Lioness Season 3 is Filming: What's New With the Paramount+ Hit

Get ready for more high-stakes espionage! Taylor Sheridan's acclaimed CIA thriller, Lioness, has officially started filming its third season, and we've got the scoop on returning stars, new faces, and its expected 2026 return.

TL;DR

• Lioness Season 3 is officially in production, with filming recently taking place across North Texas in late 2025.
• Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, and many other fan favorites are back, joined by Yellowstone alum Ian Bohen.
• Expect the high-stakes spy thriller to hit Paramount+ sometime in 2026, likely in the Spring or Summer.

Get Ready: The Lioness Squad Is Back in Action!

If you're a fan of heart-pounding action, intricate espionage, and incredible female leads, then you're probably already hooked on Taylor Sheridan's Lioness. Good news, operatives: Season 3 is officially a go, and cameras are already rolling! Paramount+ confirmed the renewal last month, and it didn't take long for the cast and crew to jump back into the world of covert operations. The show's official social channels, along with leading lady Zoe Saldaña's Instagram, have shared exciting glimpses from behind the scenes, confirming that production is well underway.

For those who love a good spy thriller, this is huge. Sheridan, known for his sprawling Westerns, really surprised audiences with this gritty, modern take on black ops. And with Season 2 earning rave reviews, the anticipation for what comes next is hitting an all-time high. It looks like Joe and her dedicated team are ready to tackle another high-stakes mission, bringing all the tension, moral conflicts, and explosive action we've come to expect.

Lights, Camera, Action: Filming Locations & Texas' Growing Film Scene

The Lone Star State is buzzing with activity as Lioness Season 3 makes itself at home. Production is currently underway in various parts of Texas, with specific street closures reported in downtown Fort Worth from 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 23, through 6 a.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025. Areas like Main Street (between 5th & 6th, and 7th & 8th streets) and 8th Street (between Main & Houston) were impacted, with Fort Worth police on hand to manage traffic.

Reports suggest that downtown Fort Worth’s Hilton Hotel might even be standing in for Washington D.C.'s iconic Hay-Adams Hotel, adding an authentic D.C. vibe to the show's CIA operations. Beyond Fort Worth, crew members wearing "Lioness" badges were also spotted filming at The Adolphus' Rodeo Bar in downtown Dallas earlier in October 2025.

This isn't just a random choice of location; it’s part of a massive film boom in Texas. A new state law, Senate Bill 22, has injected a whopping $1.5 billion in incentives over 10 years to attract major productions. And it's working! Fort Worth native Taylor Sheridan has been instrumental in this, with his 101 Studios planning to move its headquarters to Fort Worth next year. The Fort Worth Film Commission, celebrating its 10-year anniversary, is calling it a "new era."

"We believe that film is truly the next great industry in Fort Worth."

— Mayor Mattie Parker, City of Fort Worth

This growth means big things for the local economy and job market. For instance, Landman Season 2, another Sheridan project, hired over 3,850 people for cast and crew. David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios, even mentioned they're struggling to fill all available positions, leading to partnerships with community colleges to train electricians, lighting technicians, and set designers. So, while we’re getting an epic spy series, Texas is getting a thriving new industry.

Familiar Faces & Fresh Blood: Meet the Season 3 Cast of Lioness

The core team you love is returning for Season 3, ready to dive back into the covert world. The always incredible Zoe Saldaña is back as Joe, the fiercely dedicated station chief of the Lioness program. Joining her is the formidable Nicole Kidman as Kaitlyn Meade, overseeing the high-stakes operations. Kidman, who also executive produces the series, recently shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the cast, confirming many familiar faces.

Here’s who we know is returning:

• Zoe Saldaña as Joe
• Nicole Kidman as Kaitlyn Meade
• Laysla De Oliveira as Cruz Manuelos
• James Jordan (a Taylor Sheridan universe veteran, also seen in Landman, 1883, Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown)
• LaMonica Garrett
• Austen Hebert
• Genesis Rodriguez as Josie Carrillo
• Jill Wagner
• Jonah Wharton

And there's a new face joining the fray! Fans of Sheridan's other works will recognize Ian Bohen, known for his role in Yellowstone and Wind River. Bohen steps in as Grady, described as a "by-the-book Delta Force operator and primary K9 handler, skilled in battlefield tactics." This sounds like an exciting addition to the already intense tactical team.

One notable name missing from the initial cast photo shared by Saldaña is the legendary Morgan Freeman, who plays Edwin Mullins. His status for Season 3 remains unclear at this time, though there have been no official reports of his departure. We'll be keeping an eye out for updates on whether the U.S. Secretary of State will return for the next mission.

Unpacking the Next Mission: What Could Lioness Season 3 Be About?

As of now, official plot details for Lioness Season 3 are still under wraps – which is pretty fitting for a show about secret operations, right? However, based on the previous two seasons, we can make some educated guesses about where the story might go.

Season 1 introduced us to Joe, a station chief juggling her dangerous job with her family life, and Cruz, a young Marine Raider tasked with infiltrating a terrorist organization by befriending the target's daughter. The lines between her real and undercover identities blurred, leading to a truly intense season.

Season 2 brought the mission closer to home when a congresswoman was kidnapped by the Los Tigres cartel. The Lioness program recruited Josie, a U.S. Army helicopter pilot, to infiltrate the operation. By the end of Season 2, Joe returned home after a deadly mission, visibly grappling with the immense human toll her job took on both her team and her personal life. This ending strongly suggests Season 3 will continue to explore the psychological impact of covert warfare, alongside the external threats.

Given the series' format, we can almost certainly expect Joe and her expanded Lioness crew to face a new global threat, pushing them to their limits once again. The addition of Ian Bohen's "by-the-book Delta Force operator" suggests new tactical dimensions and potentially a stricter, more disciplined approach to missions, which could lead to interesting conflicts within the team.

The Wait Game: When Can We Expect Lioness Season 3 to Premiere?

With production just kicking off in late 2025, it'll be a little while before we get to stream Lioness Season 3. Paramount+ has confirmed a general 2026 release window, with many speculating it will land an earlier slot in the year, possibly in Spring or Summer 2026. While we don't have an exact date yet, Taylor Sheridan is known for being incredibly efficient with his productions, so it's likely filming will wrap before the end of 2025, moving swiftly into post-production.

For context, Season 1 premiered in July 2023, and Season 2 followed in October 2024. If Season 3 arrives in Spring/Summer 2026, that would mean roughly a year and a half between the second and third seasons. This extended gap was reportedly due to contract negotiations, specifically Nicole Kidman's, though Zoe Saldaña had initially signed on for three seasons. As fans, we often grumble about waiting, but if it means the creative team has the time to "get it right," then we're usually on board!

Why Lioness Is Taylor Sheridan's Underrated Gem You Need to Watch

When Taylor Sheridan first announced a spy thriller, many expected more horses and cowboys. Instead, we got Lioness – a distinctly modern, gritty, and globally-focused show. And while it started with a modest 56% on Rotten Tomatoes for Season 1, it didn't just find its footing; it soared. By Season 2, the show's critical reception jumped to an impressive 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, proving that Sheridan’s pivot was a risk worth taking.

Seriously, if you haven't given Lioness a shot, or perhaps dropped off after early episodes, now's the time to reconsider. The show boasts incredible star power. Zoe Saldaña's portrayal of Joe McNamara is the beating heart of the series, a deeply complex character navigating impossible choices. Nicole Kidman, though perhaps not as prominent as some initially anticipated, delivers a stellar performance as Kaitlyn Meade. And let's not forget the gravitas that Morgan Freeman brought as the U.S. Secretary of State in earlier seasons. It's a blend of prestige acting and high-octane tension that truly sets it apart.

Lioness stands out in Sheridan’s ever-growing universe. It’s a show that evolved, got better, and demonstrates his versatility as a storyteller. It's not just "good for a spy show," it's a genuinely compelling drama that explores the sacrifices and personal costs behind the "War on Terror." Many consider the Season 2 premiere to have one of the best action sequences ever seen on TV, which is saying something!

So, if you’re looking for a new obsession while waiting for Season 3, or if you just need to catch up on what makes this show so special, now is the perfect time. This could truly be Lioness' breakout year, and all it needs is more eyes on it.

The Taylor Sheridan Cinematic Universe Continues to Expand

Let's be real, Taylor Sheridan is a workhorse! He's one of the busiest writers and showrunners in television, with a string of hits that few can match. While we're excited for Lioness Season 3, he's also got three other new shows arriving by the end of 2025. His "insane run" includes the hugely successful Yellowstone universe, with its various prequels and spin-offs, and other acclaimed series like Mayor of Kingstown (whose fourth season just premiered to early praise) and Landman, which is also currently filming its second season in Texas.

Beyond TV, Sheridan is also working on his new movie, F.A.S.T. The man doesn't seem to sleep! His dedication to crafting compelling, authentic stories, whether they're about cowboys, oilmen, or black ops agents, means we're constantly getting high-quality content. It’s a generational run that reshapes the TV landscape, making Lioness just one jewel in a very impressive crown.

FAQ: Your Quick Questions About Lioness Season 3 Answered When is Lioness Season 3 expected to be released? Lioness Season 3 is expected to premiere sometime in 2026, with many anticipating a Spring or Summer release on Paramount+. Where can I watch Lioness Seasons 1 and 2? You can stream both Season 1 and Season 2 of Lioness (also known as Special Ops: Lioness) exclusively on Paramount+. Will Morgan Freeman return for Season 3? Morgan Freeman's return as Edwin Mullins for Season 3 is currently unclear. He was not featured in initial behind-the-scenes photos, and his status has not yet been officially confirmed or denied. Where is Lioness Season 3 being filmed? Production for Lioness Season 3 is taking place in various locations across Texas, including downtown Fort Worth and Dallas. Sources

• Collider
• Woman's World
• OutKick
• WFAA
• The Dallas Morning News
• Dallas Innovates
• TV Insider
• TV Fanatic