From Nick Fury to NOLA King: Samuel L. Jackson’s Explosive Character Debut Cements Taylor Sheridan’s Next Empire
Samuel L. Jackson’s Shocking Arrival in Tulsa King Sets The Stage for His First-Ever TV Franchise
In a move that has simultaneously thrilled the streaming world and validated Taylor Sheridan’s status as a Hollywood power broker, cinematic legend Samuel L. Jackson has officially pivoted from global blockbuster icon to the new king of a television crime syndicate. The actor, best known for roles ranging from the philosophical hitman Jules Winnfield to the omnipresent Nick Fury, made his dramatic and highly anticipated debut this week as the foundational character for the next major television franchise: NOLA King.
Jackson’s character, the formidable Russell Lee Washington Jr., was introduced in a high-stakes, multi-episode arc beginning in Season 3, Episode 9 of Paramount+’s flagship series, Tulsa King. This appearance was not merely a cameo; it was a strategically placed, high-octane backdoor pilot designed to launch Jackson into his own headlining series, NOLA King, which is already greenlit and set to expand the Taylor Sheridan universe into the heart of New Orleans.
His arrival, timed perfectly just before the Season 3 finale, is being hailed as a major casting coup and a defining moment in the modern Streaming Wars, proving that A-list movie stars are now essential currency for building billion-dollar television franchises.
The Debut: Russell Lee Washington Jr. — Hitman Turned Ally
The introduction of Russell Lee Washington Jr. was pure dramatic genius, immediately showcasing Jackson’s signature blend of charisma and menace. Russell is a veteran mob enforcer with a deep, personal history with Tulsa King‘s protagonist, Dwight Manfredi (Sylvester Stallone).
The initial premise saw Russell tasked with the ultimate betrayal: he was sent by the New York Renzetti crime family to assassinate Dwight, a man he had befriended during a decade-long stint in federal prison. Their shared past, however, involves a life debt; Dwight is credited with once saving Russell’s life while they were behind bars.
Instead of pulling the trigger, Jackson’s character flipped the script. In a powerful, tense scene, Russell warned Dwight of the hit and, in a shocking yet satisfying turn, the two former inmates teamed up to eliminate the hitmen sent after them, ultimately solidifying a new, uneasy alliance.
This crucial narrative twist not only altered the power dynamics in Tulsa King‘s penultimate episode but also set the philosophical stage for NOLA King. Russell, inspired by the possibility of a second chance—a core theme of the Sheridan-verse’s crime dramas—decides against continuing a life of vengeance and opts to return to New Orleans.
Why This Is Jackson’s Most Important Role in Decades
For an actor whose filmography includes over 150 movie credits and is famously the highest-grossing actor of all time (excluding cameos), taking on a new cable television drama in his late 70s might seem like a late-career victory lap. However, NOLA King represents a significant and potentially transformative career move.
This marks the first time Samuel L. Jackson will be the sole lead and anchor of an ongoing, major television series. While he previously starred in the critically acclaimed limited series The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey and the Marvel Disney+ show Secret Invasion, these were short-run engagements. NOLA King is being built as the next flagship series for Paramount+, designed to run for multiple seasons and create a self-sustaining franchise, much like Yellowstone before it.
The critical comparison is inevitable. Sylvester Stallone’s turn in Tulsa King proved that a veteran cinematic heavyweight could successfully headline a streaming service’s top show. Jackson’s involvement is the next logical step, bringing his unparalleled global appeal and raw dramatic power to a medium that is now fully embracing cinematic storytelling. Paramount Global Co-CEO Chris McCarthy noted that Jackson’s star power is the perfect choice to maximize the momentum of the franchise and transform it into a major hit.
The Synergy with Sylvester Stallone
The on-screen chemistry between Jackson and Stallone, even in their limited joint scenes, has been the subject of much industry praise. Stallone himself acknowledged the challenge and excitement of sharing the screen with an actor of Jackson’s caliber, comparing their dynamic to a “fistfight between two boxers”—a battle and a blessing that yielded phenomenal results.
This joint venture elevates the Tulsa King universe beyond a single mob boss narrative into a shared criminal mythology. The introduction of Russell Lee Washington Jr. through an established relationship with Dwight Manfredi provides an organic and plausible connection, laying the groundwork for a massive, interconnected crime drama empire under the umbrella of Taylor Sheridan’s creative vision.
The NOLA King Plot: Reclaiming the Past
The central narrative of NOLA King promises a rich, character-driven story typical of Sheridan’s productions, filtered through the unique cultural backdrop of New Orleans, Louisiana.
The official logline reveals that Russell Lee Washington Jr. is returning to his hometown—a place he abandoned four decades ago—to reconnect with his family and friends and ultimately seize control of the local criminal underworld.
This homecoming is fraught with danger, as his decision to spare Dwight and form an alliance has incurred the wrath of his former employers in New York’s Renzetti crime family. Furthermore, returning to the Crescent City means he is vulnerable to both old criminal foes he left behind and local law enforcement.
The story is intrinsically about redemption and dominion. While Dwight Manfredi sought to build a legitimate empire in Tulsa after being cast out by the New York mob, Russell appears to be aiming for a more complicated, perhaps darker, blend of family reconnection and criminal control, making the New Orleans setting a perfect cauldron of cultural history, loyalty, and violence.
Production Outlook and The Future of the Sheridan-Verse
Following Jackson’s successful character introduction in Tulsa King Season 3, the production timeline for NOLA King is moving rapidly. While the series was officially greenlit in July, production is expected to begin in early 2026. If the production schedule mirrors the pace of other Sheridan projects, a premiere date can be tentatively anticipated in late 2026 or early 2027.
The successful transition of Jackson from supporting role in Tulsa King to lead in NOLA King also provides a powerful blueprint for future franchise expansion. As one critic noted, given Dwight Manfredi was in federal prison for 25 years, the potential for introducing new characters from his criminal past to headline their own spin-off series—each set in a different US city—is practically limitless.
For Samuel L. Jackson, NOLA King is not just a new job; it is a late-career evolution. It is the culmination of a life dedicated to commanding the screen, now transplanted into a genre and a universe that perfectly suits his gravitas and unflinching authority. The debut of Russell Lee Washington Jr. this week signaled not just the start of a new show, but the birth of a major, star-driven television empire.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who is Samuel L. Jackson playing in the new series?
A: Samuel L. Jackson is playing Russell Lee Washington Jr., a former mob enforcer with a long history with Tulsa King protagonist Dwight Manfredi (Sylvester Stallone). The character is returning to his hometown of New Orleans after forty years away to take control of the local criminal world and reconnect with his estranged family.
Q: What is the new series called and is it related to Tulsa King?
A: The new series is called NOLA King and it is a direct spinoff of the hit Paramount+ series Tulsa King. It will be set primarily in New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA), with Jackson’s character moving there after his arc in Tulsa King Season 3.
Q: When did Samuel L. Jackson first appear as the character?
A: Jackson’s character, Russell Lee Washington Jr., was introduced in Season 3, Episode 9 of Tulsa King, which aired in November 2025. This multi-episode arc served to set up his motivation and the plot for his solo series.
Q: When will NOLA King be released?
A: NOLA King has been officially greenlit by Paramount+. Production is expected to begin in early 2026, with a likely premiere date in late 2026 or early 2027.
Q: Is NOLA King part of Taylor Sheridan’s universe?
A: Yes, the series is executive produced by Oscar nominee Taylor Sheridan, and it is a major expansion of the same shared crime drama universe that includes Tulsa King, solidifying the network’s strategy of building a franchise around Hollywood heavyweights.
Q: Will Samuel L. Jackson still play Nick Fury in the MCU?
A: While his focus is currently on the new TV franchise, Jackson’s role as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe remains his longest-running part. He is slated to reprise the role in the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday, which is expected to release in 2026.
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