Tulsa King: The Blueprint for a New Crime Franchise
Taylor Sheridan has mastered the art of transforming television into expansive universes, and Tulsa King is rapidly emerging as his next great canvas. Known for gripping Westerns and smart, character-driven dramas, Sheridan’s latest endeavors go well beyond the world of Yellowstone — now, crime, loyalty, and reinvention provide fertile ground for a streaming strategy that’s connecting with global audiences.
Frisco King: The First Tulsa King Spinoff
The spotlight now shifts to Frisco King, a direct extension of the Tulsa King universe. Starring Samuel L. Jackson reprising his formidable role as Russell Lee Washington Jr., Frisco King delves into the criminal networks tied to Dwight Manfredi’s complicated past. The series doesn’t feel like a mere afterthought; instead, it leverages established lore and rich character histories to deepen the universe. With Russell’s roots already intertwined with Dwight’s story, Frisco King stands poised to both honor and expand the mythos that fans have grown to love.
Sheridan’s Hands-On Approach Sets the Tone
Creative oversight has shifted squarely onto Sheridan’s shoulders, with the creator himself writing every episode of Frisco King’s first season. Paramount+ has indicated its seriousness by making this change, ensuring the spinoff isn’t a diluted offshoot but a true companion series. This mirrors Sheridan’s approach with Yellowstone, where hands-on involvement led to breakout hits like 1883 and 1923, each exploring different timelines and perspectives while maintaining narrative integrity.
Organized Crime as a Shared Universe Playground
While Yellowstone’s prequels focused on family legacy, Tulsa King uses the wider scope of crime drama to open the doors much wider. Instead of a single dynasty, the show thrives on webs of loyalty, betrayal, and power across cities and crews. Mob stories naturally lend themselves to interconnected storytelling, allowing Sheridan to seed potential new series around any memorable rival or ally introduced. This strategy gives Tulsa King a spinoff flexibility unmatched by most franchises—Frisco King is just the beginning.
Crime drama fans recognize the appeal: interlinked sagas such as The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, and Gomorrah found new life and audiences by exploring criminal networks rather than keeping strict focus on one setting or family. Sheridan adapts that tradition for streaming’s universe-building era, crafting a world where each new city or criminal operation offers franchise potential. With Dwight Manfredi’s tale able to traverse state lines and prison histories ripe for backstory exploration, the Tulsa King model feels almost limitless.
Distinct From Other Sheridan Hits
Sheridan’s other acclaimed series — like Mayor of Kingstown — may have compelling characters but are tightly bound to a single location or institutional structure, making spinoffs harder to develop organically. Tulsa King, in contrast, features a protagonist built for movement: Manfredi isn’t anchored to any one place, and his influence easily threads through new settings, giving storytellers room to breathe.
Another key advantage is Tulsa King’s tone. Unlike the weighty, relentless atmosphere of prison-bound dramas, this series offers viewers charm, a touch of humor, and the charisma of Sylvester Stallone’s old-school mob boss. This balance has made Tulsa King one of Paramount+’s most appealing offerings, connecting with audiences who seek thrilling crime tales that don’t sacrifice relatability or fun.
The Future: Where Could Tulsa King Go Next?
With the success of Frisco King, the door is wide open for even more expansions. Any character connected to Dwight’s 25-year incarceration, or allies from earlier seasons, could anchor a new series set in a different region or era. Sheridan’s hands-on style means these stories are far more likely to remain cohesive, interconnected, and worthy of fan investment. As Tulsa King lays down the blueprint for organized crime universes on TV, don’t be surprised to see further innovative spinoffs shaping the streaming landscape in the coming years.
