The Tulsa King universe is about to welcome another heavyweight.
Per Parade, Samuel L. Jackson will make his debut as Russell Lee Washington Jr. in the final two episodes of Season 3, setting the stage for his own spinoff, NOLA King, which is set to begin production in early 2026.
Jackson’s arrival marks another major casting move in Taylor Sheridan’s growing Paramount+ empire—one that already includes stars like Kevin Costner (Yellowstone), Zoe Saldana (Lioness), and Sylvester Stallone, who headlines Tulsa King as mafia capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi.
Now, Stallone and Jackson will finally share the screen in a storyline that connects Tulsa King to its New Orleans-based offshoot.
In the Tulsa King finale, Jackson’s character, Russell Lee Washington Jr., steps into the mix as a mob enforcer with old ties to Dwight. The two men met while serving time in the same federal prison, where Dwight once saved Russell’s life.
When Russell resurfaces years later, it’s under dangerous circumstances—he’s been hired by Ray (James Russo) to eliminate Dwight for good. What Ray doesn’t know is that loyalty still runs deep between the former inmates.
Rather than carrying out the hit, Russell warns Dwight about the setup, and the pair join forces to turn the tables on their would-be enemies. Their uneasy alliance not only shifts the power dynamic in Tulsa but also tees up the next phase of Sheridan’s storytelling: NOLA King.
The upcoming spinoff will follow Russell as he leaves Tulsa behind and returns to New Orleans, the city he abandoned more than four decades earlier. There, he attempts to rebuild relationships with his family and reclaim control of the criminal underworld he once ruled—while dealing with unfinished business from his past.
Tulsa King star Sylvester Stallone has praised Jackson’s addition to the cast, previously saying that working with him was both “a battle and a blessing,” comparing their first days on set to “two boxers in a ring.” Despite his initial nerves, Stallone said the two quickly found their rhythm and chemistry.
Production for NOLA King is slated to begin in February 2026, with a premiere expected in late 2026 or early 2027.
The Tulsa King Season 3 finale premieres Sunday, November 23, on Paramount+.
