If “Rocky” can do it, so can Pulp Fiction’s Jules Winnfield.
Samuel L. Jackson, the Oscar-nominated actor with over 180 screen credits — from Pulp Fiction and Die Hard with a Vengeance to more Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances than any other performer — is finally heading to the small screen in his first-ever television series.
Jackson will headline Nola King, a new Paramount+ drama and spinoff of Tulsa King, the Sylvester Stallone-led mob vehicle. Jackson’s character, Russell Lee Washington Jr., will be introduced in season three of Tulsa King, premiering this September.
The logline: Nola King follows Russell Lee Washington Jr. (Jackson) who, after befriending Dwight Manfredi (Stallone) during a ten-year stint in federal prison, is sent to Tulsa by New York’s Renzetti crime family to take Dwight out once and for all. 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. In so doing, he incurs the wrath of his former employers in New York, and makes himself vulnerable to old Nola foes, both criminal and cop.
“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,” noted Sylvester Stallone in a statement. “I was immediately on board. Sam Jackson is the only choice to anchor this new adventure in Nola and David Glasser and 101 are the perfect partner to bring it to life.”
“Samuel L. Jackson brings unparalleled presence and global appeal, making him the perfect choice to maximize the momentum of one of our biggest hits and transform it into a hit franchise,” said Chris McCarthy, Co-CEO of Paramount Global and President of Showtime/MTV Entertainment. “Building on the breakout success of Sylvester Stallone’s Tulsa King, audiences will now experience the full force of Jackson’s dynamic, layered performance, supercharging one of Paramount+’s flagship series.”
“Partnering with Paramount has been such a rich experience,” added David C. Glasser, CEO 101 Studios. “Taylor (Sheridan) had the brilliant idea to drop Sylvester Stallone in the middle of Tulsa and it has been everything we have wanted and more. The success of this show has now led us to another icon. I cannot wait to see what Sam brings to this world.”
Nola King is executive produced by Taylor Sheridan, Sylvester Stallone and Samuel L. Jackson. David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Michael Friedman and Keith Cox also executive produce. The series is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios and distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of the Paramount+ markets.
The number of episodes ordered for Nola King has not been confirmed, but the expectation is similar to Tulsa King (which was 9 in season one and 10 in season two).
In addition to Samuel L. Jackson, season three of Tulsa King will feature two new cast members. Robert Patrick (1923, The X-Files) joins the series as Jeremiah Dunmire, a powerful and well-connected figure in the liquor industry. Beau Knapp (SEAL Team) will portray Jeremiah’s son, Cole.