake‑up is behind the camera: creator‑writer Gaurav Shukla is taking over directorial duties from Oni Sen, co‑directing with ad‑filmmaker Shwetabh Varma. Shukla’s résumé includes “Angrezi Medium” and “The Girl on the Train,” and this will be his directorial debut.

Lastly, Malayalam cinema gets a martial‑arts thriller with Thudakkam. After a theatrical run beginning August 7 2026, the film will stream on JioHotstar starting September 18 2026**. The story follows Meenu (Vismaya Mohanlal) as she battles a stalker after a good‑deed goes sideways, showcasing her Muay Thai training in a gritty showdown. The film also features a cameo by Mohanlal himself and marks the acting debut of Ashish Joe Antony, son of producer Antony Perumbavoor. Directed by Jude Anthany Joseph, the movie is produced by Aashirvad Cinemas with music by Jakes Bejoy.

My Take: Stakes, Surprises, and Some Skepticism

Let’s start with Tulsa King. Stallone’s return to TV isn’t just a novelty; it’s a bold gamble for Paramount+. The show’s premise—an ex‑mobster trying to legitimize his empire in the heartland—has always walked a fine line between gritty drama and over‑the‑top swagger. Season 4’s promise of “crushing personal loss” could finally give the series the emotional depth it’s been flirting with. The real intrigue, though, is the behind‑the‑scenes shuffle. Terence Winter’s return might restore the series’ original tone, but losing Dave Erickson could also mean a tonal whiplash. I’m cautiously optimistic: if the writing leans back into the noir roots that made season 1 compelling, we could see Stallone finally shedding the “action‑movie‑dad” vibe for something more layered. If not, we risk another season of “more explosions, less substance.”

Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn feels like a love letter to an era that never got to exist. A 30‑year development saga is both a badge of honor and a warning sign—sometimes passion projects become relics. The decision to stick with pure keyframe animation in a market dominated by motion‑capture hybrids is admirable, but also risky. Audiences have grown accustomed to hyper‑realistic movement; pure keyframe can look either artful or dated, depending on execution. The $150 million budget suggests Netflix is betting big, likely hoping the film’s “sci‑fi noir” vibe will attract both adult animation fans and nostalgic cinephiles. If Bird can deliver a story that feels as fresh as the concept, we might witness a resurgence of adult‑oriented, hand‑crafted animation on streaming platforms. If the visual style feels like a museum piece, the hype will fizzle faster than a low‑budget superhero sequel.

As for Asur season 3, the shift in directorial reins is the most interesting development. Oni Sen gave the series its signature visual flair, but Gaurav Shukla’s background in writing and ad‑film direction could inject a tighter narrative focus. The series has always thrived on the blend of Indian mythology and procedural thriller, and expanding the mythic scope while deepening psychological conflict sounds promising. However, three years between seasons is a long gap for any show; the risk is that the momentum built by the 2023 second season could dissipate. JioHotstar’s commitment to a mid‑2027 launch shows confidence, but the platform will need to re‑engage viewers with strong marketing. If Shukla can marry his storytelling chops with the series’ visual identity, season 3 could elevate “Asur” from cult hit to mainstream thriller staple.

Finally, Thudakkam is a fascinating case of cross‑generational branding. Vismaya Mohanlal, the daughter of Malayalam legend Mohanlal, stepping into a martial‑arts lead is both a bold move and a savvy marketing angle. The film’s premise—ordinary kindness spiraling into a deadly cat‑and‑mouse game—offers a fresh take on the genre, especially with authentic Muay Thai choreography. The inclusion of a cameo by Mohanlal himself is a nice nod to legacy fans, but the real test will be whether the film can stand on its own merits beyond the family name. Given the September 2026 OTT release on JioHotstar, the window is tight: the theatrical run ends in August, and the streaming debut follows a month later. That quick turnaround could capitalize on buzz, but it also risks audience fatigue if the theatrical reception is lukewarm.

Where to Catch These Titles (and How to Plan Your Binge)

If you’re a Paramount+ subscriber, mark your calendar for October 16 and queue up Tulsa King season 4. The platform offers a seven‑day free trial on its Premium tier, which also bundles Showtime and live CBS—useful if you want to sample the new season without committing long‑term.

Netflix fans should set a reminder for December 2026. While the exact day isn’t disclosed, the film will debut after a London Film Festival screening, so keep an eye on Netflix’s “New Releases” banner later that month. If you’re already on a Netflix plan, you won’t need any extra steps; just sit back and enjoy Bird’s keyframe‑only masterpiece.

For the Indian market, JioHotstar will be the home of both Asur season 3 (mid‑2027) and Thudakkam (starting September 18 2026). If you’re not already a subscriber, JioHotstar often runs promotional trials around major releases—watch for those to avoid paying full price before the shows drop.

In short, the next few months will be a marathon of premieres across three major platforms. My advice? Prioritize based on mood: crave gritty crime drama? Start with Tulsa King. Want a stylish, retro‑future detective story? Hold out for Ray Gunn. Crave myth‑infused thriller? Keep an eye on Asur season 3. And if you’re in the mood for high‑octane martial‑arts drama with a dash of family legacy, Thudakkam will be ready to stream in September. Grab your snacks, set those reminders, and enjoy the ride—because the streaming wars have never looked this eclectic.

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