Lioness (2023)

Special Ops: Lioness (2023) is an action-packed spy thriller centered on the CIA’s covert “Lioness” program. This series follows Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira), a young Marine who is recruited into the program to infiltrate a terrorist group. Her mission involves befriending the daughter of a powerful terrorist financier to bring down the organization from the inside. Under the mentorship of seasoned CIA operative Joe (Zoe Saldaña), Cruz is thrust into a high-stakes world of espionage and undercover operations.
The show explores themes of identity, personal sacrifice, and the moral complexities of working in covert intelligence. It highlights the challenges faced by female operatives in a male-dominated field, bringing a fresh perspective to espionage dramas. With thrilling action sequences and character-driven storytelling, Lioness also delves into the emotional toll of espionage on those who live in the shadows​.

The “Lioness” program recruits female operatives who can infiltrate dangerous terrorist networks by forming close relationships with the wives, sisters, or daughters of high-profile targets. Joe’s latest recruit is Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira), a young Marine with a tough background and promising potential. Together, they navigate the high-stakes world of espionage, military operations, and personal sacrifice as they try to thwart terrorist attacks on American soil.
Set against the backdrop of international terrorism, *Special Ops: Lioness* explores the emotional and physical toll these missions take on the operatives involved. Joe’s personal struggles, including her fractured family life, add depth to her character as she balances her career and the dangerous missions at hand.
The series is filled with intense action sequences, suspenseful espionage, and psychological drama, featuring strong performances from the lead actors, including Nicole Kidman as Kaitlyn Meade, a CIA supervisor overseeing the mission. The series captures both the ruthlessness of counter-terrorism and the vulnerability of those involved in such operations.