The Lioness unit, led by Joe McNamara (Zoë Saldaña), is an undercover unit dedicated to befriending the wives, girlfriends, or daughters of high-value terrorist targets and working to turn them for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). When an operation goes wrong and the unit loses a key operative, a chance encounter lands Force Recon Marine Cruz Manuelos (Laysla de Oliveira) a place as a Lioness.
Truth and fiction
Special Ops: Lioness is inspired by the true premise of ‘Team Lioness’, which saw female soldiers specifically added to patrols in Iraq in 2003 to search local women, who insurgents were using to smuggle contraband. They often found themselves amid intense fighting, in violation of the US’ Combat Exclusion Policy established in 1948 which excluded women from combat positions. It was only lifted in 2013.
Joe must work to balance life forefront of the war on terror, working under the mentorship of CIA Senior Supervisor Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman), challenging CIA Deputy Director Byron Westfield (Michael Kelly) and US Secretary of State Edwin Mullins (Morgan Freeman). Her husband, oncologist Neil (Dave Annable) keeps their family running while she leads the Lionesses on missions in far-flung locations in a bid to avert another 9/11. This conflict highlights the impossible pull between duty to country and duty to family, illustrating how difficult it can be to ‘have it all’.
Record-breaker
The show became Paramount+'s most-watched global series in the first 24 hours since its two-episode premiere in July 2023 and stars several actors who have played in some of Taylor Sheridan’s other works, including Dave Annable; Austin Hebert, and James Jordan (Yellowstone); Lamonica Garrett (Tucker & 1883) and Stephanie Nur (1883).
Channel director of premium channels at MultiChoice Group Waldimar Pelser says that Special Ops: Lioness brings viewers something new from the Sheridan universe of Westerns and Gangster series. “Yellowstone somehow made a western the most-watched TV show on the planet and this show tackles the Special Ops genre from a totally different perspective that makes it equally compelling and interesting. Between the star-packed cast and a storyline that blends action, deceit, love and redemption, Special Ops: Lioness is set to spark conversation and entertain, in equal measure”.
Catch Special Ops: Lioness on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) for eight episodes, from Monday 26 February at 21:00.
Special Ops: Lioness will be available on DStv Premium on M-Net (Channel 101) from Monday, 26 February 2024, as well as live-streamed on DStv Stream, and will also be available on DStv Catch Up after broadcast. Visit the M-Net Website and join the conversation on X, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.