Samuel L. Jackson starring in Taylor Sheridan’s NOLA King has been announced, with the renowned actor taking on the lead role in the newest addition to Sheridan’s lineup of crime series. The upcoming show, ‘NOLA King,’ will serve as a spin-off of the popular Paramount+ drama ‘Tulsa King,’ making its entry into Sheridan’s expanding television universe.
Jackson, long celebrated for his impressive filmography, will step into the role of Russell Lee Washington Jr., a character set to dominate the New Orleans underworld. The news places Jackson alongside a cadre of major stars who have joined Taylor Sheridan’s slate of television projects in recent years, further elevating anticipation around ‘NOLA King.’
Sheridan’s Television World Continues to Grow
The creative world built by Taylor Sheridan, known for intertwining crime sagas and rural dramas, has proved popular with audiences and critics alike. ‘NOLA King’ will expand this shared universe by focusing on a new crime boss moving into New Orleans, distinct from its Tulsa predecessor.
This series arises shortly after ‘Tulsa King’ gained momentum, developed as part of the continuous effort by Paramount+ and executive Chris McCarthy, President and CEO of Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios, to grow the property further. The showrunner for both ‘Tulsa King’ and ‘Mayor of Kingstown,’ Dave Erickson, will transition to helm ‘NOLA King’ specifically, bringing his experience from previous Sheridan-led productions.
According to reports, production for ‘NOLA King’ is poised to start in February, after Jackson completes his scenes intended to bridge the two series within ‘Tulsa King.’
An Overview of ‘Tulsa King’
The original show, ‘Tulsa King,’ stars Sylvester Stallone as Dwight Manfredi, a New York mob capo. Following a long prison term, Manfredi is exiled to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he’s forced to build a new criminal empire from scratch, supported by an unconventional group of allies. The series highlights themes of displacement and loyalty, as Dwight seeks power in unfamiliar territory.
‘Tulsa King’ achieved record-breaking views for Paramount+ during the launch of its second season, with over 21 million viewers reported globally. The show’s critical and commercial success set the stage for extending the narrative into related projects, such as ‘NOLA King.’
The Story Behind ‘NOLA King’
In ‘NOLA King,’ Samuel L. Jackson will portray Russell Lee Washington Jr., who makes his way to New Orleans to oversee a criminal syndicate. The premise continues Sheridan’s tradition of exploring crime dynasties in American cities, though this time shifting the focus to the vibrant and complex backdrop of Louisiana.
This new storyline aims to offer a fresh perspective on power struggles, survival, and reinvention, mirroring the challenges faced by Stallone’s character in the parent series. The creative development of ‘NOLA King’ originated from Chris McCarthy’s goal to expand on ‘Tulsa King’ in a similar vein to the ‘Yellowstone’ franchise, with interconnected but independent storylines.
Jackson’s Expansive Slate of Projects
Even with his role in ‘NOLA King,’ Samuel L. Jackson remains active in a variety of film and television productions. He has recently taken part in the post-apocalyptic film ‘Afterburn,’ where he joins Dave Bautista in a world set ten years after a solar flare disrupts global technology. Jackson’s character, Valentine, is a freedom fighter involved in a quest for the Mona Lisa amid a harsh, mutated wilderness and dangerous adversaries.
The movie features an ensemble cast, including Dave Bautista as Jake and other prominent figures, but is currently awaiting a confirmed release.
Jackson is also among the cast of J.J. Abrams’ new event film, alongside Glen Powell, Jenna Ortega, and Emma Mackey, though most details about the project remain undisclosed. In addition, he is a lead in Renny Harlin’s action thriller, ‘The Beast,’ where he portrays the President of the United States during a high-stakes coup attempt, relying on the advanced defenses of the specialized presidential vehicle for survival.
Jackson’s recent television roles include appearing in ‘Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist’ and voicing Nick Fury in Marvel’s ‘What If…?’ animated series. Already celebrated for his prolific contributions to the industry, Jackson was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2023 as the highest-grossing actor of all time, thanks to blockbuster roles in the ‘Avengers’ franchise, ‘Pulp Fiction,’ and ‘Jurassic Park.’ Across his career, he has amassed appearances in over 150 films.
Expected Release Timeline for ‘NOLA King’
Filming for Jackson’s bridging episodes in ‘Tulsa King’ is expected to conclude before the start of production for ‘NOLA King’ in early 2025. With these timelines, the anticipated premiere is expected in the latter months of 2026, pending no major production delays.
The arrival of this new series continues the tradition of closely interwoven storylines and high-profile casting within the Sheridan universe. Fans of Samuel L. Jackson starring in Taylor Sheridan’s NOLA King and those following the ‘Tulsa King’ legacy will be watching closely as the next chapter begins to take shape.
A Look at Other Taylor Sheridan Series
The ‘NOLA King’ project joins an established roster within Sheridan’s creative empire, featuring acclaimed and popular series such as:
1. ‘Yellowstone’ (2018)
2. ‘1883’ (2021)
3. ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ (2021)
4. ‘Tulsa King’ (2022)
5. ‘1923’ (2022)
6. ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ (2023)
7. ‘Lioness’ (2023)
8. ‘Landman’ (2024)
With each new title, Sheridan expands his reach and influence, experimenting with genre and character, while drawing accomplished talent into his ambitious television projects.
Discussing the Anticipated Impact of ‘NOLA King’
The announcement of Samuel L. Jackson starring in Taylor Sheridan’s NOLA King signals another significant moment for modern television crime dramas. Through his leading role and Sheridan’s proven storytelling formula, expectations are high for an engaging series that both builds upon its predecessor and sets a distinct tone.
As details continue to emerge, audiences are keen to see how Jackson’s portrayal of Russell Lee Washington Jr. will shape the depiction of organized crime in New Orleans, and whether the series will set new records or shift the genre in innovative directions.
