{"id":12740,"date":"2025-10-24T20:34:34","date_gmt":"2025-10-25T00:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/samuel-l-jackson-set-to-lead-nola-king-spinoff-series-first-tv-lead-role-announced\/"},"modified":"2025-10-24T20:35:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-25T00:35:01","slug":"51411-samuel-l-jackson-set-to-lead-nola-king-spinoff-series-first-tv-lead-role-announc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/51411-samuel-l-jackson-set-to-lead-nola-king-spinoff-series-first-tv-lead-role-announc\/","title":{"rendered":"Samuel L Jackson set to lead NOLA King spinoff series, first TV lead role announced"},"content":{"rendered":"

Samuel L. Jackson<\/b> is stepping into his first-ever TV lead role. Paramount+<\/b> announced NOLA King<\/b> on July 17, 2025<\/b>. The spinoff comes from Tulsa King<\/b> creator Taylor Sheridan<\/b>. Jackson plays Russell Lee Washington Jr.<\/b>, an ex-con returning to New Orleans<\/b> after 40 years<\/b>.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udd25 Quick Facts:<\/p>\n

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  • Jackson’s character debuts in Tulsa King Season 3<\/b> (premiered Sept. 21, 2025<\/b>)<\/li>\n
  • Set in New Orleans<\/b>, the crime drama expands Taylor Sheridan’s Universe<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Production begins early 2026<\/b> with no premiere date yet confirmed<\/li>\n
  • Sylvester Stallone stars in parent series; initially nervous about working with Jackson<\/li>\n
  • First time Jackson leads a drama series on television<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    What This Career Shift Means<\/h2>\n

    Jackson<\/b> is one of Hollywood’s busiest actors with 150+ film roles<\/b>. Yet television has remained largely untapped territory for him. His previous TV work included voice acting in Afro Samurai<\/b> and guest appearances. NOLA King<\/b> marks a genuine turning point for the legendary performer.<\/p>\n

    Jackson expressed excitement about joining Sheridan’s crime universe<\/b>. He told Collider: “I’m really happy to be in that universe.” The actor recognizes the opportunity to develop a leading character over multiple seasons, something film roles rarely allow.<\/p>\n

    Russell Lee Washington Jr. and the Plot Setup<\/h2>\n

    Jackson’s character Russell Lee Washington Jr.<\/b> operates as a bridge between Tulsa King<\/b> and its spinoff. In Tulsa King Season 3<\/b>, he arrives as an antagonist sent to confront Dwight Manfredi<\/b> (played by Stallone<\/b>). Their prison connection sets up the spinoff’s premise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Character Details<\/td>\nInformation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Name<\/td>\nRussell Lee Washington Jr.<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Role Type<\/td>\nEx-con with crime world history<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Spinoff Focus<\/td>\nReturns to New Orleans<\/b> after 40 years<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Series Debut<\/td>\nTulsa King Season 3<\/b>, Sept. 2025<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Platform<\/td>\nParamount+<\/b> exclusive series<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

    After being inspired by what Dwight<\/b> accomplishes in Tulsa<\/b>, Russell<\/b> decides to reclaim control of New Orleans<\/b>. The spinoff explores his rise in the city’s crime underworld, giving Jackson substantial dramatic range.<\/p>\n

    Why This Matters for Jackson’s Career<\/h2>\n

    Television commitments require sustained character work across seasons. Jackson has historically avoided this format. But NOLA King<\/b> positions him as an aging antiheroes entering his legacy phase.<\/p>\n

    Jackson<\/b> leverages his screen presence and experience into a complex lead. His previous TV credits included brief appearances in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.<\/b> and voice work. NOLA King<\/b> represents something entirely different: a sprawling crime narrative centered entirely on him.<\/p>\n

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    “I’m really happy to be in that universe.”<\/p>\n