NOLA King: Taylor Sheridan’s Samuel L. Jackson Drama Must Avoid Yellowstone’s Repetition Trap

Taylor Sheridan has built an empire of gritty dramas, but with every new project comes a higher risk of repeating the same formula. His upcoming series, NOLA King, starring none other than Samuel L. Jackson, is already one of the most talked-about shows in development. The premise promises intensity, swagger, and the unique New Orleans backdrop that could set it apart from Sheridan’s previous creations. Yet fans and critics alike are already sounding alarms, warning that the show must avoid the very mistake that Tulsa King — and even Yellowstone at times — fell victim to: relying too heavily on Sheridan’s well-worn storytelling tropes without allowing freshness to lead the way.

When Tulsa King launched with Sylvester Stallone, the hype was enormous. A legendary star paired with Sheridan’s signature brand of modern grit seemed like a winning formula. And to an extent, it was — the show pulled strong ratings and built a loyal following. But cracks quickly showed. Critics pointed out the recycled narrative beats: a tough, morally ambiguous antihero, a criminal underworld set against a regional backdrop, and supporting characters orbiting in predictable arcs. While entertaining, the series lacked the boldness and unpredictability that once made Sheridan’s projects feel groundbreaking. Instead, it leaned on the same structures that had already defined Yellowstone and its sprawling spin-offs.

Now comes NOLA King, and the stakes are even higher. Samuel L. Jackson is not just any leading man; he’s one of the most versatile and commanding actors of his generation. Pairing his immense talent with Sheridan’s world-building could create lightning in a bottle — but only if the show resists slipping into Tulsa King’s shadows. Audiences don’t want to see Jackson walk the same path Stallone did, just transplanted from Tulsa to New Orleans. They want a story that leverages the unique cultural fabric, history, and energy of New Orleans itself — a city unlike any other in America.

The “Yellowstone mistake” that Sheridan risks repeating is his tendency to stretch a simple premise across multiple projects, banking on star power and scenery rather than digging deeper into truly innovative narratives. With Yellowstone, fans grew weary of repetitive family feuds, land battles, and betrayals. With Tulsa King, the “aging tough guy finding his place in a new criminal world” story felt like déjà vu. If NOLA King goes down that same road, even Samuel L. Jackson’s brilliance won’t be enough to shield it from backlash.

What Sheridan should do differently is clear:

1. Make New Orleans a character, not just a backdrop. The city’s culture, music, politics, and history offer a goldmine of fresh storytelling that can’t be replicated elsewhere.

2. Lean into Jackson’s range. He’s more than just a tough-talking leader — he can bring depth, vulnerability, and explosive unpredictability that Stallone’s character in Tulsa King never fully explored.

3. Break away from the formula. Audiences are smart; they’ll recognize recycled arcs instantly. Sheridan must push beyond cattle wars, mafia tropes, and familiar power struggles.

4. Keep it focused. Unlike Yellowstone, which sometimes gets lost in sprawling subplots, NOLA King should commit to a tighter, sharper narrative.

If Sheridan takes these lessons to heart, NOLA King could stand tall as a bold, thrilling reinvention rather than a reheated version of past successes. But if he ignores them, the series risks becoming another costly repetition — proof that even an empire as mighty as Sheridan’s can collapse under its own weight.