The second season of Paramount+’s explosive spy thriller Lioness is here, bringing back a star-studded team while introducing dangerous new players. The series, created by Taylor Sheridan, continues to follow the CIA’s Lioness Program, which recruits female operatives to go undercover in high-stakes environments. With the fight against terror moving closer to home, here is a complete guide to who plays whom in the new season.
The Lioness Program Leadership
At the heart of the action is the leadership team directing the perilous operations from the top down.
Zoe Saldaña returns as Joe McNamara, the authoritative CIA senior case officer in charge of the Lioness Program. Joe is a powerful figure who operates in the shadows while making serious personal sacrifices for her job. She is tasked with balancing the immense pressure from her superiors with the safety of her operatives on the ground.
Nicole Kidman reprises her role as Kaitlyn Meade, the head of the CIA’s Clandestine Service and Joe’s direct superior. Kaitlyn plays a critical role in overseeing operations and defending the program to those with higher authority. Season 2 continues to explore her struggle to balance the demands of her high-stakes job with her personal life and marriage.
Michael Kelly is back as Byron Westfield, the CIA Deputy Director of Operations and Kaitlyn’s boss. He is involved in developing operational strategy and is often seen relaying the sometimes-messy demands of the government to the Lioness team.
A key figure from the government is Edwin Mullins, the U.S. Secretary of State, played by Morgan Freeman. Promoted to a series regular for season two, Mullins is a hard-nosed leader with little sympathy for the operatives in the field, often pushing the program to gather intel that falls outside its usual scope.
The Operatives In The Field
This season features a mix of returning fan favorites and a crucial new recruit who changes the game for the team.
Laysla De Oliveira returns as Cruz Manuelos, but in a changed capacity. After her intense experience as the first Lioness operative in Season 1, Cruz now serves as a Delta Force operator and Joe’s handler for the new recruit. Her past trauma and hard-earned experience make her an invaluable asset in guiding the next Lioness.
The newest and most pivotal addition to the cast is Genesis Rodriguez as Captain Josephina “Josie” Carrillo. Josie is a US Army Apache pilot recruited into the Lioness program specifically because of her family connection to a powerful Mexican cartel. Her expertise as a pilot and her inside knowledge make her a strong but complicated asset for the mission.
The tough-as-nails Quick Reaction Force (QRF) team is back to provide tactical support. This group includes Jill Wagner as team leader Bobby, LaMonica Garrett as Tucker, and members Two Cups (James Jordan), Randy (Austin Hébert), and Tex (Jonah Wharton).
Rounding out the CIA team is Thad Luckinbill as Kyle McManus, a reliable CIA senior case officer who works alongside Joe. His role was expanded to series regular for the second season.
The Personal Lives Behind The Missions
The show continues to explore the personal sacrifices made by those in the program, adding emotional depth to the high-stakes action.
Dave Annable plays Dr. Neal McNamara, Joe’s husband and a pediatric oncology surgeon. Neal represents the home life Joe struggles to maintain, and his character provides an emotional anchor outside the world of espionage. He is the one who takes care of their kids while juggling his own demanding career.
Joe and Neal’s two daughters, the teenage Kate (Hannah Love Lanier) and her younger sister Charlie (Celestina Harris), highlight the family tensions that arise from Joe’s deep commitment to her work.
Martin Donovan returns as Errol Meade, Kaitlyn’s husband, who works in finance and has been longing for more of his wife’s attention as her professional duties consume her.
Behind The Scenes With Taylor Sheridan
Series creator Taylor Sheridan not only writes, directs, and executive produces the show but also steps in front of the camera for a guest role. He plays Sergeant Major Cody Spears, a grizzled CIA operative who works alongside Joe on a dangerous mission.
The cast has shared their experiences working with the multi-talented Sheridan. Zoe Saldaña noted his intense dedication, saying, > “He’s intense in all the right ways. He cares a whole lot and he’s very invested, so he’s all-in at all times. Sharing scenes with him was a little nerve-wracking, because you don’t know if he’s coming at you as his character or he’s coming at you as your boss.”
Michael Kelly expressed his admiration for Sheridan’s work ethic, adding, > “I love working with Taylor Sheridan, man. I love it. He’s playing on a different field. I can’t think of someone who’s had seven successful hit shows on at the same time.”
Jill Wagner, who is also an executive producer on the show, highlighted how Sheridan pushes actors to be their best, stating, > “Working for Taylor can be scary as shit. I will say this: If you’re prepared, it’s the most amazing thing in the world. God forbid if you’re not prepared. He will roll over you. But you know what he does? He makes you better.”
A New Mission And A New Lioness
The second season premiered on October 27, 2024, on Paramount+ with two episodes. The central plot kicks off when a U.S. congresswoman is kidnapped by a Mexican cartel, forcing Joe and her team back into action. The CIA’s Lioness program recruits Captain Josie Carrillo to infiltrate the cartel from the inside due to her unique family connections.
This new mission brings the threat closer to home than ever before, testing the team’s loyalties and personal resolve. With a mix of returning stars and powerful new additions, the cast of Lioness Season 2 brings a complex and action-packed story to life.
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