Taylor Sheridan continued his TV hot streak with the release of Lioness seasons 1 and 2 on Paramount+, but will the special-ops action series get renewed for season 3? Developed for the small screen by Sheridan (Yellowstone), the series concerns Joe (Zoe Saldaña) the leader of a special anti-terrorist wing of the U.S. military that enlists agents to pull off covert missions. Besides the high-stakes action excitement, Lioness also explores ideas like PTSD and the ethics of covert military operations. Along with its strong writing, Lioness was guaranteed to succeed due to its all-star cast as well.

Season 2 picked up in the aftermath of season 1's finale, and finds Joe butting heads with her superiors as they try to expand the workload of the Lioness program. The kidnapping of a U.S. Congresswoman brings the fight to the homefront, and it pushes the limits of what Joe is willing to do for her country. Lioness season 2 is tasked with setting the tone for the show's future, and the story approach will likely influence any installments. Though Lioness season 3 hasn't been confirmed, it isn't hard to see where the show could go in new seasons.

Lioness Season 3 Latest News

Zoe Saldaña's Contract Teases Season 3

Even as the series awaits a renewal for season 3, the latest news confirms that Zoe Saldaña is contracted through Lioness season 3. The multi-billion dollar grossing movie star has turned heads throughout the first two seasons of the Taylor Sheridan series as the troubled, Joe, and she has now revealed that she is on board for more seasons. "I signed up for three seasons at least," revealed Saldaña, perhaps hinting that the series will get renewed soon. On the other hand, her contract could simply be a formality.

Read Saldaña's full comments here:

I wish it was the fact that I had room in my life [laughs]. I signed up for three seasons at least, and so you do have a sort of contractual obligation to fulfill, but Lioness isn’t that only. Lioness has been a journey that has given me the opportunity to collaborate with a different type of filmmaker. Taylor Sheridan is sort of like this cowboy that lives on his own off the grid, and that makes a lot of us curious. Either you get the cadence of his writing and the themes that he wants to always talk about, or you don’t.

Lioness Season 3 Is Not Confirmed

The Taylor Sheridan Series Is Not Renewed Yet

Taylor Sheridan's presence on Paramount+ has become one of the streamer's strongest assets, and there's little doubt that hopes are high for Lioness to succeed. As it stands now, season 3 of the special ops show hasn't been renewed, and there's no telling when the order will come down. Though Sheridan's shows always tend to do well with audiences, they are also often very large and expensive to produce. Hits like Tulsa King and 1923 have scored multiple seasons, and Lioness could become an ongoing success.

• New episodes of Lioness season 2 arrive Sundays on Paramount+.

The future of Lioness, as is the case with almost all TV shows, will be dependent on viewership numbers. The popularity of a show with critics only goes so far, and it will be the volume of audience demand that helps Paramount+ decide on season 3. However, if Lioness season 2 fares like season 1, there's little doubt that a season 3 renewal is just around the corner. A more streamlined production could even help the show return on a more consistent basis, filling the holes left by other streaming shows which take multiple years between outings.

Lioness season 2 premiered on October 27, 2024.

Lioness Season 3 Cast Details

Who Will Return In Season 3?

The cast of Lioness has changed somewhat since the show debuted, and that makes predicting season 3's ensemble somewhat difficult. Keeping an all-star cast together is a challenge, and there's no guarantee that A-listers like Morgan Freeman or Nicole Kidman will stick around for long. However, it's almost certain that Zoe Saldaña will return as the stalwart leader of Lioness, Joe. Until something changes, Nicole Kidman will probably be back as the antagonistic CIA boss, Kaitlyn. Likewise, Morgan Freeman should also return as Secretary of State Edwin Mullins.

Michael Kelly has appeared in both seasons as Kaitlyn's CIA superior, Byron Westfield, and he'll be needed as the show continues to explore the tense relationship between Joe and her CIA handlers. Likewise, Dave Annable should also be back as Joe's husband, Neal. The series also employs a pretty large ensemble that will probably grow and change in season 3. New operatives will come in, and some replacements will likely be needed after the events of season 2. However, predicting those replacements is impossible until more information is available.

The presumptive cast of Lioness season 3 includes:

Lioness Season 2 Story Details

A Rift Is Forming Between Joe & The CIA

each new requirement pushes Joe further and further away from what she thinks Lioness is supposed to be.

Though it's impossible to guess exactly what will happen in Lioness season 3, the sophomore outing sets the stage for the show's future. A new threat has arrived, and it not only tests Joe's resolve as a leader, but also her already strained relationship with her CIA handlers. This will likely continue into season 3, as each new requirement pushes Joe further and further away from what she thinks Lioness is supposed to be. If things go south with her second recruit, it could drive her out of the program for good.

This framework could be the key to success, and shows like Lioness need some sort of formulaic elements to carry over from year to year. Each season could introduce a new threat for Lioness to tackle, while exploring the political machinations of the program. Lioness season 3 might be up in the air for now, but there are a million directions that the series could take.