Will there be a Special Ops: Lioness Season 3? Future of the Taylor Sheridan show, explored

Special Ops: Lioness season 2 has come to an end after eight power-packed episodes. The hit Paramount+ series follows CIA officer Joe, who is assigned the charge of the Lioness program, which hires female operatives for undercover missions.

The second season raised the stakes for Joe and her team as the show explored themes like global conflict, drug cartels, and human trafficking. The season concluded with a thrilling finale that left the audience asking for more.

There is still a lot left to be told in the story, especially around the personal lives and relationships of Joe and Cruz. But will there be a Special Ops: Lioness season 3? As of now, the spy thriller series has not been renewed for a third season.

The renewal status of Special Ops: Lioness season 3

Paramount+ has not yet officially announced Special Ops: Lioness season 3. However, there is a strong possibility of the show returning with new episodes, considering its popularity and viewership numbers.

The second season’s debut episode received 3 million views within a week of its release, becoming one of the most-watched premieres on Paramount+. With this positive response, the streaming platform might renew the series in the upcoming weeks.

Series star Zoe Saldaña, who plays Joe, has also hinted that the show would continue for another season. In an interview with Vanity Fair, the actress revealed she had signed up for at least three seasons of Special Ops: Lioness:

“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].”

As for the release date, there was a gap of 13 months between the premieres of the first two seasons. If the same tradition is followed, Special Ops: Lioness season 3 is expected to be released in early 2026.

The potential storyline of Special Ops: Lioness season 3

If the show gets greenlit for a third season, it would likely pick up after the events of the season 2 finale. At the end of the previous installment, Joe and her team had a narrow escape in Turkey while on a dangerous mission to target Chinese nuclear scientists.

Season 3 would have some more challenges for the Lionesses, and the rest of the CIA team, as the global conflict intensifies. China is adamant about invading Taiwan, and with the attack on its nuclear scientists, the nation’s relationship with the US would be further strained.

Meanwhile, Joe’s personal life could be in the spotlight in future episodes. Her marriage is already struggling, and it could head toward divorce. She might have to decide if her work with the Lioness program is worth losing her family.

There is also a possibility that Cruz, who has trained under Joe, could take over the Lioness program so Joe can spend more time with her family. But knowing Joe, she might still stay involved in the action. Cruz and Josephina’s feelings for each other could also be explored in depth going forward.

The star cast of Special Ops: Lioness season 3

As Zoe Saldaña has already agreed to be a part of the potential season 3, she will certainly reprise her role as Joe. Laysla De Oliveira will likely return as Cruz, along with Genesis Rodriguez as Josephina.

It will also be interesting to see the return of acclaimed actors like Morgan Freeman, Nicole Kidman, and Michael Kelly. If the main cast agrees to be a part of Special Ops: Lioness season 3, the ensemble would look like as below: