NOLA King brings Samuel L. Jackson to the Big Easy

The Paramount+ powerhouse continues expanding Taylor Sheridan’s criminal empire, trading Oklahoma’s sprawling plains for Louisiana’s sultry streets. Samuel L. Jackson steps into his first television series headlining role with NOLA King, a spinoff mirroring the fish-out-of-water formula that made Tulsa King a breakout sensation.

Sylvester Stallone’s mobster drama proved that relocating hardened criminals to unfamiliar territory creates compelling television. Dwight Manfredi’s transformation from imprisoned New York mafioso to Tulsa’s unlikely crime lord captured audiences with its culture clash and criminal ambition. Now the franchise extends southward, bringing Jackson’s considerable screen presence to New Orleans’ complex underworld.

Building a Criminal Dynasty

Paramount+ officially confirmed the series in July 2025, revealing that Jackson portrays Russell Lee Washington Jr., a character introduced in Tulsa King‘s third season. The strategic setup allows viewers to invest in Washington’s journey before he claims center stage in the Big Easy.

The story follows Washington after the Renzetti crime family dispatches him to Tulsa with deadly instructions: eliminate Dwight Manfredi. The two men share history, having forged bonds during a decade-long federal prison sentence. Rather than following through with the assassination, Washington finds inspiration in Manfredi’s unexpected success building a criminal operation in unfamiliar surroundings.

That revelation sparks Washington’s decision to return to New Orleans, a city he abandoned four decades earlier. The homecoming promises complications as he attempts reconnecting with estranged family members while simultaneously establishing control over the city’s criminal landscape. His ambitions inevitably draw retaliation from his former New York employers and reignite conflicts with established New Orleans adversaries, both criminal and law enforcement.

Jackson Enters the Sheridan Universe

The casting represents a significant milestone for the celebrated actor. Jackson’s career spans decades of iconic performances, from his Oscar-nominated turn in Pulp Fiction to his recurring role as Nick Fury throughout Marvel’s cinematic universe. Yet television series work remained an unconquered frontier until now. His recent small-screen appearances included Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist and reprising Nick Fury for Disney+, but NOLA King marks his first ongoing lead role.

During a summer conversation with Collider, Jackson expressed enthusiasm about joining Sheridan’s expanding television portfolio, which includes Yellowstone and its offshoots, Mayor of Kingstown, and Landman. He noted maintaining a substantial watchlist of Sheridan productions, adding that he enjoyed Tulsa King before the spinoff opportunity emerged.

By November, during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Jackson advocated for authentic New Orleans filming locations, questioning why productions might choose cheaper alternatives over capturing the city’s genuine atmosphere and character.

From Tulsa to NOLA

The third season’s penultimate episode introduced Washington’s predicament. After completing an assignment for Quiet Ray, leader of the powerful Renzetti crime family, Washington receives orders targeting his old friend Dwight. His indebtedness to Quiet Ray eliminates any perceived choice.

Washington’s arrival in Tulsa confronts him with an impossible decision. The life debt owed to Manfredi—who saved him during their shared incarceration—prevents Washington from following through. This refusal triggers consequences, prompting Quiet Ray to dispatch replacement assassins tasked with eliminating both targets. The old friends collaborate to neutralize this threat, with Washington subsequently offering assistance in Manfredi’s ongoing conflict against local liquor baron Jeremiah Dunmire.

Following Dunmire’s demise, Washington contemplates his future. Witnessing Manfredi’s achievements inspires thoughts of returning to his roots and establishing something comparable in New Orleans. However, the Renzetti family’s pursuit remains active, making his return home simultaneously necessary and dangerous. Before departing, he extends an invitation to Manfredi’s crew should they visit the Big Easy, planting seeds for potential crossover storytelling.

Expanding the Franchise

NOLA King represents the first spinoff beyond Sheridan’s Yellowstone ecosystem, demonstrating Paramount+‘s confidence in Tulsa King‘s franchise potential. The parent series earned distinction as Paramount+’s top-performing global original throughout 2024, justifying expansion efforts.

Stallone described the spinoff as elevating the franchise beyond simple mob boss storytelling into something more family-driven and dynamic, emphasizing Jackson as the singular choice capable of anchoring the New Orleans narrative. The production benefits from executive production by Sheridan, Stallone, and Jackson, with MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios handling production duties.

Production planning targets February 2026 for principal photography, though no premiere date has been announced. The casting remains incomplete beyond Jackson’s confirmed lead role, though James Russo’s Quiet Ray will likely cast shadows across the spinoff as the Renzetti crime family’s reach extends from New York to Oklahoma and presumably into Louisiana.

Washington’s Journey

Washington emerges as a multifaceted protagonist navigating several simultaneous conflicts. His relationship with the Renzetti family remains antagonistic following his refusal to kill Manfredi, making him hunted by his former employers. Returning to New Orleans exposes him to old enemies he left behind decades ago. Attempting reconnection with family after four decades compounds these external threats with personal complications.

The character shares thematic DNA with Manfredi while maintaining distinct circumstances. Both men seek reinvention after long absences and must navigate the tension between their violent pasts and potential futures. However, Washington returns to familiar territory rather than exploring completely foreign ground, adding layers of nostalgia, regret, and unfinished business that distinguish his journey.

His aging hitman persona suggests someone who has spent a lifetime executing orders rather than issuing them. The transition from foot soldier to potential kingpin requires different skills and mindsets. Washington must learn to build organizations, negotiate alliances, and think strategically rather than simply completing assignments. The family angle elevates the narrative beyond typical crime drama territory into something more emotionally resonant.

As Paramount+ expands Sheridan’s empire, NOLA King faces expectations of matching or exceeding Tulsa King‘s success. Jackson’s considerable screen presence provides a strong foundation, but whether Washington successfully claims New Orleans—and whether audiences embrace Jackson’s television debut with the same enthusiasm they’ve shown for his film work—remains uncertain until the series finally makes its debut against the Big Easy’s dangerous backdrop.

Source: Entertainment Weekly