The Lone Star Expansion: Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Frisco King’ and the Strategic Shift of the Paramount+ Mafia Empire

The landscape of modern television is currently being reshaped by the singular vision of Taylor Sheridan. While he is best known for the sprawling pastoral epic Yellowstone, Sheridan has successfully branched into the gritty world of organized crime with Tulsa King. Now, that universe is expanding once again with the highly anticipated spin-off, Frisco King. Starring the legendary Samuel L. Jackson, the series represents more than just a new chapter in a successful franchise; it signals a monumental shift in production strategy, moving the center of Sheridan’s creative gravity from the plains of Oklahoma and the bayous of Louisiana to the burgeoning media hub of North Texas.

Main Facts: A New King in the North (Texas)

Frisco King is the latest installment in Taylor Sheridan’s expanding "mafia empire" on Paramount+. The series serves as a direct spin-off of Tulsa King, which stars Sylvester Stallone as Dwight “The General” Manfredi. While Tulsa King followed a New York capo sent to establish a foothold in Oklahoma, Frisco King centers on Russell Lee Washington Jr., portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson.

Introduced to audiences during the third season of Tulsa King, Jackson’s character was initially a veteran hitman dispatched by the New York mafia to eliminate Dwight Manfredi. However, in a twist that highlighted the complex loyalties of the Sheridan-verse, the two aging outlaws found common ground through their shared history in the federal prison system. Instead of a lethal confrontation, a mutual respect was forged, setting the stage for Washington to carve out his own territory.

The series is currently in production near Fort Worth, Texas, with a planned eight-episode first season. Notably, this marks the first time Samuel L. Jackson—a titan of the silver screen known for his collaborations with Quentin Tarantino and his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe—will lead a television series. Taylor Sheridan is slated to write all eight episodes of the debut season, with Sylvester Stallone serving as an executive producer, ensuring a cohesive creative link between the parent show and its successor.

Chronology: From the Big Easy to the Silicon Prairie

The journey of Frisco King from conception to production has been marked by significant geographical and creative pivots.

2022–2023: The Foundation

Paramount+ debuted Tulsa King in late 2022, which quickly became a flagship hit for the streamer. The success of Stallone’s transition to the small screen prompted immediate discussions about expanding the "King" brand. In 2024, the first official announcement of a spin-off arrived under the working title NOLA King. The original plan was to set the series in New Orleans, leveraging the unique aesthetic and cultural backdrop of Louisiana’s underworld.

2025: The Introduction of Russell Lee Washington Jr.

During the production and airing of Tulsa King Season 3, Samuel L. Jackson was introduced as Russell Lee Washington Jr. His performance was designed as a "backdoor pilot," testing audience reception to the character. The chemistry between Jackson and Stallone proved to be a major draw, and the character’s backstory was enriched to support a standalone narrative.

Early 2026: The Texas Relocation

As the project moved into pre-production, a strategic decision was made to relocate the setting. In early 2026, sources confirmed that the "NOLA" (New Orleans, Louisiana) moniker was being dropped. Production was moved to Texas, specifically targeting the North Texas region near Fort Worth and the rapidly growing city of Frisco. By April 2026, Sylvester Stallone confirmed the start of filming via a social media post, officially rebranding the series as Frisco King.

2027 and Beyond: Release Expectations

While a firm premiere date has not been set, Paramount+ has indicated a tentative release window for early 2027. This follows the scheduled release of Tulsa King Season 4 in the fall of 2026. The writers’ room for Tulsa King Season 5 is already active, suggesting a long-term plan to run both series concurrently, potentially leading to crossover events between the Tulsa and Frisco factions.

Supporting Data: Production Infrastructure and Ensemble Cast

The move to Texas is not merely a narrative choice; it is supported by a massive investment in physical infrastructure. Taylor Sheridan has been instrumental in the development of SGS Studios, a state-of-the-art production campus in Fort Worth that opened in 2025. This facility serves as the nerve center for Frisco King, providing the technical resources necessary to maintain high production values while benefiting from the local economy.

The Ensemble Cast

While Samuel L. Jackson is the primary draw, the supporting cast of Frisco King reflects a blend of rising stars and established talent from within the Sheridan ecosystem:

• Asa Germann: Known for his breakout role in Gen V, Germann is expected to play a pivotal younger operative within Washington’s new organization.
• Kai Caster: A Yellowstone alumnus, Caster’s inclusion suggests a bridge between Sheridan’s Western and crime franchises.
• Lilah Pate: Coming off the success of The Summer I Turned Pretty, Pate brings a different demographic appeal to the gritty drama.
• Savanna Gann: A rising talent recently seen in English Teacher, Gann rounds out a cast designed to appeal to both traditional network viewers and streaming audiences.

Financial and Narrative Incentives

The shift to Texas is also a response to the evolving landscape of film tax incentives. While New York (where Tulsa King may return for future seasons) has increased its incentives, Texas has aggressively expanded its program to attract long-term television productions. By filming Frisco King, Landman, and portions of The Madison in Texas, Sheridan is centralizing his operations, reducing logistical costs, and utilizing his own properties, such as the Four Sixes Ranch and Bosque Ranch, for filming.

Official Responses and Creative Vision

The transition of the series has been met with enthusiasm from the lead actors and the production team. In April 2026, Sylvester Stallone shared a photo from the set of Frisco King, featuring himself alongside Samuel L. Jackson. His caption, “From one king to another. Frisco King is now in production!” served as the unofficial "changing of the guard" announcement, confirming that the two characters would remain linked in the eyes of the fans.

Taylor Sheridan has been vocal about his desire to tell stories rooted in the American heartland. By moving Frisco King to Texas, he is leaning into his own "home-field advantage." Sheridan’s approach to writing—often penning entire seasons solo—ensures that the voice of the show remains consistent with the "Sheridan-verse" brand: hyper-masculine, morally complex, and deeply concerned with the concept of territory and legacy.

Paramount+ executives have noted that the "King" franchise is a cornerstone of their subscriber retention strategy. In official press releases, the streamer has emphasized the "prestige" nature of the series, highlighting the rarity of having actors of Jackson and Stallone’s caliber leading a shared television universe.

Implications: The Future of the Sheridan-Verse and the Texas Film Industry

The emergence of Frisco King has significant implications for the entertainment industry at large, specifically regarding the "Sheridan-verse" and the state of Texas as a production powerhouse.

The 2028 Horizon

Taylor Sheridan’s current contract with Paramount is set to expire in 2028, after which he is expected to move his creative output to NBCUniversal. This creates a fascinating timeline for Frisco King. If the series premieres in 2027, its initial seasons will be under the Paramount+ banner, but its long-term future may be entangled in the transition between media giants. This "lame duck" period for Sheridan at Paramount actually seems to be accelerating production, as the creator looks to solidify his franchises before the move.

The "Texas-fication" of Hollywood

For decades, Hollywood productions looked to Georgia, Louisiana, or New Mexico for tax-friendly filming locations. Sheridan is single-handedly making North Texas a viable competitor. The rebranding of NOLA King to Frisco King is the most overt example of this shift. By establishing SGS Studios and filming multiple high-profile series (Landman, Lioness Season 2, The Madison) in the region, Sheridan is building a self-sustaining industry in Fort Worth. This move not only benefits his productions but also creates a permanent workforce of local crew members and supporting actors.

A New Chapter for Samuel L. Jackson

Finally, Frisco King represents a significant pivot for Samuel L. Jackson. At a stage in his career where most actors might lean into cameo roles or voice work, Jackson is committing to the rigors of a leading television role. His portrayal of Russell Lee Washington Jr. offers an opportunity to explore a character with more nuance and screentime than a standard two-hour feature film allows. For the audience, seeing Jackson navigate the "Sheridan-verse"—a world defined by sharp dialogue and sudden violence—is a highly anticipated collision of two of Hollywood’s most distinct creative voices.

As Frisco King moves through production, it stands as a testament to the power of a single creator to move mountains—or in this case, to move an entire mafia hierarchy from the Mississippi River to the heart of the Lone Star State.