Garrett Hedlund dishes on Drama, Dwight and Downer Tunes in Tulsa King

Garrett Hedlund is charming on and off the screen, and in his latest role as Mitch in Tulsa King, he is no exception.

Mitch, the former rodeo rider and bar owner, brings a grounded yet ambitious energy to the ensemble led by Sylvester Stallone.

Sitting down with Garrett over Zoom, it’s easy to see why his portrayal of Mitch resonates with fans: he approaches the character with warmth and complexity.

When we asked Garrett why Mitch enjoyed working with Dwight, he offered a layered perspective.

“Mitch was able to get by… He lived a safe life and paid his dues because of some past mistakes,” Garrett explains, revealing Mitch’s more vulnerable side.

Yet Mitch always had an undercurrent of ambition, one that waited for the right spark to ignite it. Enter Dwight Manfredi, Stallone’s larger-than-life mafia capo.

“Dwight came into the situation and introduced the idea of ​​more – achieving more money, achieving more danger and hopefully achieving a little more happiness towards the end.”

That last part sticks because it’s clear that Mitch’s motivation isn’t just about wealth or excitement – it’s about searching for something deeper.

“I think Mitch was really waiting for someone like Dwight to come into his life to say this wasn’t it. This wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.”

Garrett’s words suggest that Mitch is driven by a sense of restlessness. He has settled into a routine, but knows that life has more to offer. Although Mitch is not completely reckless, he looks for opportunities that push him out of his comfort zone.

That might explain why he’s quick to support Dwight’s less-than-legal efforts. “They both have ties to prison life,” Garrett added, noting their similarities.

Mitch may be a good guy at heart, but he’s no stranger to bad decisions. He and Dwight have a shared understanding that brings them together as the kindred spirits of Tulsa King.

“Mitch, who has been a rodeo rider, bull rider and songwriter, just lends himself to being one of Dwight’s capable go-tos within the crew of misfits.”

As for whether Mitch is fully committed to Dwight’s crew, Garrett sees his character as someone who knows when to step up – and back. “He steps in when he thinks he can be of help; he joins in when he sees himself able to do so,” Garrett says thoughtfully.

“And furthermore, he can stand on the sidelines for matters that do not concern him.”

Mitch seems to have perfected the balance between commitment and self-preservation. He’s there when needed, but he’s smart enough not to get caught up in every little problem – and there are plenty of them.

One of the fun aspects of Tulsa King is watching the chaos that Dwight unintentionally brings with him. Garrett couldn’t help but chuckle when we said it, “Look, I think wherever Dwight goes, this kind of cloud of chaos is definitely surrounding him.”

It’s part of what makes Dwight so fascinating: no matter how bad things get, he always finds a way out, even if it’s by the skin of his teeth and a healthy dose of humor.

“You’re going to go on quite a journey with Dwight this season, because it certainly doesn’t end. The new obstacles and opportunities continue to unfold.”

Speaking of obstacles, Season 2 brings in some heavy hitters: Frank Grillo and Neal McDonough join the cast of Tulsa King, and Garrett couldn’t be more excited about the dynamic they bring.

“It adorns (the show) beautifully,” Garrett says. “Grillo and Neal McDonough are fantastic people, fantastic actors. What wonderful additions… It adds more tension, more drama and more risk, and you get to see how Dwight and the crew ultimately navigate this.”

It’s not just the new faces that will change things; Garrett will show more of his musical side in season 2. For those who remember the season 1 finale of Tulsa King, Mitch got to express his musical skills, and Garrett confirms that we will. get a little more of that.

“There’s a bit of a mess in there,” he teases, but he’s careful not to overpromise. “You never really know what’s in there, but hey, it’s fun to get up and sing to the peeps every now and then.”

Fans of Garrett’s own music may be wondering if we’ll see any of his original work on the show, but Garrett jokes that it doesn’t exactly fit with the energetic vibe of Tulsa King.

“Now I’m starting to wonder if I have songs that are festive enough… I don’t have anything similar to ZZ Top’s ‘Tush’,” he laughs.

Despite the lighthearted moments, there’s always a simmering tension in Tulsa King , and that tension could rise even further this season when a rat is revealed within the ranks. While Garrett isn’t spilling any spoilers, he agrees that such a betrayal could turn everything upside down for Dwight’s crew.

“There is no drama without conflict,” Garrett insists, and the audience craves that sense of danger. “You want to be left on the edge of your seat… wondering what’s going to happen next and what’s going to happen to someone.”

That’s what makes Tulsa King so compelling: you care about these characters, even as you fear someone will make a mistake and betray the entire group.

As our conversation ended, Garrett was still excited about the new season. “I’m really proud of this season,” he says. “I think the audience has something that they will really enjoy… Lots of heartwarming moments and big explosions. It doesn’t disappoint.”

Before we sign off, we asked one last playful question: If Garrett could play any character in Tulsa King other than Mitch, who would it be?

Without missing a beat, he replied with a grin, “The horse.” It’s the kind of smart, humorous response that reminds us why Garrett is so beloved, both on and off screen.

Tulsa King Season 2, Episode 1 premiered with some killer songs, and that’s no surprise. It’s clear that the second season will continue to deliver more of the drama, heart and action that fans have come to expect, and Garrett Hedlund’s Mitch will be right in the thick of it.

Watch Tulsa King online