Since NOLA King Has Lost Its Showrunner, Taylor Sheridan Should Call Godfather of Harlem Co-creator Chris Brancato

Taylor Sheridan’s New Orleans spinoff needs the right voice – and the Godfather of Harlem co-creator could be perfect for the job.

Looks like NOLA King, the spinoff of Tulsa King, has hit a major bump.

That’s right, showrunner Dave Erickson, who also wrote the pilot of the upcoming show, has stepped down from his role as per Deadline.

At present, he’s busy with Tulsa King Season 3 and also leading Taylor Sheridan’s Mayor of Kingstown.

So, with this packed schedule, he just couldn’t take on another show at the moment.

This leaves NOLA King without a showrunner just as it’s gearing up for production.

Now, the team behind the show needs to find a replacement fast, also giving Sheridan a chance to bring someone like Chris Brancato.

He’s famous for co-creating Godfather of Harlem, a crime drama that’s smart and filled with strong characters, exactly what NOLA King needs.

So, with a lead like Samuel L. Jackson and New Orleans as the setting, Chris Brancato could be the one to make NOLA King live up to its promise.

If Taylor Sheridan Wants NOLA King to Work, He Needs to Hire Chris Brancato

Chris Brancato in an interview | Credits: Family Theatre Productions/YouTube

NOLA King is already shaping up to be an important piece in Taylor Sheridan‘s growing cinematic universe.

With actor Samuel L.

Jackson all set to play Russell Lee Washington Jr., a New Orleans crime boss introduced in Tulsa King Season 3, the spinoff is said to expand the Yellowstone creator’s universe into fresh territory.

But for NOLA King to fully live up to its potential, after Dave Erickson’s stepping down, the show needs a showrunner who can balance sharp character writing and a sense of cultural authenticity.

And for this, Godfather of Harlem creator Chris Brancato would definitely be a perfect choice.

He’s a big name in the crime drama genre, famous for his take on complex characters and grounded storytelling.

He’s also the face behind Narcos, which ran for seven seasons across its original and spinoff series.

While Godfather of Harlem, now in its fourth season, is also praised for blending real history with crime politics.

Beyond these hits, he’s also involved in projects and shows like The X-Files, Hannibal, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and also penned Hoodlum (a period gangster movie).

So, for NOLA King, which is set against the rich backdrop of New Orleans, a showrunner like Brancato would be perfect.

If Sheridan wants this series to resonate on the same level as Tulsa King and Yellowstone, hiring Chris Brancato would definitely be a good idea and a smart move he could make right now.

From Narcos to Godfather of Harlem: Chris Brancato Has Been Shaping Crime TV for Over 25 Years

Forest Whitaker in a still from Godfather of Harlem | Credits: Epix

Chris Brancato has been shaping the world of crime television for more than 25 years now.

From his early days in network TV to building some of the most acclaimed crime dramas out there, he’s surely come a long way.

He started out writing for shows like The X-Files, Beverly Hills, and 90210, where he learned to craft strong characters and gripping plots.

But his real entry into the genre happened with the 1997 movie Hoodlum, which followed Harlem gangsters in the 1930s.

This was just the beginning of his cinematic career, and he also made a major mark with the Netflix hit Narcos. He followed this up with Narcos: Mexico, keeping the franchise alive and fresh.

In 2019, he launched Godfather of Harlem starring Forest Whitaker in the lead.

Even today, he continues to create new projects like Hotel Cocaine and The Westies for MGM+.

So, whether it’s drug lords, mob bosses, or corrupt systems, Chris Brancato always brings a human touch to the world of crime.

And even after decades in the business, he still remains one of the most trusted names in the genre.

Do you think Chris Brancato has what it takes to lead NOLA King? Let us know in the comments below.

You can currently watch Godfather of Harlem in the USA on Amazon Prime and Hulu.