The Tulsa King universe is expanding — but not in the way fans first expected.
Taylor Sheridan’s highly anticipated spinoff starring Samuel L. Jackson has officially been renamed Frisco King, following a major creative overhaul. Originally developed as NOLA King and set in New Orleans, the series will now shift its setting to Frisco, Texas — with Sheridan himself stepping in to write all eight episodes of the first season.
That’s a significant change. And a powerful signal.
From NOLA to Frisco: What Changed?
The project was initially planned with a pilot script by Dave Erickson and a New Orleans backdrop. However, Erickson exited the series in July, and the creative direction has since been reworked entirely.
Now titled Frisco King, the show relocates to Frisco, TX, and will begin filming in late March in Fort Worth. The move aligns with Sheridan’s growing Texas-based production ecosystem — including a production campus he launched last year with collaborator David C. Glasser, backed by Paramount.
Notably, no new showrunner has been announced. And in typical Sheridan fashion, the series may not even have one. Several of his past projects have operated without a traditional showrunner structure.
A New Chapter for the ‘Tulsa King’ Universe
Jackson’s character, Russell Lee Washington Jr., was first introduced in Season 3 of Tulsa King, which stars and is executive produced by Sylvester Stallone.
The spinoff will continue expanding the gritty crime-world landscape Sheridan has built, blending Southern crime drama with sharp character-driven storytelling.
Paramount executives made it clear they see this as a prestige move.
Matt Thunell, President of Paramount Television Studios, stated that having Sheridan write every episode of the season in his distinct voice will be a major draw for fans. Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals at Paramount+, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the scale and ambition of bringing Samuel L. Jackson into this expanding universe.
Sheridan’s Expanding Empire — Before His Exit
Sheridan has been one of television’s most prolific world-builders over the past decade. He created Yellowstone, wrote the first seasons of Mayor of Kingstown, and penned every episode of spinoffs 1883 and 1923, along with ongoing series like Lioness and Landman.
Interestingly, on Tulsa King, Sheridan is credited only as co-writer of the pilot episode. That makes Frisco King a notable shift — he’s fully hands-on again.
This also marks the first new Sheridan series to move into production under Paramount’s new leadership. However, it comes with a timeline twist: Sheridan is set to depart Paramount for NBCUniversal in January 2029.
Powerhouse Production Team
Produced by Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios, Frisco King brings together an extensive executive producing lineup, including Sheridan, Stallone, Jackson, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, Christina Alexandra Voros, and others.
With Jackson front and center and Sheridan writing every episode, expectations are sky-high.
Final Words
The transformation from NOLA King to Frisco King isn’t just a title tweak — it’s a creative reset.
With Texas as the new battleground and Samuel L. Jackson leading the charge, Taylor Sheridan appears determined to deepen the Tulsa King universe with a bold new identity.
If Sheridan’s track record is any indication, Frisco King won’t just be a spinoff.
It’ll be a statement.
