Samuel L. Jackson NOLA King is set to launch on Paramount+, spotlighting Jackson as Russell Lee Washington Jr., a veteran hitman striving for a new life in New Orleans while evading the New York mob. This spin-off emerges in the aftermath of Tulsa King’s third season, marking a new chapter for crime drama fans captivated by series creator Taylor Sheridan’s distinctive style.
Samuel L. Jackson Returns to TV in NOLA King
The remarkable popularity of Sylvester Stallone’s Tulsa King demonstrated the dramatic draw of placing a familiar figure in an unfamiliar setting. On that foundation, Paramount+ moves forward with NOLA King, following in the footsteps of its predecessor and bringing Samuel L. Jackson into the Sheridan universe.
Tulsa King, a Taylor Sheridan creation for Paramount+, positioned Stallone as Dwight Manfredi, an aging gangster relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma, after decades behind bars. There, he assembles a new crew from locals and former mafiosos amidst clashing cultures and criminal ambitions. This formula proved so persuasive that a New Orleans spinoff became inevitable, drawing on the city’s unique history and complexity for dramatic potential.
NOLA King was initially teased in 2024 by executive producer Terence Winter, with Jackson officially attached by June 2025. Paramount+ soon confirmed that the character of Russell Lee Washington Jr. would debut in Tulsa King’s third season before taking center stage in the spinoff.
The Plot: An Aging Hitman Starts Over in New Orleans
NOLA King follows Russell Lee Washington Jr., a professional hitman reaching his twilight years who seeks to begin again in New Orleans. Though Washington grew up in the city, he has not set foot there in over forty years, making his return fraught with personal and professional risks as he grapples with tradition versus progress. As reflected in the official synopsis,
“Inspired by what Dwight created in Tulsa and impressed with the possibilities of second chances, Washington returns to New Orleans, the home he abandoned forty-years ago, to rekindle his relationship with his family and friends, and to take control of the city he left behind,”
reads the official series description. In doing so,
“he incurs the wrath of his former employers in New York, and makes himself vulnerable to old NOLA foes, both criminal and cop.”
Sylvester Stallone commented on the show’s ambition, stating,
“beyond a mob boss series, creating a dynamic, family-driven franchise,”
and emphasizing,
“Sam Jackson is the only choice to anchor this new adventure in NOLA.”
– Sylvester Stallone, Actor/Producer
This narrative ensures both familial drama and conflict with past enemies, promising intense confrontations grounded in New Orleans’ storied backdrop.
How NOLA King Emerges from Tulsa King
Russell Lee Washington Jr. entered Tulsa King during its third season, quickly making a dramatic impression. In a pivotal episode, Washington is hired by Quiet Ray, leader of the Renzetti crime syndicate, to execute Dwight, supposedly repaying an unescapable debt. However, old loyalties entwine: Dwight saved Washington’s life during their time in prison, complicating the hitman’s assignment.
Choosing not to kill Dwight puts Washington at odds with Quiet Ray and attracts further danger. As a result, more assassins descend on Tulsa, targeting both men. Working together, Washington and Dwight outmaneuver their pursuers, and Washington steps in to support Dwight in his ongoing feud with Jeremiah Dunmire, a dominant local figure. Once Dunmire is eliminated, Washington reflects on his next move:
“Seeing what you’ve done here makes me want to go back to New Orleans and maybe start something new,”
– Samuel L. Jackson as Russell Lee Washington Jr.
“If the General can do it, how hard could it be?”
– Samuel L. Jackson as Russell Lee Washington Jr.
With the Renzetti family pursuing him, Washington’s embrace of New Orleans is laced with both opportunity and threat, hinting at crossovers and ongoing ties to Tulsa King.
Samuel L. Jackson on Joining the Sheridan Universe
In summer conversations with Collider, Samuel L. Jackson expressed his enthusiasm for working with Taylor Sheridan, joining a stable of interconnected Paramount+ shows that includes Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown, and Landman. Jackson highlighted his admiration for the breadth of Sheridan’s storytelling, sharing,
“At least 15 of those shows are on my watchlist all the time, so I’m really happy to be in that universe,”
– Samuel L. Jackson, Actor. He admitted to having enjoyed Tulsa King even before being approached about the spinoff, stating,
“I watched Tulsa King, and I liked it even before that idea came up.”
– Samuel L. Jackson, Actor
During early development, even Jackson was in the dark about specifics, but his anticipation was clear:
“I don’t know anything about it, but I do know that I’m very anxious to jump into it and find out what it’s going to be,”
– Samuel L. Jackson, Actor
Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live in November 2025, Jackson expressed a strong preference for the show to film in its titular city, noting,
“Why you tryin’ to work cheap?”
– Samuel L. Jackson, Actor, referencing production incentives and local authenticity. He added, Let’s go to New Orleans!
Who Will Join Jackson in the Cast?
While the complete cast has yet to be announced, Samuel L. Jackson is confirmed as the lead, marking his first headlining television role. Much like Stallone’s leap from film to TV in Tulsa King, Jackson’s involvement signals a growing trend of major Hollywood stars seeking more developed, long-form character arcs.
Stallone commented on this shift, stating,
“I guess he got to the point that I did that he’s done pretty much everything,”
– Sylvester Stallone, Actor. He elaborated,
“But at this age in life, you want to be a little bit more grounded, steady, have your own show so you develop this thing, really flesh it out instead of working someplace for 10 days or a gig here and there.”
– Sylvester Stallone, Actor
While no additional names are linked to the series at this stage, the established rivalry between Washington and Quiet Ray, as well as the potential for crossovers with Tulsa King characters like Dwight and the Renzetti crime family, suggests a rich ensemble and complex storylines ahead.
Production Timeline and Series Release Plans
A specific premiere date for NOLA King has not been disclosed. However, industry reporting from July 2025 indicates that filming is targeted for a February 2026 start. As is common with major series launches, the show is expected to draw attention for its high-profile lead, ties to the expanding universe created by Taylor Sheridan, and its exploration of power and redemption in a mythic version of New Orleans.
The Significance of NOLA King for Paramount+ and Crime Drama
NOLA King stands as an anticipated addition for fans of crime narratives, Sheridan’s storytelling, and television events starring heavyweight actors. By focusing on a character like Russell Lee Washington Jr.—a hitman contending with age, regrets, and a dangerous past—viewers can expect intense character development and intricate plotting rooted in both family dynamics and criminal rivalries.
The show’s connection to Tulsa King and the broader Sheridan universe suggests further interconnected stories and the return of familiar faces, enticing both returning and new audiences. Samuel L. Jackson heading a series in this vein represents a significant milestone, and his portrayal is expected to anchor the complex, layered themes at the heart of the series. As production moves forward, more details about casting and storyline will likely emerge, building anticipation for what could become another flagship series for Paramount+.
