Season 2 of Tulsa King is back, and Tatiana Zappardino, who portrays Tina Manfredi, Dwight Manfredi’s daughter, shares her experience, character insights, and what fans can expect from this thrilling continuation. Here are the highlights from our recent interview with Tatiana on Pop Culture Unplugged.
Excitement for Season 2
Tatiana couldn’t hide her excitement about the return of Tulsa King. “I was really excited to have everyone see it,” she shared. “Especially with the strike delaying filming, it feels like it’s been a long time since Season 1. But it worked out perfectly for me because I became a mom during that time.” The quick turnaround for Season 2 has been a whirlwind, but Tatiana expressed how rewarding it’s been to see the series come to life again.
Booking the Role of Tina Manfredi
When asked how she landed the role, Tatiana described a fairly traditional process, with a surprising twist. “I got extra notes before I even filmed it, which was kind of interesting,” she recalled. “I think they were really looking for the right Tina. When I did the audition, it felt so natural. I memorized the lines faster than I ever have before because it just flowed.” After sending in her audition tape, she received a call the very next day confirming she had booked the role.
Meeting Sylvester Stallone for the First Time
Tatiana shared her surreal experience of meeting Sylvester Stallone, who plays her father, Dwight Manfredi, in the show. “He FaceTimed me for the first time to let me know how excited he was to work with me,” she said. “It felt like, wow, this guy took time out of his day just to talk to me. It really showed his character right from the start.” Tatiana noted that Stallone’s involvement with the cast and the show’s production left a lasting impression on her.
The Evolving Father-Daughter Relationship
A central theme of Tulsa King is the evolving relationship between Tina and her father, Dwight. Tatiana elaborated on how this dynamic changes in Season 2: “There’s a lot less animosity this season. In Season 1, there was a lot of resentment from Tina because her father had left her. This season, it’s more about them getting to know each other again.” Tina is still trying to find her place in Dwight’s world, but their interactions have become more playful and familial.
Challenges and Character Development
Discussing the challenges she faced in portraying Tina, Tatiana emphasized how natural it felt working with Stallone. “He’s a very easy partner to work with. He’s present and focused on connecting with his scene partner,” she said. “The tension scenes in Season 1 felt very real, and we didn’t have to force anything.” As for Tina’s journey, Tatiana revealed that her character is still in the process of finding herself. “Tina is in denial right now, going through the motions. She’s hiding behind a smile and focusing on her children to avoid dealing with her emotions.”
What Tatiana Hopes for Tina’s Future
When asked if there’s anything she would change about her character, Tatiana didn’t hesitate. “I hope Tina becomes less of a motherly figure and more of a force to be reckoned with,” she expressed. “I want her to eventually take over and become part of the mob. I’d love to see her evolve into a more badass, powerful character.”
The Bond with Dwight’s Gang
Tatiana admitted that she’s a big fan of Bodie, one of Dwight’s gang members. “I love his dry snark and rebellious nature,” she shared. “He goes along with whatever Dwight says, but you can see a bit of rebellion in him.”
What’s Next for Tatiana Zappardino?
While Tatiana currently doesn’t have any other projects lined up, she’s been focusing on writing her own material. “I believe we shouldn’t just wait for opportunities to come. We should make our own,” she said. Her dream is to follow in the footsteps of Sylvester Stallone and create her own path in the industry.
Where to Watch ‘Tulsa King’ Season 2
Catch Tatiana Zappardino as Tina Manfredi in Tulsa King Season 2, airing every Sunday. You can keep up with Tatiana on Instagram at @tatianaszapardinoTS.
Stay tuned to Pop Culture Unplugged for more exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes insights!