Garrett Hedlund charms on and off the screen, and in his latest role as Mitch on Tulsa King, he’s no exception.
Mitch, the former rodeo rider and bar owner, brings a grounded yet aspirational energy to the ensemble led by Sylvester Stallone.
Sitting down with Garrett via 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 eagerly teamed up with Dwight, he offered a layered perspective.
“Mitch was getting by… He was living a safe life, paying his dues because of some past mess-ups,” Garrett explains, revealing Mitch’s more vulnerable side.
Yet, Mitch always had an undercurrent of ambition, one waiting 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 by the end, hopefully achieving a little more happiness.”
That last part lingers because it’s clear Mitch’s motivation isn’t just about wealth or thrills — it’s about seeking something deeper.
“I think Mitch was really waiting for somebody like Dwight to come into his life to say that this wasn’t it. This wasn’t all it had to be.”
Garrett’s words suggest Mitch is driven by a sense of restlessness. He has settled into a routine but knows life has more to offer. While Mitch isn’t entirely reckless, he’s looking for opportunities that push him out of his comfort zone.
That might explain why he’s quick to support Dwight’s less-than-legal endeavors. “They both have ties to prison life,” Garrett adds, pointing out their similarities.
Mitch might 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 Tulsa King’s kindred spirits.
“Mitch, having been a rodeo rider, a bull rider, and songwriter, just lends itself 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 inserts himself when he feels he can be of service; he inserts himself when he considers himself capable,” Garrett says thoughtfully.
“And other than that, he can stand on the sidelines for things that don’t concern him.”
Mitch seems to have perfected a balance of involvement and self-preservation. He’s there when needed, but he’s smart enough not to get entangled in every little problem — and plenty of those go around.
One of the fun aspects of Tulsa King is watching the chaos Dwight unintentionally brings with him. Garrett couldn’t help but chuckle when we mentioned it: “Look, I guess wherever Dwight goes, this sort of cloud of chaos certainly surrounds 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 be on quite the journey with Dwight this season because it certainly doesn’t end. The new obstacles and opportunities just keep unfolding.”
Speaking of obstacles, Season 2 brings in some heavy hitters — Frank Grillo and Neal McDonough join the Tulsa King cast, and Garrett couldn’t be more excited about the dynamic they bring to the table.
“It decorates [the show] wonderfully,” Garrett says. “Grillo and Neal McDonough are fantastic people, fantastic actors. Such wonderful additions… It adds more tension, drama, more risk, and you get to see how Dwight and the crew end up navigating through this.”
It’s not just the new faces that will change things — Garrett will get to share more of his musical side in Season 2. For those who remember the Tulsa King Season 1 finale, Mitch got to flex his musical chops, and Garrett confirms we’ll get a bit more of that coming up.
“There’s a bit sprinkled throughout,” he teases, though he’s careful not to overpromise. “You never really know what stays in there, but yeah, it’s nice to get up and sing for the peeps once in a while.”
Fans of Garrett’s own music might wonder if we’ll see any of his original work on the show, but Garrett jokes that it’s not exactly a match for the high-energy vibe of Tulsa King.
“Now I’m starting to wonder if I have any songs that are celebratory enough… I don’t have anything comparable to ZZ Top’s ‘Tush,’” he laughs.
Despite the lighthearted moments, there’s always a simmering tension in Tulsa King, and that tension might get cranked up this season if a rat is revealed within the ranks. While Garrett doesn’t spill any spoilers, he agrees that such a betrayal could upend everything for Dwight’s crew.
“There’s no drama without conflict,” Garrett points out, and the audience craves that sense of danger. “You want to be kept on the edge of your seat… wondering what’s going to unfold and happen to somebody.”
It’s what makes Tulsa King so compelling — you care about these characters, even as you worry that someone might slip up and betray the whole group.
As our conversation wound down, Garrett was still riding high on his excitement for the new season. “I’m really proud of this season,” he says. “I think the audience has something they’re going to thoroughly enjoy … A lot of heartwarming moments as well as big explosions. It does not disappoint.”
Before signing off, we threw in one last playful question — if Garrett could play any character on 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 quick-witted, humorous answer that reminds us why Garrett is so beloved, both on and off-screen.
Tulsa King Season 2 Episode 1 premiered with stellar numbers, and it’s no surprise. It’s clear the sophomore season will continue delivering more of the drama, heart, and action fans have come to expect, and Garrett Hedlund’s Mitch will be right there in the thick of it.
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