Created by Taylor Sheridan.
Lioness premiered on July 23, 2023.
Distributed by Paramount+.
Series Review
Special Ops: Lioness is an exciting spy drama that mixes action, emotion, and tough choices.
The story follows CIA officer Joe, played by Zoe Saldaña, who runs a secret program where female agents go undercover to stop terrorist threats.
In Season 1, we see Cruz, played by Laysla De Oliveira, trained and sent on a dangerous mission.
The season is full of suspense, emotional struggles, and powerful female performances.
Season 2 raises the stakes with bigger missions, more danger, and deeper conflicts between duty and morality.
The series stands out for its realistic action, strong acting, and emotional depth.
While some parts move slowly, it’s still gripping and filled with heart and tension.
Overall, Special Ops: Lioness is perfect for fans who love spy stories with drama, courage, and powerful women at the center.
Ratings
• IMDb: 7.8/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 73%
• Google Audience Score: 82% liked this TV show.
Special Ops: Lioness Actors
Zoe Saldaña as Joe McNamara
DOB: June 19, 1978.
Bio: American actress and producer whose career spans major franchises and prestige projects alike.
Known for her commanding physical presence and emotional depth, she has become one of the most bankable and respected stars in Hollywood.
Over more than two decades, Saldaña has brought intelligence and strength to roles that blend action and vulnerability, and she continues to expand her work behind the camera as a producer.
Role: Joe McNamara, a seasoned CIA case officer who leads the covert Lioness program, a high-stakes mission unit that recruits female operatives to infiltrate terrorist networks.
Joe is a professional strategist and hardened field leader who must balance her intense, morally demanding work with the strains of family life.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (16 episodes).
What to Expect: A layered lead performance: tough in the field, tender at home, and always carrying the burden of command decisions that cost lives.
Interesting facts: Saldaña is also an executive producer on the series and was personally sought out by showmakers for the role.
Notable Works: Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water, Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, Star Trek films.
Laysla De Oliveira as Cruz Manuelos
DOB: January 11, 1992.
Bio: Canadian actress born in Toronto, Ontario.
She began her career in modeling before transitioning to acting, earning early attention for her emotional range and grounded screen presence.
De Oliveira gained recognition through roles in genre projects that showcased her intensity and versatility, leading to her breakout performance in Special Ops: Lioness.
Role: Cruz Manuelos, a young U.S. Marine Force Recon sniper recruited into the CIA’s Lioness program.
Her character is tasked with going deep undercover to infiltrate a powerful terrorist network through the daughter of a high-value target.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (16 episodes).
What to Expect: Intense physical sequences, a quietly explosive emotional core, and a character who changes the more she’s forced to survive.
Interesting facts: Cruz’s return in Season 2 was a creative decision by Taylor Sheridan after Season 1, expanding her story in surprising ways.
Notable Works: Locke & Key, In the Tall Grass, Guest of Honour.
Dave Annable as Dr. Neal McNamara
DOB: September 15, 1979.
Bio: American actor from Suffern, New York, best known for his grounded, emotionally accessible performances on television.
A graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh, Annable built his career playing warm, relatable characters often caught between personal and professional conflict.
Role: Dr. Neal McNamara, a pediatric oncologist and the husband of CIA officer Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña).
Neal represents the show’s emotional and moral center, a man devoted to his family but struggling to understand the shadowy world his wife inhabits.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (16 episodes).
What to Expect: Scenes that give the show emotional ballast, family fights, quiet tenderness, and moral tension with Joe’s secretive work.
Interesting facts: Annable’s real-life wife, Odette Annable, appears alongside him in other projects, and he has spoken about drawing on his real experiences as a husband and father to bring depth to Neal’s family dynamics.
Notable Works: Brothers & Sisters, 666 Park Avenue, Heartbeat.
Nicole Kidman as Kaitlyn Meade
DOB: June 20, 1967.
Bio: Academy Award-winning Australian actor and producer known for her extraordinary versatility and commanding screen presence.
Over a career spanning four decades, she has built one of Hollywood’s most respected filmographies, moving seamlessly between intimate character studies and large-scale productions.
Role: Kaitlyn Meade, a senior CIA officer within the Clandestine Service who oversees Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña) and the Lioness program.
Kaitlyn operates in the political and moral gray zones of intelligence work, balancing loyalty to her agents with the realities of Washington oversight.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (16 episodes).
What to Expect: A cool, controlled authority performance that often carries the show’s moral and political balancing acts.
Interesting facts: Kidman joined Lioness early in development as both star and executive producer.
Her involvement was pivotal in securing Taylor Sheridan’s partnership and elevating the project’s prestige within Paramount+.
Notable Works: The Hours (Oscar win), Big Little Lies, Moulin Rouge!, The Undoing.
Jill Wagner as Bobby
DOB: January 13, 1979.
Bio: American actress, television host, and producer born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
A graduate of North Carolina State University, she first gained national attention as the co-host of Wipeout before establishing herself in scripted television and Hallmark movies.
Role: Bobby, the commander of the Lioness program’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF).
Bobby is the field leader responsible for keeping missions on track and her team safe when operations spiral into chaos.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (16 episodes).
What to Expect: Tough, practical leadership and some of the show’s best combat/teamwork moments.
Interesting facts: Wagner originated the idea for the show during a conversation at her farm, she later helped shepherd it to production and is an executive producer.
Notable Works: Wipeout (host), Teen Wolf, Blade: The Series, Mystery 101 film series.
LaMonica Garrett as Tucker
DOB: May 23, 1975.
Bio: American actor and former professional athlete, born in San Francisco, California.
Known for his commanding presence and calm authority, Garrett transitioned from a brief football career into acting, building a reputation for strength, intelligence, and integrity on screen.
Role: Tucker, a key member of the Lioness program’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF) and a trusted ally to Bobby.
A former Marine, Tucker brings tactical precision, physical power, and veteran experience to every mission.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (16 episodes).
What to Expect: Solid action beats, leadership presence in the field, and strong team chemistry.
Interesting facts: Garrett has been a recurring presence in Taylor Sheridan projects, which boosts the show’s tonal continuity.
Notable Works: Designated Survivor, 1883, Arrowverse series (Elseworlds crossover), Sons of Anarchy.
James Jordan as Two Cups
DOB: March 14, 1979.
Bio: American actor born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Claremont, California.
A familiar face in the Taylor Sheridan universe, Jordan has built a strong career playing tough, understated characters with quiet emotional gravity.
Role: Two Cups, a core member of the Lioness program’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF).
He is the team’s pragmatic operator, a man defined by his focus, endurance, and calm in high-stress situations.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (16 episodes).
What to Expect: Low-volume intensity and dependable fieldwork scenes.
Interesting facts: Jordan is part of Taylor Sheridan’s core group of recurring actors, having appeared in several of his projects.
Notable Works: Yellowstone, Wind River, Mayor of Kingstown, Those Who Wish Me Dead.
Austin Hébert as Randy
DOB: N/A
Bio: American actor known for his grounded, physical performances in both film and television.
He often portrays soldiers, law enforcement, or blue-collar characters, bringing a natural authenticity and understated toughness to his roles.
Role: Randy, a key member of the Lioness program’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF).
As part of Bobby’s tightly knit team, Randy stands out for his dependability and quiet humor, grounding the group when the intensity spikes.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (16 episodes).
What to Expect: Realistic small-unit work, believable reactions in high stress, and tight stunt/action work.
Interesting facts: Hébert’s background in military and procedural dramas gives him an advantage in playing soldiers and agents with credibility.
Notable Works: Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, Above Suspicion, The Answer.
Jonah Wharton as Tex
DOB: N/A
Bio: American actor recognized for his authentic screen presence and natural chemistry within ensemble casts.
He has built a growing career in action and drama projects, often portraying soldiers or tactical team members with believable precision.
Role: Tex, a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) operative who balances loyalty, humor, and reliability in the field.
Though not the loudest in the room, Tex embodies the camaraderie and competence that keep the Lioness missions running smoothly.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (16 episodes).
What to Expect: Naturalism in group dynamics and solid action support.
Interesting facts: Wharton’s birthday has been celebrated by the cast on social channels, which speaks to a close knit ensemble culture.
Notable Works: Emerging TV credits; Lioness is a breakout for him.
Stephanie Nur as Aaliyah Amrohi
DOB: May 6, 1988.
Bio: Egyptian-born Austrian-Syrian actor whose career spans international film, television, and theater.
Known for her emotional intelligence and linguistic versatility, she has built a reputation for bringing depth and authenticity to globally diverse characters.
Role: Aaliyah Amrohi, the daughter of a powerful businessman suspected of funding terrorism.
Aaliyah’s relationship with undercover agent Cruz Manuelos forms the emotional centerpiece of Season 1, blurring lines between trust, affection, and duty.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1 (8 episodes).
What to Expect: A layered performance that humanizes someone caught between privilege, politics and danger.
Interesting facts: Nur’s multilingual background and international career helped sell the character’s cultural authenticity.
Notable Works: 1883, My Big Fat Greek, international films and TV.
Hannah Love Lanier as Kate McNamara
DOB: February 27, 2008.
Bio: her natural emotional range and expressive presence on screen.
Despite her young age, she has already demonstrated a maturity that allows her to hold her own alongside veteran performers.
Role: Kate McNamara, the teenage daughter of Joe (Zoe Saldaña) and Dr. Neal McNamara (Dave Annable).
Kate’s emotional struggles and moments of rebellion serve as the emotional counterweight to Joe’s covert missions, highlighting the sacrifices and emotional cost of a double life.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (16 episodes).
What to Expect: Real teenage beats, stumbles, confrontation scenes and tender moments that humanize Joe.
Interesting facts: Lanier has shared glimpses of the Lioness set on social media, emphasizing the mentorship and support she’s received from her co-stars, particularly Zoe Saldaña.
Notable Works: Early TV credits; Lioness is a major ongoing role.
Morgan Freeman as Edwin Mullins
DOB: June 1, 1937.
Bio: Morgan Freeman is an acting legend whose gravitas instantly elevates any project.
He brings gravitas and world-weariness to political and institutional roles, and his presence often signals high-stakes storytelling.
Role: Edwin Mullins, the U.S. Secretary of State, introduced in Season 2 as the public face of American diplomacy.
Mullins operates at the highest levels of government, managing the political repercussions of the Lioness program’s covert missions.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (10 episodes).
What to Expect: A calm, authoritative turn that frames the field operations in a broader geopolitical context.
Interesting facts: Freeman’s promotion to a larger role coincided with Season 2’s expanded political storyline.
Notable Works: Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby.
More Actors
Season 1 (2023)
• Michael Kelly as Byron Westfield (CIA Deputy Director).
• Thad Luckinbill as Kyle.
• Bruce McGill as Hollar.
• Jennifer Ehle as Mason.
Season 2 (2024)
• Genesis Rodriguez as Captain Josephina Carrillo.
• Max Martini as Tracer.
• Sofie Calderon as Atzi.
FAQ – Lioness TV Series
Is Lioness based on a true story?
The show is fictional. It is loosely inspired by the real concept of “Team Lioness” used in Iraq, but the characters and plot are dramatized.
How many seasons and episodes are there so far?
Two seasons are available, with a total of 16 episodes across both seasons.
Is Lioness renewed for Season 3?
Yes. Paramount+ confirmed a Season 3 renewal in 2025. Filming and casting news indicate production activity in North Texas. More on Deadline
Where was it filmed?
Production has used multiple U.S. locations, including Baltimore and Texas for Season 2.
Specific episodes and scenes were shot in places like Mallorca and Cape Henlopen during production.
Where can I watch it?
The series streams on Paramount+. Availability on other services can vary by region.
Conclusion
Special Ops: Lioness delivers a powerful mix of espionage, emotion, and empowerment.
With standout performances from Zoe Saldaña and Laysla De Oliveira, the series captures both the intensity of undercover missions and the emotional cost of living a double life.
Each season raises the tension, showing how far these women will go for duty and loyalty.
It’s not just an action show, it’s a story about sacrifice, courage, and survival.
For fans of military thrillers and character-driven drama, Lioness is one of the most engaging spy series in recent years.