Paramount+ has officially ordered the series NOLA King, a spinoff from Taylor Sheridan’s acclaimed drama Tulsa King, featuring the legendary Samuel L. Jackson.
Paramount+ Confirms ‘NOLA King’ Series Starring Samuel L. Jackson
Paramount+ has officially ordered the series NOLA King, a spinoff from Taylor Sheridan’s acclaimed drama Tulsa King, featuring the legendary Samuel L. Jackson.
Jackson’s Role in ‘Tulsa King’ and ‘NOLA King’
As reported by Deadline last month, Jackson will appear in multiple episodes of Tulsa King’s upcoming third season before taking the lead and serving as executive producer for the new series, produced by 101 Studios and MTV Entertainment Studios.
First Look at ‘NOLA King’
Paramount+ has unveiled a first-look image of Jackson alongside Tulsa King star Sylvester Stallone in Episode 309. The offshoot’s premise revolves around Russell Lee Washington Jr. (Jackson), who, after forming a bond with Dwight Manfredi (Stallone) during a decade in federal prison, is dispatched to Tulsa by New York’s Renzetti crime family to eliminate Dwight.
Returning to New Orleans
Inspired by Dwight’s achievements in Tulsa and motivated by the potential for second chances, Washington returns to New Orleans, the city he left forty years ago, to reconnect with his family and friends while reclaiming control of his former home. This journey, however, puts him at odds with his old employers in New York and exposes him to past adversaries in New Orleans, including both criminals and law enforcement.
Executive Insights
“Samuel L. Jackson brings unparalleled presence and global appeal, making him the perfect choice to maximize the momentum of one of our biggest hits and transform it into a hit franchise,” stated Chris McCarthy, Co-CEO of Paramount Global and President of Showtime/MTV Entertainment. “Building on the breakout success of Sylvester Stallone’s Tulsa King, audiences will now experience the full force of Jackson’s dynamic, layered performance — supercharging one of Paramount+’s flagship series.”
The Vision Behind ‘NOLA King’
NOLA King originates from McCarthy’s vision to expand the Tulsa King universe, similar to how Sheridan’s Yellowstone has spawned multiple spinoffs. He presented the idea to Stallone, who was immediately on board. “Chris McCarthy came to me with a game-changing idea: to elevate my show beyond a mob boss series, creating a dynamic, family-driven franchise,” Stallone remarked. “Sam Jackson is the only choice to anchor this new adventure in NOLA.”
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Production Details
This marks the first spinoff from Tulsa King, Paramount+’s #1 global original series in 2024, with its third season set to premiere in September. NOLA King, aiming for a February production start, is executive produced by Sheridan, Stallone, and Jackson, alongside David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Michael Friedman, and Keith Cox. Originally written by Dave Erickson, who stepped down as showrunner due to commitments to Tulsa King and another Sheridan series, Mayor of Kingstown, a search for a new showrunner is currently underway.
Anticipation for Jackson’s Performance
“Partnering with Paramount has been such a rich experience,” said Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios. “Taylor had the brilliant idea to drop Sylvester Stallone in the middle of Tulsa, and it has been everything we wanted and more. The success of this show has now led us to another icon. I cannot wait to see what Sam brings to this world.”
Jackson’s Legacy
NOLA King is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios, distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of Paramount+ markets. This series marks Jackson’s first leading role, known for his iconic portrayal of Nick Fury in the MCU across various films and TV series. Recently, he starred in the Peacock limited series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist. An Academy Award nominee for Pulp Fiction, Jackson received an Honorary Oscar in 2021.
