Lioness

Rough around the edges but loyal to the mission, Cruz Manuelos is a Marine who catches the CIA's eye and is recruited into a covert program called Lioness. Her task is to work from inside a terrorist network, shifting the balance from within. Zoe Saldaña plays Joe McNamara, the Lioness station chief who trains and shepherds a cadre of undercover operatives. The women blend into dangerous environments, gathering intelligence while dodging detection. The series probes the strain of long silent nights, the price of secrecy, and the tug between camaraderie and duty. As assignments unfold, personal histories test loyalties and the cost of keeping secrets rises. The dynamic between Cruz and her handlers, plus a rotating cast of mentors and rivals, adds tension as missions progress.

Production & Release: Lioness is the creation of Taylor Sheridan. The series features Zoe Saldaña as Joe McNamara alongside Laysla De Oliveira, Dave Annable, Jill Wagner and LaMonica Garrett. It arrived in 2023 to expand Sheridan's political drama catalog.

Reception & Themes: The show has drawn strong early reactions, with an average rating around 8.00 from roughly 1,100 votes. It digs into themes of secrecy versus transparency, the moral weight of covert missions, and how gender dynamics shape teamwork in dangerous, high stake environments.

Cultural Impact: As a 2023 entry from a high profile creator, Lioness offers a modern lens on women in intelligence work and the ethics of operating from the shadows. It invites viewers to consider how representation and power intersect with national security, and how stories about undercover teams inform public perception of real world espionage.

Awards: As of now there are no major nominations or wins publicly listed for Lioness, reflecting its status as a recent entry in a crowded field. The show is drawing attention for performances and its topical themes even without awards.