In the popular Paramount+ series Tulsa King, it was not a producer but Samuel L. Jackson himself who pushed to join the show. Sylvester Stallone, the show’s lead, recently shared that the legendary actor was the driving force behind his own casting, actively seeking a role in the expanding Taylor Sheridan television universe.
How Samuel L. Jackson Made His Move
Stallone explained that Jackson took the direct approach to secure his part on the crime drama. The Rocky and Rambo icon described Jackson as “the aggressor” in the situation.
“He was the aggressor. He wanted to do it so badly,” Stallone told reporters. “He went to the producer. The producer came to me.”
This behind-the-scenes move led to Jackson’s debut as the character Russell Lee Washington Jr., a feared hitman, in the third season’s penultimate episode titled “Dead Weight,” which launched on November 16, 2025. In the episode, Jackson’s character is recruited by another mobster to travel to Tulsa and kill Stallone’s character, Dwight Manfredi.
Stallone’s Initial Nerves and On-Screen Chemistry
The addition of another A-list actor to the series initially made Stallone nervous. He admitted he saw Jackson’s arrival as a potential challenge to his position, comparing it to a classic showdown.
“I feel like, here it comes, high noon. It’s gonna be a gunfight between us two. He brings out the best,” Stallone said of sharing the screen with Jackson.
He noted that Jackson walks onto the set with “complete confidence” and a recognizable swagger. Stallone shared that while there can be intimidation when acting with such a formidable performer, it ultimately creates a powerful dynamic.
“Actors love to be challenged. At first, there may be a little intimidation, but once you get cooking. After the first punch is thrown, now you’re in it,” he explained.
The Character and Upcoming Spinoff
Jackson’s role is much more than a simple guest appearance. His character, Russell Lee Washington Jr., is a top-tier hitman whose story is set to continue in his own series. In “Dead Weight,” it is revealed that Russell and Dwight have known each other for twenty years, having met in prison, where Dwight once saved his life.
This connection allows Russell to give Dwight a professional courtesy by warning him about the hit. The episode also hints at Russell’s future, with the character expressing his desire to return to New Orleans, setting the stage for the announced spinoff series, Nola King.
The official description for Nola King states that the series will follow Washington as he returns to New Orleans after 42 years. He aims to reconnect with his family and take control of the city he once left, which inevitably draws the attention of both old criminal associates and law enforcement.
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Jackson’s Excitement for the Role
Samuel L. Jackson has expressed his own enthusiasm for joining Taylor Sheridan’s television universe, which includes popular shows like Yellowstone. He mentioned that he was already a fan of Tulsa King even before discussions about his role began.
“At least 15 of those shows are on my watchlist all the time,” Jackson said, referring to Sheridan’s network of series. “I watched Tulsa King, and I liked it even before that idea came up.”
The Season 3 finale of Tulsa King is scheduled to stream on November 23, 2025, on Paramount+.
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