Fans of Taylor Sheridan’s spy thriller series Lioness have been shocked to learn that one of the show’s stars, Jill Wagner, was also the host of an iconic, now-axed ABC game show.
Wagner plays the tough CIA agent Bobby in the series, which follows an all-female team of operatives who go undercover in the war on terror.
However, fans of the series are just now realizing why Wagner seems familiar — as co-host of the popular ABC game show, Wipeout.
As the on-field host, Wagner would interview the contestants after they finished the extreme obstacle course, which included dodging swinging objects, large bouncing balls and balancing on rotating platforms and slippery ramps, usually placed over a large body of water. The show ran from 2008 to 2014.
Wagner said in a recent Instagram video that she was getting messages from fans who had recently made the connection.
“I’m getting sent this video from all my friends. There is this video out that says I was this many days old when I figured out that the host on Wipeout, that Jill, was Lioness Bobby Jill,” she said.
“What about if I told you that Lioness Bobby Jill and host Wipeout Jill was also Teen Wolf Kate Argent Jill, is also Christmas movie Jill? I know, it’s crazy,” she said, referencing her other credits, including the 2011 high school drama Teen Wolf and the Great American Christmas movie franchise.
She continued: “But here’s the thing. Guys, it is our job as actors to fool you. To make you think we’re the characters that we’re playing. So, first of all, thank you. That’s like the biggest compliment: that you people don’t know who I am.”
“I actually kind of prefer it like that,” she added.
Fans shared their amazement online, with one person writing: “My mind is blownnnn!!!”
“I’m waiting for the big red balls in a Lioness episode,” said another, as one person added: “Wow!!!!!!!! Today years old.”
“How could I forgettttt Teen Wolf!!! New memory unlocked!!” said another.
Wagner is also known for leading Hallmark’s Mystery 101 series of TV movies, portraying the English literature professor Amy Winslow who has a penchant for solving strange crimes.
Lioness, which returned with its third season August 2 on Paramount+, follows Zoe Saldaña’s character Joe McNamara, a CIA operative who leads a top-secret group of female special operatives recruited from various branches of the military and tasked with infiltrating terrorist organizations by befriending their wives and daughters. The show also stars Nicole Kidman and Morgan Freeman.
Wagner recently opened up about what it’s like to work with Yellowstone showrunner Taylor Sheridan on the series, saying that the director continually challenged her to be better while filming.
She recalled a day on set where she was rehearsing a difficult sequence with Laysla De Oliveira, who plays Marine-turned-CIA operative Cruz Manuelos.
“Cruz and Bobby have to come in and clear the room, and we were having difficulties with some of the angles,” she said in an interview with People.
She said that by the time they learned the sequence, Sheridan came in and said, “‘No, I think you should switch arms. Transition your weapon to your left arm,’” Wagner recalled.
“And I was just like, ‘Hmm … okay. Help me,’” she said.
She said the challenge paid off. “Ultimately, we worked it out, and it’s probably going to be one of my favorite moments,” she added.
