‘Tulsa King’ Star Martin Starr on Bodhi's Evolving Role and Shared Grief

In the latest season of Paramount+'s "Tulsa King," Martin Starr's character, Bodhi Geigerman, delves into a deeper, more vulnerable dimension as he grapples with the potential loss of Margaret Devereaux (Dana Delany) alongside Dwight Manfredi (Sylvester Stallone). The revelation of Bodhi's own past tragedy—the loss of his wife and daughter in a car crash—provides a new layer to his relationship with Dwight.

"It was something that we toyed with revealing earlier in the show," Starr said, reflecting on the timing of Bodhi's backstory reveal. He explained that he and showrunner Terence Winter initially discussed the evolving dynamic between Dwight and Bodhi, envisioning a mentor-mentee relationship. "It’s really interesting to see their roles shift briefly after the plane crash," Starr noted. "Bodhi wants to be a guide for Dwight when he’s struggling."

The Season 4 premiere delivered a significant shock with the news that the plane carrying Margaret and Oklahoma Governor Cal Thresher (Neal McDonough) had crashed. While Dwight struggles to outwardly process the news, Bodhi emerges as the one character who truly understands his pain.

Starr shared insights into filming an emotional scene with Stallone, describing the veteran actor as "generous" and open to improvising on set. "He tends to play with the words on the day," Starr said. "As much as he is helping to create the show from the ground up, he’s also been very involved in the writing since the beginning of the series."

Starr also touched upon Bodhi's character evolution over the seasons, noting his transition from a timid, introverted marijuana shop owner to a key player in Dwight's expanding criminal enterprises. Bodhi, often the strategist behind their ventures, is increasingly being pushed to the forefront.

"Dwight has his thumb on everybody in certain ways," Starr explained when asked what keeps Bodhi tied to Dwight's crew beyond their business partnership. "He also provides safety. If you leave him, you’re now in harm’s way a bit. Staying safe and, of course, the financial benefits are both big factors in Bodhi staying put."

Beyond his primary role, Starr noted Bodhi's discerning palate, evident in his quick identification of counterfeit wine. He speculated that this sharpness might stem from an on-spectrum cognitive style that allows for intense focus.

Starr also praised his castmates, particularly Rhys Coiro, who plays Lenny, mentioning their prior collaboration and good on-set chemistry. He expressed particular enjoyment in scenes with Jay Will (Tyson) and McKenna Harrington (Grace), observing their growth and increasing confidence throughout the series. Starr, who has been on "Tulsa King" for multiple seasons, a rarity in his career, finds satisfaction in watching younger actors develop their abilities within the show's dynamic environment.