Nickola Shreli
While the fourth season of hit Paramount+ series “Tulsa King” was just released, season five recently began filming in New York with Birmingham resident Nickola Shreli among the new cast members.
“Tulsa King” was created by Taylor Sheridan, who is the co-creator of the popular series “Yellowstone” and its prequels. The crime thriller features Sylvester Stallone, whose character is a New York mafia capo sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma, after 25 years in prison, where he builds a new criminal empire. In season five, Stallone’s character returns to New York.
“I never thought I’d be in New York filming with my hero, but here I am,” Shreli commented.
Born in Detroit and raised by his Albanian immigrant parents in Sterling Heights, Shreli attended Eisenhower High School where he got his start in the school’s theater program.
“I didn’t like school, so I escaped to the theater,” he explained. “I was a class clown, the only boy in the family and was influenced by my dad’s great sense of humor. My dad was not having it – he wanted me to ‘get a real job’ so I had to be careful how I approached it.”
He added, “Not until I had a body of work, was being paid and became credible did my dad come around and was proud.”
After high school, Shreli took the advice of an uncle in real estate and became a licensed appraiser. He did well and invested in rental properties. Since this career path offered flexibility and financial security, he was able to explore and train for a film career.
He started out in Detroit’s independent film scene and credits a number of people who helped him and influenced his career including Rich Goteri, a highly regarded local acting coach.
He had his first big experience on film when Eminem’s “8 Mile” was casting in Detroit: “About 1999 to 2005 was the brink of technology with artists and club kids converging in Hamtramck – it was the best of film, fashion and music…When the call came out for ‘8 Mile,’ I was part of Detroit hip hop circles and connected to Detroit’s street culture.”
Since then, Shreli has appeared in numerous TV and film projects including “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “Abduction,” Eli Roth's “Hostel” franchise, AMC's “Low Winter Sun,” and the Sundance Channel's “The Red Road.” Most recently he was in Starz’s “Power Book IV: Force.”
Through his Detroit-based company, Nickname Projects, he produces and collaborates on a variety of film projects.
A decade ago, Shreli wrote and starred in “Cash Only,” a critically acclaimed gritty crime drama about a landlord set in Detroit.
Shreli serves as writer, director and actor on his latest film project, “Broke English,” which is scheduled to be released this year. The film is inspired by his late father’s immigrant journey. “There’s a lot of my dad in it. I played multiple roles and had fun with it. There’s a cool general thread that, in America, everyone is acting like they’re somebody while they’re in the pursuit of belonging.”
As for his personal life, the Birmingham resident and his wife have two children. He is “a huge basketball fan” and enjoys attending Pistons games. He also loves watching documentaries, going to the gym and is a big music fan.
As for a career in the film industry, Shreli advised: “Everyone’s path is different. Stay up late, put in the research and effort. If there’s no seat at the table, make your own table.”
Story: Tracy Donohue
Photo: Laurie Tennent
