Thescreescore – Taylor Sheridan is once again proving why he is the reigning architect of modern prestige television. With the upcoming launch of Frisco King, a high-stakes spinoff of the Tulsa King universe, Sheridan is doing more than just expanding a franchise; he is reclaiming a cinematic archetype. Starring the legendary Samuel L. Jackson, the series promises to deliver the gritty, philosophical crime drama that fans have been craving, even if it feels like a spiritual successor to a masterpiece we never officially got.
Scheduled to premiere on December 18, 2026—coinciding with the grand finale of Tulsa King Season 4—Frisco King marks a significant milestone for the network. It is the first project since Lioness Season 3 to be penned entirely by Sheridan himself. While Jackson was introduced to the Sheridan-verse in the final episodes of Tulsa King Season 3 alongside Sylvester Stallone, this new venture elevates him from a supporting player to the undisputed king of his own criminal domain.
Jackson steps into the role of Russell Lee Washington Jr., a veteran fixer and former assassin. The character’s backstory is deeply intertwined with Stallone’s Dwight Manfredi, having met during a shared stint in federal prison. As Russell re-emerges into society after a decade behind bars, he attempts to trade his life of contract killing for a more calculated existence as a high-level fixer.
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For cinephiles, the parallels to Jackson’s iconic portrayal of Jules Winfield in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction are impossible to ignore. Much like Jules, who sought spiritual redemption after a brush with death, Russell appears to be a man attempting to navigate the moral gray areas of a life he once abandoned. While there is no official word that these characters are the same person, the thematic echoes are profound. Frisco King offers a fascinating "what if" scenario: what happens to a man who tries to walk away from the life of violence, only to find that the world won’t let him?
Unlike the hitmen of the 90s who operated under the thumb of powerful bosses, Russell Lee Washington Jr. is stepping into the driver’s seat. Setting up shop in East Texas, he is building an empire of his own, mirroring the rise of Dwight Manfredi but with a distinct, charismatic flair. Early glimpses suggest a character who is as smooth-talking as he is dangerous—a man who uses intellect and presence to command respect.
Given the established bond between Dwight and Russell, viewers can expect a symbiotic relationship rather than a clash of titans. Instead of a turf war, we are likely to witness a masterclass in criminal entrepreneurship. As Russell turns small-scale hustles into a structured empire, Frisco King stands poised to become the next cornerstone of the Sheridan universe. Mark your calendars; the king is coming to East Texas this December on Paramount+.
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