In a television landscape crowded with espionage thrillers, Lioness, the Taylor Sheridan-created series streaming on Paramount+, has emerged as a blazing force that outshines even the acclaimed Slow Horses. With its second season, which premiered on October 27, 2024, Lioness delivers a darker, deadlier, and more explosive saga that has critics and fans alike buzzing with excitement. Led by Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldaña, the show follows an all-female CIA team navigating a treacherous world of deadly secrets, shocking betrayals, and high-stakes missions where a single misstep could spell disaster. Critics are calling it a game-changer, with some declaring it makes Slow Horses’ sardonic spies look tame by comparison. As Lioness cements its place as a must-watch thriller, here’s an in-depth look at why this series is redefining the genre.
A Powerhouse Cast and a Bold Premise
At the heart of Lioness is its stellar ensemble, anchored by Zoe Saldaña as Joe McNamara, a battle-hardened CIA station chief who leads the Lioness program—a covert unit that deploys female operatives to infiltrate terrorist networks by befriending their wives, daughters, and girlfriends. Saldaña’s portrayal is a tour de force, blending icy professionalism with raw vulnerability as Joe balances her high-stakes career with a fractured family life. Nicole Kidman, also an executive producer, stars as Kaitlyn Meade, a senior CIA supervisor whose political savvy and steely resolve make her a formidable force in Washington’s corridors of power. Their dynamic—Joe’s field grit clashing with Kaitlyn’s calculated maneuvering—forms the emotional and strategic core of the series.
The cast is rounded out by Laysla De Oliveira as Cruz Manuelos, a former Marine turned Delta Force operator who evolves from rookie to seasoned handler, and Morgan Freeman, promoted to a series regular in Season 2 as U.S. Secretary of State Edwin Mullins. Michael Kelly’s CIA Deputy Director Byron Westfield, Dave Annable as Joe’s husband Neal, and Jill Wagner as QRF leader Bobby add depth, while new additions like Genesis Rodriguez and Thad Luckinbill bring fresh energy. This ensemble, backed by Sheridan’s signature storytelling, elevates Lioness into a gripping exploration of loyalty, sacrifice, and the cost of power.
Inspired by the real-life Team Lioness program from the Iraq War, where female U.S. Marines were embedded with combat units to gather intelligence, the series takes creative liberties to craft a modern, high-octane narrative. Unlike Slow Horses, which revels in the bureaucratic missteps of MI5’s misfits, Lioness plunges into the visceral chaos of CIA black ops, where every mission teeters on the edge of catastrophe. Season 1, which debuted in July 2023, set the stage with Joe and Cruz navigating a Middle Eastern terrorist network, only to face devastating losses and personal tolls. Season 2 shifts the action closer to home, with a crisis unfolding on U.S. soil that demands precision under intense scrutiny.
A Darker, Deadlier Season 2
Season 2 of Lioness raises the stakes to dizzying heights, delivering a narrative that’s both emotionally raw and relentlessly intense. The season opens with the brutal abduction of a U.S. congresswoman, setting off a chain of events that pulls Joe and her team into a high-profile operation. Unlike the Middle East-focused Season 1, this crisis hits close to American borders, amplifying the pressure as the CIA faces oversight from Freeman’s Mullins, Kidman’s Kaitlyn, and Kelly’s Westfield. The season’s first episode alone, described by TVLine as “gangbusters,” features a white-knuckle firefight that surpasses the action of SEAL Team, showcasing Sheridan’s ability to wield a larger budget for cinematic spectacle.
The plot follows Joe as she recruits a new Lioness, Josephina (Genesis Rodriguez), under Cruz’s guidance, to infiltrate a dangerous network tied to the abduction. The missions are fraught with peril—think covert infiltrations, explosive ambushes, and betrayals that cut deep. One teaser scene shows Joe navigating a tense standoff in a Texas border town, where a single wrong move could ignite an international incident. The games are no longer just about intelligence-gathering; they’re about dismantling a conspiracy that threatens national security. Sheridan, who wrote all 16 episodes across both seasons, infuses the story with his trademark blend of gritty realism and moral ambiguity, forcing characters to confront impossible choices.
Thematically, Lioness dives deeper into the cost of espionage. Joe’s struggle to balance her role as a mother and wife with her duties as a CIA operative reaches a breaking point, with Saldaña delivering a performance that TVLine calls “a force of f–king nature.” Kaitlyn’s political maneuvering reveals the compromises required to wield power, while Cruz’s evolution into a handler showcases her resilience and scars. The series doesn’t shy away from the psychological toll of covert work, with scenes of Joe grappling with guilt and Cruz facing the ghosts of Season 1’s losses. Betrayals—both personal and professional—drive the narrative, as allies turn foes and secrets unravel with devastating consequences.
Why Lioness Outshines Slow Horses
While Slow Horses thrives on its witty, character-driven take on espionage, Lioness goes for the jugular with its unrelenting intensity and bold stakes. Where Slow Horses revels in the absurdity of bureaucratic failures, Lioness embraces the chaos of high-stakes missions, delivering action sequences that rival big-budget films. The all-female focus of the Lioness program adds a fresh perspective, exploring how women navigate power in a male-dominated field. Unlike the disgraced spies of Slough House, the Lioness operatives are elite, their every move scrutinized by the highest levels of government. This dynamic creates a pressure cooker atmosphere, where one mistake could end not just a mission but lives.
Critics have praised Lioness for its fearless approach. Variety notes that Season 2 “amplifies the raw energy of its predecessor, with Saldaña and Kidman delivering performances that sear the screen.” The Wrap calls it “a thriller that doesn’t just entertain—it devastates,” highlighting its emotional depth. On social media, fans on X have dubbed it “Slow Horses on steroids,” with one post raving, “This makes MI5 look like a desk job. Lioness is pure adrenaline.” The show’s 90% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes for Season 2, up from 76% for Season 1, reflects its growing acclaim, with audiences drawn to its blend of action and introspection.
A Cinematic Triumph
Directed by a roster of talents including Paul Cameron and Anthony Byrne, Lioness boasts a cinematic quality that sets it apart. The Texas landscapes of Season 2, a shift from Baltimore and Mallorca in Season 1, provide a stark, sprawling backdrop for the action. Cinematographer Lynsey Addario captures the tension with sweeping drone shots and claustrophobic close-ups, while Andrew Lockington’s score, previously featured in Sheridan’s Mayor of Kingstown, amplifies the suspense. Sheridan’s dialogue, described by Saldaña as “wordy” and “dialogue-heavy,” demands precision, adding gravitas to every exchange.
The series’ roots in the real Team Lioness program lend authenticity, though Sheridan takes liberties to heighten the drama. Unlike Slow Horses’ fictional MI5, Lioness draws on the CIA’s real-world use of female operatives, giving it a grounded edge. Yet, it’s not without flaws—some critics note pacing issues and occasional reliance on tropes—but the stellar cast and bold storytelling overshadow these quibbles.
A Cultural Moment
Lioness has sparked conversations about women in espionage, with its focus on female strength and sacrifice resonating in a post-#MeToo era. Saldaña and Kidman’s off-screen friendship, described as “love at first sight,” mirrors their characters’ complex bond, adding authenticity to their performances. The show’s exploration of systemic barriers—whether Kaitlyn’s political battles or Cruz’s fight against exploitation—strikes a chord, making it more than just a thriller.
As Lioness dominates Paramount+ and prepares for a potential UK release on ITVX in 2026, it’s clear this series is a cultural juggernaut. With no confirmation yet on a third season, Season 2’s eight episodes are a masterclass in storytelling, leaving viewers hungry for more. Forget Slow Horses’ sly charm—Lioness is a ruthless, heart-pounding saga that redefines what a spy thriller can be. Tune in to Paramount+ and brace for a ride that’s darker, deadlier, and more explosive than anything you’ve seen.
