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Tulsa King Season 3 will feature Samuel L. Jackson as Russell Lee Washington Jr., a man connected to Dwight Manfredi’s prison past who arrives in Tulsa under orders from the Renzetti crime family to kill him. Instead of carrying out the plan, Russell makes a surprising choice that changes his path and sets up a new storyline.
His introduction is not just another twist for Dwight; it's also the start of a much bigger arc that leads directly to the future spinoff, NOLA King. Jackson's casting in Tulsa King Season 3 was noticed immediately because his character is more than a cameo. He is integrated into the central story long enough to have an impact on Dwight's trajectory and branch off to have his own show.
This makes him both essential to Season 3 and a link to the larger Sheridan universe, so his involvement rebuilds the course of the show in the long term.
Samuel L. Jackson as Russell Lee Washington Jr. in Tulsa King Season 3
In Tulsa King Season 3, Samuel L. Jackson's character is Russell Lee Washington Jr., a man with a direct history with Dwight. Russell is introduced as someone who served time with Dwight in prison, so their relationship, marked by a grudge, goes back years. Russell arrives in Tulsa under the orders of the Renzetti crime syndicate, with a clear goal: to eliminate Dwight from the race.
But the narrative does not take the predictable route. Rather than completing his mission, Russell doesn't follow through. This choice makes him one of the most layered characters in Tulsa King Season 3. His growth creates tension around loyalty, betrayal, and survival, and raises questions about how old prison ties can resurface unexpectedly.
The bigger picture: A bridge to NOLA King
The most intriguing aspect of Samuel L. Jackson's character is that it does not stop with Tulsa King Season 3. Russell Lee Washington Jr. is a transitional character, created to link the main series to a spinoff, NOLA King. Once Russell's arc in Tulsa concludes, he brings the story to New Orleans, where his influence expands on a larger scale.
Tulsa King Season 3 isn't just about Dwight's ongoing struggle to control his Oklahoma crime empire; it's also about setting the stage for a broader crime drama universe. Taylor Sheridan has already developed similar expansive storylines in the Yellowstone universe, and this effort suggests Tulsa King is heading in the same direction.
By introducing Russell in Season 3, the show makes sure the audience is already familiar with him before his lead role in the spinoff.
Multi-episode guest arc
Unlike Dwight in Stallone's series or other main characters, Samuel L. Jackson will not be seen in all episodes of Season 3 of Tulsa King. His character has been advertised as a multi-episode guest arc, which means he will appear for some key episodes but not every one.
This gives his character enough time to make a lasting impression, to befriend Dwight further, and to have a reason for departing New Orleans. For the viewer, it is interesting and convenient. On one hand, it keeps Jackson's payoffs relevant and story-driven rather than thinly spread.
On the other hand, it gives the other cast members space to develop in their own contexts while still finding ways to incorporate Russell's role into the larger narrative.
The Dwight–Russell relationship
Tulsa King Season 3 pays special attention to the Dwight Manfredi-Russell Lee Washington Jr. relationship. Their past is clouded by having served time in jail together, where allegiances and grudges were not strictly defined. When Russell arrives in Tulsa with orders to kill Dwight, the tension is immediate.
Dwight, who has already fought to rebuild himself after twenty-five years inside, is not in the mood to trust anyone, especially someone with direct ties to his past. As the episode progresses, Russell's difficulty in fulfilling his mission becomes more complex. Is he truly choosing an alternate route, or is he manipulating Dwight for his own gain?
The ambiguity creates a sense of unease for both the characters and viewers. Their interactions reveal not only the suspicion within the world of organized crime but also the complex personal relationships that can blur the line between friend and foe.
Bridging Russell into the Season's wider company
There is no shortage of characters in Tulsa King Season 3. Returning cast members Andrea Savage, Martin Starr, and Jay Will join newcomers Frank Grillo, Robert Patrick, and Kevin Pollak. Samuel L. Jackson's Russell Lee Washington Jr. is integrated so seamlessly that his own story isn't cut off but is instead woven into the larger issues Dwight must face.
As Dwight is struggling to consolidate his grip in Tulsa, the arrival of Russell complicates matters. He is caught up in a web of alliances, betrayals, and shifting allegiances that define the season.
Timing: Release and spinoff production
Tulsa King Season 3 premieres on September 21, 2025, on Paramount+. Fans will be introduced to Russell Lee Washington Jr. for the first time and watch his journey unfold throughout the season. He doesn't stay in Tulsa for long, but his leave of absence isn't a goodbye. Production on his spinoff, NOLA King, is already scheduled to start early in 2026, right after his storyline ends.
This schedule shows how thoroughly Jackson's role has been planned. His storyline in Tulsa King Season 3 isn't just a side story; it's the start of an even bigger story that will continue into another series. For Sheridan fans who value continuity with connected storytelling, this approach works and feels intentional.
Samuel L. Jackson's addition to Tulsa King Season 3 is more than just a casting news scoop; it's a storytelling upgrade. He brings weight to Dwight's struggles, forces him to face parts of his past, and also opens the door to a broader crime drama universe.
Russell Lee Washington Jr. embodies danger and potential, and with him, the season will not only revisit old conflicts but also push the story into new territory. By linking two shows, Jackson's character also helps distinguish Tulsa King from other crime dramas.
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It indicates that Season 3 is not only about continuing Dwight's story but also about broadening the series' scope to include new locations and characters.
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