Samuel L. Jackson’s expansion into the Tulsa King universe just hit a major creative detour, but it promises a much bigger, bolder ride. The highly anticipated Paramount+ spinoff, initially announced last year as NOLA King, has officially undergone a creative overhaul. The series has been retitled Frisco King, trading the sultry backdrop of New Orleans for the sprawling ambition of Frisco, Texas.
The change in scenery comes alongside a massive shift behind the scenes. Following the departure of the project’s original showrunner Dave Erickson last July, franchise mastermind Taylor Sheridan is taking full control of the wheel. The prolific creator behind Yellowstone and Tulsa King has officially committed to writing all eight episodes of the spinoff’s first season himself.
“We are honored to have Taylor Sheridan write the first season of Frisco King and bring to life Samuel L. Jackson’s iconic character,” Matt Thunell, president of Paramount Television Studios, shared in a statement. “Having him pen all episodes of the season with his singular voice will be a treat for fans of Tulsa King and audiences around the world.”
For fans who tuned into the hit third season of Tulsa King, Jackson’s character needs no introduction. He stepped onto the scene as Russell Lee Washington Jr., an aging hitman who befriended Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight “The General” Manfredi during a 10-year stint in federal prison.
Russell was initially dispatched to Oklahoma by New York’s Renzetti crime family to eliminate Dwight once and for all. Now, rather than reclaiming his roots in Louisiana, his storyline will pivot toward building his own criminal empire in the Lone Star State. (Though, according to industry insiders, the show may still feature a brief stop in New Orleans before fully settling into Frisco).
Paramount+ executives are confident that pairing Jackson’s on-screen gravitas with Sheridan’s gritty writing will be a massive draw. “Having Samuel L. Jackson step into this universe is a testament to the scale and ambition of the storytelling Taylor is crafting,” added Jane Wiseman, head of originals at Paramount+.
Production for Frisco King is slated to kick off in late March in Fort Worth, Texas. Jackson will not only lead the cast but also serve as an executive producer alongside his wife, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Sheridan, and Stallone.
With Tulsa King already gearing up for Season 4 and Frisco King officially revving its engines, it is clear that Paramount is doubling down on its modern mob universe and they are bringing in Hollywood royalty to secure the crown.
