Inside Jay Will’s Standout Role on Paramount+ Series ‘Tulsa King’
Outfit by CLARA SON
Shoes by QUE SHEBLEY
When asked to describe his co-star, Jay Will, Sylvester Stallone is full of praise. “He’s very gifted,” says Stallone in a recent interview with Paramount Plus. “He graduated from Juilliard college of acting, he’s like a serious pro.”
Starring alongside some heavy hitters, Will is proving he’s destined to be one too. “I’m at the front-row seat of how to do it,” he explains. “You know, how these legends make it happen. How these legends become legends. I mean, these things don’t come every day.”
Tulsa King, an American crime drama television series created by Taylor Sheridan, follows an Italian mobster who faces the task of reestablishing his Italian mafia family in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In this buzzed-about series, Will plays Tyson, the young driver who quickly becomes Dwight’s (played by the man himself, Sylvester Stallone) go-to guide around the city.
At just 27-years-old, Will is solidifying his footing in the film and entertainment landscape. He’s tackled many lead roles, starring in films such as Rob Peace and It Doesn’t Matter. And, impressively, he’s also a rapper and musician.
Will shares with PhotoBook Magazine that Tyson has helped him understand the value of self-trust and confidence in his skills. “Tyson was my doorway into a new chapter. He opened a lot of eyes to what I can do,” Will adds.
Full Look by Le Catou at The Confessional Showroom
Shirt by Kenneth Cole
Shoes by QUE SHEBLEY
There’s been a lot of growth in your character throughout Tulsa King. Where do you think Tyson is mentally as he looks ahead to what’s next?
Tyson’s in a crossroads moment. He’s starting to see the cost of every choice he makes, and he’s finally asking himself who he wants to become. He’s growing up fast.
Will we see more of a push and pull as Tyson navigates this commitment to mafia life and his relationship with his parents?
For sure. He’s torn between the world he comes from and the world he stepped into with Dwight. Both sides love him, but they want different futures for him. That’s where the tension lives.
Tyson talked about creating and living his own identity. Is that a theme you can relate to when it comes to your own career?
Absolutely. My whole career is about self-definition. Like Tyson, I’m carving my own lane and learning not to shrink myself to fit other people’s expectations.
Polo, Shirt and Denim Jacket by Lacoste
Pants by Scotch & Soda
In what ways did the relationship between Tyson and Manfredi deepen this season?
They see each other more clearly this season. It moves from mentorship to real mutual respect—two men learning from each other.
What is something your character has learned from Manfredi?
That real strength is quiet. Dwight’s resilience rubs off on him—he learns you can be tough without losing your humanity.
What does this character mean to you, and how do you feel that role has impacted your career? What’s the set energy like on set?
Tyson was my doorway into a new chapter. He taught me patience and presence, and he opened a lot of eyes to what I can do. The set energy is real love—supportive, focused, and fun.
Was there a particular insight or lesson you took away from working on Tulsa King that stays with you?
Trust your instincts. That show taught me to listen, to breathe, and to let the moment speak without forcing it.
What do you hope audiences keep in mind for Season 3?
Every character is fighting an internal battle. If you watch with that lens, the season hits on a deeper level.
Left:
Outfit by CLARA SON
Shoes by QUE SHEBLEY
Right:
Polo, Shirt and Denim Jacket by Lacoste
Pants by Scotch & Soda
Shoes by VETEMENTS
CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Jay Will
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: Michael Creagh
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon at Exclusive Artists
Groomer: Luis Guillermo using Oribe + Charlotte Tilbury
Fashion Stylist Intern: Laura Pico
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Introduction by Brya Sheridan, Assistant to Editor-in-Chief, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Eliana Estes, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
RELATED STORIES
