“Forget Slow Horses — Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldaña Lead a Ruthless, Nerve-Shredding CIA Thriller Packed With Deadly Secrets, Shocking Betrayals, and Explosive Danger!”

From the brilliant mind of Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, the eight-part series Lioness drags viewers into an intense world of espionage where every decision can cost a life. Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldaña front an all-female CIA task force infiltrating terrorist networks, gathering intelligence, and manipulating dangerous power players — no matter what personal sacrifices it takes.

Buried secrets, fractured loyalties, and betrayals that strike when least expected… Lioness delivers a pulse-pounding spy saga brimming with shocking twists, fiery confrontations, and gut-wrenching moral choices — a dark, razor-sharp thriller that makes Slow Horses look almost tame.

Lioness — What’s all the buzz about?

First debuting on Paramount+ in 2023 and soon arriving on ITVX, Lioness follows an elite CIA unit led on the ground by Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña) and overseen by Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman). Their covert strategy? Befriend the wives and girlfriends of high-profile terrorists to derail the next catastrophic plot.

The series is inspired by a real CIA program launched in 2003 during the Iraq War, when the original “Team Lioness” — an all-female Marine detachment — was deployed to gather intelligence and penetrate local communities.

High-stakes story, powerhouse cast

According to the official synopsis, Lioness follows Joe (Zoe Saldaña) as she struggles to balance her personal life with her top-secret missions on the front lines of the war on terror. Under the watchful eyes of Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman) and Donald Westfield (Michael Kelly), the Lioness program recruits fearless Marine Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira) to work deep undercover with Joe — infiltrating the upper echelons of terrorist organizations to prevent another 9/11-style disaster.

Alongside Zoe Saldaña and Nicole Kidman, the star-studded lineup includes:

• Morgan Freeman as U.S. Secretary of State Edwin Mullins

• Laysla De Oliveira as Cruz Manuelos

• Dave Annable as Neal McNamara

• Jill Wagner as Bobby

• Michael Kelly as Donald Westfield

• Plus standout names like LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Stephanie Nur, Bruce McGill, Jennifer Ehle…

Zoe Saldaña describes her on-set friendship with Nicole Kidman as “love at first sight,” while Kidman told People magazine: “This show has a ton of action. We had to work incredibly hard to deliver both the high-octane scenes and the beautifully written dialogue. It’s truly an emotional roller coaster.”

How has Lioness been received?

When it premiered on Paramount+ in 2023, Lioness earned glowing praise for its original concept, sharp character development, and relentless pacing. The series even launched a Season 2 in October 2024 and is slated to arrive on ITVX in 2026.

Where can you watch Lioness?

Good news for UK viewers: Lioness Season 1 lands on ITVX on September 7, 2025, while remaining available on Paramount+. Season 2 will also stream on the platform in 2026.

More spy thrillers to try

If you haven’t yet watched Slow Horses on Apple TV+, start now — all four seasons are streaming. Or try The Night Agent on Netflix, where an overlooked FBI agent uncovers a conspiracy inside the White House. Craving even more CIA intrigue? Check out Paramount+’s The Agency, produced by George Clooney and starring Michael Fassbender as a top operative torn between duty and personal loyalty.

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Bottom line:
Lioness is a razor-edged espionage masterpiece that fuses stellar performances from Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldaña with Taylor Sheridan’s signature storytelling bite. Dark, intelligent, and unrelentingly tense — it’s the perfect pick for anyone who loves Slow Horses but wants something even more explosive.