Paramount+ Expands Sheridan Universe With ‘NOLA King’
Paramount+ has officially greenlit NOLA King, a spinoff from the hit crime dramedy Tulsa King, with Samuel L. Jackson set to headline the new series.
The announcement confirms the franchise’s expansion under the creative universe of Taylor Sheridan, whose Paramount+ catalog already includes Landman, Mayor of Kingstown, and Lioness.
NOLA King will introduce Jackson’s character, Russell Lee Washington Jr., in multiple episodes of Tulsa King season 3 before spinning off into his own narrative. Jackson will also serve as an executive producer on the series, which is scheduled to begin production in February 2026.
Jackson’s Character Adds Firepower to Tulsa King’s Next Chapter
In Tulsa King season 3, currently in production, Russell Lee Washington Jr. is introduced as a formidable new adversary to Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight Manfredi. Described as a powerful criminal, Washington clashes with Dwight, escalating tensions before relocating his operations to New Orleans—setting the stage for NOLA King.
According to Deadline, Jackson’s episodes are scheduled to shoot in July 2025, serving as an embedded prelude to the spinoff.
This strategy cements NOLA King firmly within the Sheridan universe, following a path similar to Yellowstone, which has produced multiple successful offshoots.
A Strategic Move to Franchise Tulsa King
NOLA King becomes the first spinoff derived exclusively from a Paramount+ original created by Sheridan. While Yellowstone has expanded through several linear spinoffs, this move signals Paramount+’s intent to franchise its digital-only successes.
The move comes as Tulsa King season 2 ended on a cliffhanger, with Dwight being abducted by what appeared to be a government agency. It remains to be seen whether this leads directly to his confrontation with Jackson’s Washington.
New Orleans as the Next Frontier
The shift in setting from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to New Orleans promises a fresh visual and cultural dynamic for the franchise. The new locale will allow NOLA King to explore distinct themes and criminal undercurrents while maintaining the gritty charm that has driven Tulsa King’s popularity.
Dave Erickson, current showrunner of Tulsa King and Mayor of Kingstown, will transition into the role of showrunner, writer, and executive producer for NOLA King, ensuring creative continuity across both series.
Star Power Anchors a Promising Spinoff
With Samuel L. Jackson at the helm, NOLA King brings major star power to its debut. His presence not only boosts the profile of the spinoff but also aligns with Sheridan’s strategy of building shows around iconic lead actors. Stallone’s performance in Tulsa King has been a critical component of its success, and Jackson’s casting reflects a similar high-caliber approach.
NOLA King has the potential to replicate or even surpass the impact of its predecessor by leveraging Jackson’s global appeal and the built-in audience of the Tulsa King fan base.
Production Timeline and What to Expect
Filming for Jackson’s crossover episodes in Tulsa King is expected to begin in mid-2025, with NOLA King going into full production by early 2026. No additional plot details have been confirmed, but the series is expected to explore Washington’s criminal ascension and entrenchment in the underworld of New Orleans.
With Tulsa King season 3 and NOLA King now on the calendar, Paramount+ continues to bet big on its expanding Sheridan-led universe.
