If you’re watching ‘Tulsa King‘ Season 3, you might’ve noticed a new face who suddenly becomes very important. He doesn’t feel like a short-term guest at all. The show brings him in without much of a buzz, but you can tell he’s there for a bigger reason.
As the episodes go on, it becomes obvious that his storyline is actually building the base for a whole new show called ‘NOLA King‘, and the way they set it up feels really natural.
‘Tulsa King’ Season 3 Uses Lee’s Story To Set Up The Spinoff
The setup truly begins when we meet Russell Lee Washington Jr., played by Samuel L. Jackson. Lee is an aging hitman who works for Quiet Ray, the leader of the Renzetti crime family in New York. Early in the season, Lee carries out a hit for Ray. However, Ray quickly reminds him that he still owes a debt, and the only way to settle it is to kill Dwight. Because of this, Lee travels to Tulsa. But once he sees Dwight again, everything changes.
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Years ago, Dwight saved Lee’s life in prison, and remembering that moment stops Lee from pulling the trigger. As a result, Quiet Ray becomes furious. Soon after, Ray sends two new hitmen to Tulsa to kill both Lee and Dwight. Instead of running, Lee teams up with Dwight. Together, they take down the hitmen, which brings them even closer than before.
From there, Lee also helps Dwight handle his feud with liquor boss Jeremiah Dunmire, played by Robert Patrick. After they take Dunmire down, Lee begins thinking more seriously about his future. At this point, the setup becomes clear. Lee admits that watching Dwight build a new life inspires him.
Because of that, he starts talking about returning to New Orleans, the city he left forty years ago, to begin again. And since the Renzetti family is now after him, leaving Tulsa becomes necessary. Before he goes, he even tells Dwight’s group to look him up if they ever visit New Orleans. This moment gently opens the door to NOLA King.
Tulsa King Makes The Transition Into NOLA King Very Clear
Paramount+ officially confirmed what fans suspected: Tulsa King Season 3 was designed to set up NOLA King. Samuel L. Jackson joined the project in June 2025, and the streamer announced the show in July 2025, explaining that Lee’s introduction this season would be the starting point for the spinoff. According to the official description, Lee goes back to New Orleans because Dwight’s fresh start inspired him.
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Lee wants to reconnect with his family and friends and take control of the city he once abandoned. However, returning home brings new complications. Not only does he anger his former employers in New York, but he also becomes vulnerable to old New Orleans enemies, both criminals and cops.
Even though the full cast hasn’t been shared yet, we know Jackson will lead as Lee. This will be his first time starring in a TV series. According to Stallone, both he and Jackson appreciate roles where they can stay with a character longer instead of jumping between short projects.
Thanks to Tulsa King, we also know that Ray and the Renzetti crime family will not forgive Lee easily. His decision not to kill Dwight creates a conflict that will almost certainly follow him into NOLA King. This gives the spinoff a clear source of tension from the very beginning. So as Season 3 closes with Lee heading toward New Orleans, it becomes obvious that Tulsa King isn’t ending his story; it’s passing him to a brand-new chapter.
So even though NOLA King won’t start filming until 2026, the setup is completely done. Tulsa King uses Season 3 to prepare Lee’s entire journey, and NOLA King will simply continue the story from there.
