Samuel L. Jackson Teams With Sylvester Stallone To Play Ruthless Crime Boss In New TV Series

Samuel L. Jackson is stepping into new territory with crime and redemption as he takes the helm in NOLA King, his first lead role in a television series debuting through Paramount+.

The 76-year-old screen icon will portray Russell Lee Washington Jr., a character set to make his debut in the third season of Tulsa King, which is scheduled to arrive in September.

The spinoff expands on the world built by Sylvester Stallone‘s Dwight Manfredi, introducing Jackson’s character as a federal prison acquaintance sent by the Renzetti crime family on a dark mission: eliminate Manfredi.

But what starts as a hit job turns into something more layered.

“Nola King follows Russell Lee Washington Jr. who, after befriending Dwight Manfredi (Stallone) during a 10-year stint in federal prison, is sent to Tulsa by New York’s Renzetti crime family to take Dwight out once and for all,” a synopsis from Paramount+ reads. “Inspired by what Dwight created in Tulsa and impressed with the possibilities of second chances, Washington returns to New Orleans, the home he abandoned 40 years ago, to rekindle his relationship with his family and friends, and to take control of the city he left behind.”

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Jackson has kept quiet publicly about the series. Still, Stallone expressed complete confidence in Jackson being the right man to drive the expansion of the franchise.

“(Co-CEO of Paramount Global) 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 said. “I was immediately on board. Sam Jackson is the only choice to anchor this new adventure in NOLA, and David Glasser and 101 (Studios) are the perfect partner to bring it to life.”

NOLA King not only gives Jackson his first lead role in a full TV series but also adds to the growing list of projects born from Taylor Sheridan’s creative incubation at Paramount+. Sheridan will also serve as executive producer on the show alongside Stallone and Jackson.

Though Jackson previously headlined projects like The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey and both were limited series rather than ongoing commitments. This move signals a broader commitment to the small screen with an ambitious premise steeped in legacy, power, and second chances.

The third season of Tulsa King is expected to premiere in September on Paramount+.