Annabella Sciorra Worked With James Gandolfini On Sopranos And Sly Stallone On Tulsa King. So What’s It Like To Play Opposite Both As Mobsters?

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New fall television shows are starting to appear on the 2025 schedule, and this week’s biggest premiere is likely the start of Season 3 of Sylvester Stallone’s crime drama, *Tulsa King*. The show quickly became a streaming favorite on Paramount+, and I recently had the chance to speak with the cast about the challenges their characters will face in the new season, set in Oklahoma.

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I recently spoke with Annabella Sciorra, along with Jay Will and Martin Starr, and I was eager to hear about her work on their current show and her well-remembered role as Angie Bonpensiero on *The Sopranos*. It’s rare for an actor to appear in gangster stories alongside both Sylvester Stallone and the legendary James Gandolfini, and Sciorra has done just that.

When I asked Sciorra about her experiences working with two famous actors, she was understandably careful about discussing her former romantic partner, explaining:

It’s difficult to describe them both, but they were very different people. Jim, in particular, used to get really focused – almost worked himself up – when he was doing things. It’s hard for me to talk about Jim much, so I’ll just say they were very distinct personalities.

James Gandolfini, who sadly passed away in June 2013 at the age of 51 from a heart attack, is still adored by many fans. He’s remembered not only for his iconic and commanding portrayal of Tony Soprano, but for a career filled with compelling and often intense characters. As Lorraine Bracco pointed out, he fully immersed himself in the role, pushing himself to capture Tony’s volatile emotions. *The Sopranos* wasn’t a show about peaceful moments; it was a complex drama, and Tony and Angie rarely had simple, carefree scenes together.

Annabella Sciorra explained that while James Gandolfini was a very intense actor, Sylvester Stallone is quite different. She noted he’s skilled at carefully choosing his words to have the biggest effect, as she described it:

Sly is incredibly natural and charismatic. His voice feels deeply connected to his emotions, and he can make even a single word feel powerful and meaningful. It’s as if he doesn’t even need to try – or maybe he has his own way of preparing that we don’t know about.

When you think about the show *Tulsa King*, you might picture the lead actor getting into trouble – maybe even tossing minor criminals through bar windows. But the reality is likely much calmer than that.

Sciorra also noted how incredibly prepared Stallone is on set, going beyond just knowing his lines or actions as Dwight Manfredi. The seasoned actor, known for *Rocky*, has a complete understanding of everything, as Jay Will also pointed out.

  • ANNABELLA SCIORRA: I will say this: he knows his lines spot-on, and he knows everybody else’s lines in the scene.
  • JAY WILL: It’s annoying.
  • ANNABELLA SCIORRA: Super professional, spry, lot of energy. He’s fantastic to work with.

Martin Starr mentioned that Sylvester Stallone is remarkably familiar with not just his own lines, but also the developing stories of all the characters throughout the series. It seems Stallone has a clear vision for the show’s future, and as long as people continue to watch, Paramount+ will likely want to keep it going.

Paramount+ offers plans starting at $7.99 per month or $59.99 per year. You can choose the Essential plan or upgrade to the Premium plan for $12.99 a month to watch ad-free and access a larger library of content. An annual subscription offers a discount – you pay for 10 months but get 12. Enjoy shows like *Tulsa King* without a trip to Oklahoma!

The third season of *Tulsa King* begins streaming on Paramount+ on Sunday, September 21st, with new episodes released each week. The premiere episode, titled “Blood and Bourbon,” features a showdown between Sylvester Stallone and Robert Patrick, known for his roles in *Terminator 2* and *Peacemaker*. Fans won’t want to miss it!

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2025-09-19 20:09