Taylor Sheridan’s expanding crime universe is getting a Texas-sized reset.
The upcoming Tulsa King spinoff starring Samuel L. Jackson has officially been retitled Frisco King, moving away from its original concept as NOLA King. The series, which was initially set in New Orleans with a pilot script from Dave Erickson, has undergone a creative overhaul and will now take place in Frisco, Texas.
Even more notable: Taylor Sheridan will personally write all eight episodes of the first season.
From New Orleans to North Texas
Originally developed as NOLA King, the spinoff was designed to extend the world of Tulsa King beyond Oklahoma. However, after Erickson — who had been slated to serve as showrunner — exited the project last summer, Sheridan stepped in more directly.
Production on Frisco King is set to begin in late March in Fort Worth, Texas, where Sheridan and producing partner David C. Glasser recently launched a production campus. The relocation aligns with Sheridan’s growing creative footprint in Texas, which has become a central hub for many of his projects.
At this time, it remains unclear whether the series will officially appoint a showrunner. Not all Sheridan-led projects operate under the traditional showrunner model, as the prolific creator has often maintained tight creative control across his slate.
Jackson’s Character Expands the ‘Tulsa King’ Universe
Frisco King will center on Russell Lee Washington Jr., the character portrayed by Jackson and first introduced in Season 3 of Tulsa King. The original series stars Sylvester Stallone as Dwight “The General” Manfredi, a New York mob capo building a new criminal empire in Oklahoma after his release from prison.
Jackson’s addition to the franchise signaled a significant expansion of Sheridan’s crime saga — and now, with his character anchoring a full spinoff, Paramount+ is clearly doubling down on the universe’s longevity.
Paramount Leadership Signals Big Confidence
Matt Thunell, President of Paramount Television Studios, praised the decision to have Sheridan write the entire first season:
“We are honored to have Taylor Sheridan write the first season of Frisco King and bring to life Samuel L. Jackson’s iconic character. 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.”
Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals at Paramount+, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the scale of the expansion and Jackson’s casting as a statement move for the franchise.
The series is produced by Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios, with executive producers including Sheridan, Stallone, Jackson, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Christina Alexandra Voros, Michael Friedman, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, and Keith Cox.
A Strategic Shift Under New Paramount Leadership
Frisco King marks the first new Sheridan series to enter production under Paramount’s new leadership regime. All of Sheridan’s existing television projects remain housed at Paramount Television Studios until his previously announced departure to NBCUniversal in 2029.
The move also reinforces Sheridan’s signature model: world-building, location-driven storytelling, and A-list talent anchoring gritty crime dramas.
With Jackson stepping into leading-man territory inside the Sheridan-verse, Frisco King is shaping up to be a major pillar of Paramount+’s franchise strategy.