It looks like Taylor Sheridan is going to be fully in the driving seat for the first season of the Samuel L. Jackson-led Tulsa King spin-off series, Nola King…only it isn’t going to be called that anymore either. As previously rumored, Variety reports the new crime series coming to Paramount+ will be called Frisco King and is set to get cameras rolling in March in Ft. Worth, Texas. Not only that, but Taylor Sheridan will have a much more prominent role in bringing the series to life than originally planned.
When it was first announced that Tulsa King was getting a spin-off – which was given a backdoor pilot in the last season of Silvester Stallone’s popular series – Dave Erickson was set to act as writer and showrunner. However, Erickson departed the project seven months ago, and in his place is the main man himself, Taylor Sheridan, who has now written all eight episodes of Season 1.
“We are honored to have Taylor Sheridan write the first season of Frisco King and bring to life Samuel L. Jackson’s iconic character,” said Paramount Television Studios’ Matt Thunell. “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.”
The behind the scenes changes have seemingly completely altered the show from its original pitch, which was a crime spin-off set in New Orleans, where Jackson’s character, Russell Lee Washington Jr., seeks out his “second chance” after being inspired by his meeting with Stallone’s Dwight Manfredi in Season 3 of Tulsa King. Now, the new show will be primarily moving its setting to Frisco, Texas, although it has been confirmed that the show will include brief New Orleans moments.
Said Paramount+ head of originals Jane Wiseman: “Taylor Sheridan continues to build worlds that attract some of the most iconic talent working today, and Frisco King is no exception. Having Samuel L. Jackson step into this universe is a testament to the scale and ambition of the storytelling Taylor is crafting. We’re thrilled to expand this storyline with such a powerhouse creative team and cast on Paramount+.”
Tulsa King, like all of Sheridan’s Paramount+ shows, has been a massive juggernaut when it comes to viewership, and even some mixed reviews for Season 3 could not stop it holding a Top 10 place on the streaming chart for 11 consecutive weeks after its debut last year. There is no doubt that with Sheridan writing and a big name like Jackson fronting it, Frisco King is going to be another instant smash hit that will surely make Paramount question why they are allowing Sheridan to depart for NBCUniversal in a reported $1 billion deal.
Sheridan has provided Paramount+ with their biggest shows ever, and continues to do so despite the tensions between the creator and new Paramount management following their merger with Skydance. From Yellowstone and its many spin-offs – more of which are on the way — to Lioness, Mayor of Kingstown, Landman, Tulsa King, The Madison, and now Frisco King, Taylor Sheridan has pretty much become the backbone of Paramount+ programming.
However, the NBCUniversal deal may be getting Sheridan himself, but it will not see him taking Yellowstone or any of his other Paramount franchises with him. This means that his existing IPs will likely continue for several more years at Paramount, while his new deal will see him creating some brand new franchises for his new partnership.
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