If you’ve been relishing the rough and unapologetically absurd mob saga that is *Tulsa King*, then you’re in for something exciting — Paramount+ is gearing up to broaden the series’ universe with a spinoff located in New Orleans, and Samuel L. Jackson is coming aboard to take the helm.
*Variety* reveals that Jackson is on board to star in and executive produce this new series, tentatively titled *NOLA King*. Which, I don’t know about you, but instantly brings to mind an image of Jackson in a sleek blazer, strolling through the French Quarter with a cigar in one hand and a cane in the other.
While Paramount+ hasn’t disclosed much beyond the essentials, here’s what we do know: Jackson will reportedly make a guest appearance in the forthcoming third season of *Tulsa King*, setting the stage for his own series in the process. *NOLA King* will follow a character similar in essence to Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight Manfredi — indicating that Jackson will portray a larger-than-life persona with a history, a mission, and likely a collection of memorable threats ready to go. Specific plot information remains concealed, but if it mirrors *Tulsa King*, anticipate the tone to veer more towards a campy crime romp than highbrow television.
Not that that’s inherently a bad thing.
It’s not likely to earn any critical accolades anytime soon, but fans like myself don’t mind; *Tulsa King* continues to be one of my favorite guilty pleasures on television. Not every series needs to reinvent the wheel or leave critics awestruck, and *Tulsa King* doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. Who cares that the concept — Stallone, at 76, portraying a mafia leader who relocates to Oklahoma to establish a base — is just short of believable? The show still dives in with absolute assurance, like a guy at the blackjack table who’s already tipsy and still betting on five hands at once. It’s the streaming equivalent of good old-fashioned comfort food.
I mention this because this New Orleans spinoff, if it maintains that same essence, could be a lot of fun. Imagine *Tulsa King* but infused with more jazz, perhaps some voodoo nods, and Samuel L. Jackson likely shouting at someone while sporting a stylish hat. And while Paramount+ hasn’t unveiled any additional details about *NOLA King* just yet, Season 3 of the original series — which will serve as the launchpad for Jackson’s character — is already underway.
Honestly, if the spinoff provides me even half the wild pleasure of witnessing Stallone shake down a cannabis dispensary, I’ll certainly be fully on board. And I suspect many other viewers will be as well. “This show, like every other Taylor Sheridan-produced series, is going to be a hit,” TV industry commentator and critic Dan Barrett stated in his *Always Be Watching* email newsletter Thursday. “People will talk about it. And viewers will be there for it.”
