“Special Ops: Lioness” (2023)

“Special Ops: Lioness” (2023) is a military spy thriller series created by Taylor Sheridan, known for his work on shows like Yellowstone and 1883. This series is part of Sheridan’s expanding TV universe and focuses on covert special operations within the U.S. military, particularly on a highly skilled female operative embedded in enemy territories.

The series revolves around Joe (played by Zoe Saldaña), a hardened CIA operative who leads the Lioness program. This elite program involves placing female operatives undercover in dangerous parts of the world, where they become close to high-value targets to neutralize threats.

The central story follows Cruz Manuelos (played by Laysla De Oliveira), a rough and tough Marine recruit who is pulled into the Lioness program due to her resilience and ability to blend in. Cruz is tasked with infiltrating a terrorist organization by getting close to the wife of a suspected terrorist, placing her in constant danger. The show focuses on the personal struggles she faces with this intense mission and how it intertwines with the broader battle against terrorism.