Samuel L. Jackson Brings His Signature Fire to Tulsa King Season 3
Hold onto your fedoras, crime drama fans! The king of cool himself, Samuel L. Jackson, is strutting into the gritty world of Tulsa King, and honestly, we should have seen this coming from a mile away. When Paramount+ dropped the official trailer for season three, my first reaction was pure, unadulterated excitement mixed with a healthy dose of “how did it take them this long to get Sam Jackson on this show?”
Samuel L. Jackson’s Mysterious New Character Takes Center Stage
In classic Samuel L. Jackson fashion, his character Russell Lee Washington Jr. doesn’t just walk into a scene—he owns it completely. The Tulsa King season three trailer gives us this absolutely perfect moment where Dwight (Sylvester Stallone) approaches Russell in a bar and asks, “Is that a ghost?” Russell’s response? “I bet ain’t nobody seen that coming.”
Now, if that doesn’t sound like vintage Jackson dialogue delivered with that unmistakable swagger we all know and love, I don’t know what does. The man could read a grocery list and make it sound intimidating, so imagine what he’s going to do with actual mob dialogue.
What Makes Samuel L. Jackson Perfect for the Tulsa King Universe
Let’s be real here—Samuel L. Jackson has been perfecting the art of playing dangerous, charismatic characters for decades. From Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction to Nick Fury in the MCU, Jackson knows exactly how to balance menace with charm. His addition to Tulsa King feels like one of those casting decisions that makes you slap your forehead and wonder why nobody thought of it sooner.
The chemistry between Jackson and Stallone is already palpable in the brief trailer footage. These are two actors who’ve been commanding screens for decades, and watching them face off is going to be absolute television gold. Plus, Jackson’s character isn’t just a one-and-done guest appearance—Russell Lee Washington Jr. is getting his own spinoff series called “NOLA King.”
Samuel L. Jackson’s Spinoff Series Promises Even More Drama
Here’s where things get really juicy. According to the official announcement, Jackson’s Russell is initially sent to Tulsa by New York’s Renzetti crime family with one clear mission: take out Dwight Manfredi once and for all. But plot twist—Russell becomes inspired by what Dwight has built in Tulsa and decides he wants a piece of that action for himself back in New Orleans.
It’s like watching a master class in character development unfold. Samuel L. Jackson playing a character who starts as an antagonist but evolves into someone seeking his own second chance? Sign me up immediately. The man has this incredible ability to make you root for characters who, on paper, should be the villain.
The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever in Season 3
Season three isn’t just about adding big names to the cast (though Jackson’s presence certainly doesn’t hurt). The show is expanding Dwight’s empire into the distillery business, which naturally attracts the attention of the Dunmires—a powerful old-money family that doesn’t play by traditional mob rules. Robert Patrick joins as Jeremiah Dunmire, and if you know anything about Robert Patrick’s previous roles, you know this guy can bring some serious menace to the screen.
But let’s not forget the real draw here: watching Samuel L. Jackson navigate this world with his signature intensity. The man has this incredible gift for making every line delivery feel like it could either be a friendly conversation or a death threat, sometimes both at the same time.
Why This Casting Choice Has Fans Buzzing
The success of Tulsa King’s second season (21.1 million global viewers can’t be wrong) proved that audiences are hungry for this kind of crime drama. Adding Jackson to the Tulsa King mix feels like the natural evolution of the show. He brings decades of credibility to the crime genre and a fanbase that spans multiple generations.
Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about seeing Samuel L. Jackson get his own crime family storyline. The man has been the coolest supporting character in countless films—now he gets to be the star of his own criminal empire in New Orleans. Justice at last.
When Tulsa King season three premieres on September 21st, we’re going to witness television history in the making. Two legends of the screen, Jackson and Stallone, sharing scenes and probably trying to out-cool each other in the process.
If you’re not already counting down the days, you’re missing out on what promises to be some seriously compelling television in season three of Tulsa King.
