On Our Streaming Radar this week, three shows return for new seasons, and all three have earned a spot on the watchlist.
TULSA KING — SEASON FOUR
Sylvester Stallone might be 80 years old, but he is still the man. Fifty years after audiences first met Rocky Balboa, he is still giving us something to talk about around whatever passes for a water cooler in 2026.
Tulsa King has been that show. Created by Taylor Sheridan, the series lets Stallone put his star power to work as mobster Dwight Manfredi, a man whose intimidation factor is matched by his ability to make you laugh.
Dwight has his crew back together for season four, along with a romantic partner and connections in the governor’s office. All seems to be going well in Tulsa. That lasts about as long as you would expect.
An early surprise sets off a chain of events that might make Dwight rethink his Oklahoma residency. I will leave the specifics alone, because this season deserves the chance to catch you off guard.
Bigfoot, Tyson, Bodhi and the rest are still gelling and as funny as ever. Their chemistry remains a huge part of the appeal. Robert Davi, whom you might remember from The Goonies, joins the mix as Bartolomeo Turco, an associate of Quiet Ray who is absolutely nuts. In a show populated by dangerous people, he manages to stand out.
Data farming also becomes part of the story, adding another modern complication to Dwight’s efforts to run his enterprise. This time, trouble is coming from both the streets and the government.
Having watched all ten episodes, I think Season 4 improves on season three and comes closest to recapturing what made the first season work. The threats give the story momentum, but the show still leaves room for the personalities that made us enjoy this unlikely crew in the first place.
Stallone still owns the screen, and Season 4 gives his entire crew room to shine.
It is a strong, solid season with a superb cast and a story that kept me locked in through the finale. A fifth season has already been announced. After this outing, I am happy to keep following Dwight wherever he goes.
Tulsa King Season 4 premieres Friday, October 16, on Paramount+.
THE DIPLOMAT — SEASON FOUR
Also returning this week is The Diplomat, from the incomparable Debora Cahn.
Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell return as Kate and Hal Wyler, the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom and the vice president, respectively. Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford, both alumni of Aaron Sorkin’s The West Wing, play President Grace Penn and her husband, Todd.
Tensions between the two couples are higher than ever. An attack on a high-ranking government figure sends the season swirling into major geopolitical problems, but the thing I find strongest about The Diplomat remains its interpersonal relationships.
Cahn makes the blending of those relationships with policy discussion and government maneuvering look effortless. I am sure it is quite difficult. These people can be trying to prevent an international crisis while also trying to win an argument with their spouse, and neither part of the conversation feels secondary.
The Diplomat makes a marital argument every bit as gripping as an international crisis.
Season 4 finds a show settled into what it does best. The writing is sharp, and Russell remains a dynamo, making Kate’s intelligence and frustration equally compelling. The rest of the cast keeps pace, with Whitford frequently providing the biggest laughs.
If you have not gotten into The Diplomat, start streaming. This is a show you need to see from episode one to fully appreciate the dynamics at play. The history between these people is what makes their latest arguments, alliances and betrayals matter.
The Diplomat Season 4 begins streaming Thursday, October 15, on Netflix.
THE RAINMAKER — SEASON TWO
Finally, The Rainmaker is back for a second season. Milo Callaghan, Lana Parrilla, P.J. Byrne and company return as my favorite little-guy legal team taking on the big dogs.
Based on John Grisham’s novel, showrunner Michael Seitzman’s adaptation spent nearly a decade in development before reaching television. Now, its second season arrives just over a year after its first.
When I spoke with Byrne, he made an interesting observation: sometimes a show’s second season can be better because the rhythms and character dynamics are already established. The actors know these people, and the writers are now writing with their voices in mind. Everybody has more room to play.
It is a keen observation, and it is at work here. The familiarity between these performers helps the humor land and makes the team feel like people who actually spend their days together. That matters in a show where rooting for the lawyers is as important as following the case.
The Rainmaker is the best show USA Network has put together in the last decade.
It is sharp, funny and highly bingeable, but it is also nice to watch week to week—a little treat waiting for you every seven days. There is something satisfying about a show that makes you look forward to Friday.
It was one of my favorite shows last season, and it remains one of my favorites this year. If you have not watched The Rainmaker yet, what are you waiting for?
Catch up on Season 1 on Peacock before season two premieres Friday, October 16, at 9 p.m. Central on USA Network.
