In a recent interview with Comicbook.com, Zoe Saldaña, star of the spy thriller series Special Ops: Lioness, shared her thoughts on the show's future. While there were doubts about a potential renewal, Saldaña expressed her hopes for a second season. Created by Taylor Sheridan, known for his work on Yellowstone, the Paramount+ show premiered in July 2023 and has garnered attention for its gripping storyline.
Based on a real-life CIA program, Special Ops: Lioness follows the journey of Cruz Manuelos, portrayed by Laysla De Oliveira. Cruz, a young Marine, is recruited to join the CIA's Lioness Engagement Team in an effort to dismantle a terrorist organization from within. Alongside Saldaña and De Oliveira, the star-studded cast includes Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Kelly from House of Cards.
The uncertain future of the show was hinted at by De Oliveira, who expressed her uncertainties recently. Saldaña echoed similar sentiments, citing the impact of the writers' and actors' strikes on the spy thriller's chances of continuation. Despite this, Special Ops: Lioness has received positive feedback for its viewership and even secured a physical media release.
Saldaña shed light on the aspects of the series that resonated with the audience, stating, 'It's driven by women, where women are at the helm. And they're wearing hats that men normally wear.' Furthermore, the Avatar alum acknowledged the hurdles faced by the show during its promotion due to the strike. However, the dedication of the fanbase is evident as the series became the most-watched on Paramount+ in its first month, a fact that made both the cast and the studio grateful and excited.
The mention of the Hollywood strikes also brings to mind another Paramount+ series, Wolf Pack, which was recently canceled despite being on track for renewal. The strikes resulted in delays, increased advertising costs, and a need to cut spending for the streamer, ultimately leading to its cancelation. This raises questions about the fate of Special Ops: Lioness, as it has been several months since the first season ended.
Nevertheless, there might be hope for Special Ops: Lioness season 2, considering its success on Paramount+. The show broke viewership records, becoming the most-watched global series premiere in its first 24 hours. It surpassed popular shows like Yellowstone and Halo, receiving recognition on the Nielsen streaming charts as well. These achievements indicate the strong performance of the spy thriller relative to other Paramount+ originals.
At present, only three high-profile Paramount+ originals remain unrenewed. Besides Special Ops: Lioness, there is the Frasier revival, which Kelsey Grammer, the star and executive producer, hinted will likely return. The other pending decision is for Lawmen: Bass Reeves, another series involving Taylor Sheridan. With the future of these freshman shows hanging in the balance, fans await news in the upcoming weeks and months, hoping for the continuation of these gripping stories.
For those who haven't yet delved into Special Ops: Lioness, all episodes are available for streaming on Paramount+.
