Taylor Sheridan’s crime show franchise is gearing up for expansion as the final episodes of Tulsa King’s third season introduce NOLA King, a new spinoff led by Samuel L. Jackson. Audiences will see Jackson’s character, a veteran hitman, set out to establish his own criminal empire in New Orleans, marking a significant new direction for Sheridan’s storytelling vision.
New Direction for Sheridan’s Franchise After Tulsa King
Tulsa King’s third season revitalized its narrative in the final two episodes, largely due to the arrival of Samuel L. Jackson as Russell Lee Washington Jr., an elite contract killer. Russell is originally dispatched to Tulsa by the Renzetti crime family boss, Quiet Ray—played by James Russo—to assassinate Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight Manifredi. However, upon seeing the scope of Dwight’s operation and recalling a past debt—Dwight once saved his life in prison—Russell hesitates, ultimately choosing not to follow through on the hit.
These closing episodes become a launchpad for NOLA King, the next installment in the Taylor Sheridan crime show franchise. Russell, inspired by Dwight’s success, decides to return to his hometown for the first time in over forty years. There, he intends to mirror Dwight’s achievements and build his own criminal network within New Orleans. The stage is set with high stakes: Russell faces threats from old adversaries, new city power players, and Quiet Ray, who is furious over his refusal to carry out the contract.
How ‘Tulsa King’ Connects to the NOLA King Spinoff
In the penultimate episode of season three, audiences are introduced to Russell Lee Washington Jr. as he prepares for an assignment in New Jersey. The hitman, dressed in a handyman’s uniform, swiftly eliminates his target, an act performed for Renzetti boss Quiet Ray. Soon after, he’s tasked with killing Dwight, a job he accepts reluctantly due to his obligations to Quiet Ray.
Russell’s uncertain loyalty adds layers of tension to his dynamic with Dwight. Rather than ambushing Dwight at the Bred2Buck, Russell confesses that Quiet Ray is behind a contract on his life. When Ray demands an update, Russell bluntly refuses to execute the hit. This act provokes an angry response from Quiet Ray, who threatens Russell—
Ya gonna pay for this, you son of a……
—James Russo, Quiet Ray. Russell remains unfazed, mirroring Jackson’s trademark calm and confidence.
This crucial choice forges a strong alliance between Russell and Dwight, stronger even than the bond Dwight created with Tyson over three seasons. Anticipating betrayal, Quiet Ray sends assassins to eliminate both men, but Dwight and Russell preemptively neutralize them. Their camaraderie intensifies as Russell offers to help battle rival liquor kingpin Jeremiah Dunmire, portrayed by Robert Patrick. After a fiery showdown, Russell contemplates 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, Russell Lee Washington Jr.
This pivotal declaration firmly links Tulsa King to its spinoff, ushering in the narrative bridge Sheridan uses to tee up NOLA King.
NOLA King Expands Sheridan’s World Beyond the Western
Taylor Sheridan, whose creative roots draw deep from his Texas upbringing and his mother’s passion for the cowboy lifestyle, has predominantly set his acclaimed productions within Western environments. Reflecting on this inspiration, Sheridan recalled:
learning firsthand about the peaceful feeling of freedom in nature.
—Sheridan, Writer/Producer. Sheridan’s early acting and producing career, from Walker, Texas Ranger to his time on Sons of Anarchy, cemented his reputation in the “neo-Western” genre.
The bulk of Sheridan’s TV successes, including Yellowstone, have centered on Western themes, but NOLA King represents a deliberate departure. Rather than wide-open landscapes and rural politics, the new series will immerse viewers in the vibrant, tense streets of New Orleans. With a cast more reflective of the city’s urban diversity, and a stronger focus on law enforcement, gang rivalries, and city decay, NOLA King is poised to deliver a distinct flavor compared to Sheridan’s previous work.
The transition will present a challenge; Sheridan’s Western series generally receive praise, while his detours—like Mayor of Kingstown and the early episodes of Lioness—draw more mixed reactions from critics. For NOLA King to flourish, Sheridan must capture the complexities of New Orleans’ criminal underworld with the same authenticity he’s brought to Western motifs, and invest time in researching its unique gang culture.
Fans can expect staples of the gangster genre: young rebels dreaming of power, seasoned veterans defending their status, glamorous settings, and the moral ambiguity that has made series like The Wire, Power, and Godfather of Harlem enduringly popular. Sheridan will need to avoid oversimplifying character morality, ensuring that cops and criminals alike operate in the story’s gray areas.
Samuel L. Jackson Brings Star Power and Experience
Sheridan’s trend of recruiting high-profile talent continues with Samuel L. Jackson, an actor whose résumé includes legendary roles in crime cinema such as Jules in Pulp Fiction, Stack Edwards in Goodfellas, and Ordell Robbie in Jackie Brown. Jackson’s casting as Russell Lee Washington Jr. signals a major draw for viewers and bolsters the show’s credibility in the crime drama arena.
Jackson’s enthusiasm for the role aligns with the passion his character brings to the screen. As he shared in a discussion with Collider,
“At least 15 of those shows are on my watchlist all the time, so I’m really happy to be in that universe. I watched Tulsa King, and I liked it even before that idea came up.”
—Samuel L. Jackson, Actor. This deep admiration for Sheridan’s work underlines Jackson’s commitment to joining the expanding Taylor Sheridan crime show franchise.
Though best known for his filmography, Jackson is no stranger to television, having led series such as Secret Invasion and The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey in recent years. Notably, Jackson’s performance as a commanding crime boss in Peacock’s Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist showcased his aptitude for intimidating authority and dramatic complexity—an indicator that he is well-suited to helm NOLA King.
As for supporting villains and allies, the details are still emerging. Based on Tulsa King’s final episodes, Quiet Ray and the Renzetti crime family are set up as antagonists eager to settle unfinished business with Jackson’s character. The timeline for the spinoff’s debut remains tentative; according to reports, production is set to start in February 2026, hinting at a likely premiere in late 2026.
What to Expect from NOLA King’s Cast and Storyline
NOLA King will feature Samuel L. Jackson taking center stage as Russell Lee Washington Jr., a seasoned hitman torn between his criminal past and the opportunity to wield power on his own terms in New Orleans. With key names such as Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight Manifredi, James Russo’s Quiet Ray, and Robert Patrick’s Jeremiah Dunmire leaving lasting marks in the Tulsa King universe, the cast’s interwoven histories are primed to shape the new story.
The spinoff’s plot will explore Russell’s attempts to adapt to the changed landscape of his hometown after four decades away, upending established alliances and igniting new conflicts. The familiar presence of the Renzetti crime family and the promise of fresh underworld figures hint at a complex web of loyalties, betrayals, and ambitious power plays to come.
With Taylor Sheridan at the helm and Samuel L. Jackson leading the cast, NOLA King stands as Sheridan’s boldest attempt yet to broaden his acclaimed franchise beyond Western sagas, inviting audiences to a new city and a new era for crime drama on television.
