Release on 07/23/2023 Streaming on Paramount+
Lioness AKA SPECIAL OPS LIONESS, Season 1 & 2
SPECIAL OPS LIONESS, television series is about an American spy, played by the talented Zoe Saldana who is known as Joe McNamara. The spy thriller series is based on an actual US Military program. Taylor Sheridan created the series that was released on Paramount+ streaming platform on July 23, 2023. The series was also renewed for season 2, which premiered on October 27, 2024.
The series is based on a CIA Senior Case Officer who’s in charge of the Lioness program. The primary purpose is to recruit female operatives, known as Lionesses, who goes undercover, gathering entail with the aim of preventing the war on terror.
I am fond of this series because it shows us a more in-depth, captivating side of female soldiers, as well as the strength they possess combining that with the softer, feminine side of the female characters. For instance, in Joe’s case, she’s a wife, married to Neal, a pediatric oncology surgeon, they have two active teenage daughters, a home, an entire life built together and yet, struggles with the guilt of being a working mom. Additionally, her philosophical dilemmas, ideologies are starting to shift by the time we reach season 2, she is trying to balance it all, which is something that many of us women can relate to.
Though, we can use a bit less of family times since a lot of times, it appears to be hollow, lengthening the episode with unnecessary melodramatic. I thought we would get a lot more of that on Season 2, however, still a versatile, well-rounded show.
As each episode progresses, we’re learning more of each character’s personal life, struggles, fears, work-life balance. In contrast, the humorous & clever power dynamics between Joe’s boss and her husband, Errol Meade, played by Martin Donovan and Kaitlyn Meade, CIA supervisor played by the talented Nicole Kidman.
In summary, What I also love about the series is the superb acting, dialogue amongst the cast that draws you in, character build-up, their dynamics with each other and so much more. Sheridan did an outstanding job with this one. The writing, production quality, action, scene transitions, ability to illustrate and add a different angle to a very common spy/espionage movie, that we are all accustomed to is quite remarkable.
