‘Lioness’ Season 3 Cast & Characters Guide

The stakes are higher than ever as Lioness returns for its third season on August 2, 2026, streaming exclusively on Paramount+.

From Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, Lioness follows Joe McNamara, a CIA station chief who leads the Lioness Program, a covert operation that recruits and trains female operatives to infiltrate dangerous organizations, gather intelligence and help prevent global threats.

In Season 3, Joe’s newest mission forces her to confront dangerous new threats and personal betrayals. At the same time, the line between her work and home life becomes more blurred than ever.

Before the new season premieres, get to know the cast of Lioness Season 3 and the characters they portray, from Zoe Saldaña and Morgan Freeman to Nicole Kidman, Jill Wagner and more.

Need to catch up before Season 3 premieres? Stream the first two seasons of Lioness on Paramount+ through DIRECTV.

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‘Lioness’ Season 3: Full Cast & Characters

Here’s a look at the cast and characters of the new season of Lioness, the hit espionage thriller from Paramount+.

Spoiler warning: The character descriptions below contain spoilers for Lioness Seasons 1 and 2.

Zoe Saldaña as Joe McNamara

Known from: Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek (2009), Emilia Pérez

Zoe Saldaña plays Joe McNamara, the CIA station chief responsible for overseeing the agency’s most dangerous undercover operations. She is an experienced intelligence officer who is fiercely loyal to her country and will stop at nothing to protect it and the operatives under her command. Confident under pressure, Joe isn’t afraid to put herself in harm’s way to protect her team. She can be demanding at times, expecting nothing less than excellence, but only because she understands that even the smallest mistake can have life-or-death consequences.

Throughout the series, Joe struggles to balance the demands of protecting national security with her responsibilities as a wife and mother. Her commitment to missions often comes at a personal cost, straining her relationship with her family over time. In Season 3, Joe begins investigating hidden networks that support some of the world’s most dangerous criminal organizations. In doing so, she brings the dangers of her work closer to home than ever before.

Nicole Kidman as Kaitlyn Meade

Known from: Moulin Rouge!, The Hours, Big Little Lies, Babygirl

Nicole Kidman is Kaitlyn Meade, a high-ranking CIA Special Activities officer who oversees the Lioness Program. As a skilled strategist with years of intelligence experience, she excels at navigating the political landscape of Washington while ensuring her agents have the resources they need to complete their missions. Kaitlyn is calm, calculated and highly persuasive, making her an influential leader who knows how to get what she wants.

Although she rarely joins missions in the field, Kaitlyn plays a critical role behind the scenes, making difficult decisions that can have deadly consequences for Joe and her team.

Michael Kelly as Byron Westfield

Known from: House of Cards, Jack Ryan, Dawn of the Dead, Man of Steel

Michael Kelly portrays Byron Westfield, the CIA’s Deputy Director for Operations who works closely with Joe and Kaitlyn to oversee the Lioness Program. He specializes in coordinating high-risk missions, managing intelligence and ensuring every operation has the resources it needs to succeed. Byron is level-headed, strategic and decisive, often helping shape the team’s approach to complex threats while balancing operational goals with national security priorities.

Morgan Freeman as Edwin Mullins

Known from: The Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby, Driving Miss Daisy, The Dark Knight

Edwin Mullins is a senior U.S. government official who provides oversight and guidance on some of the CIA’s most sensitive operations. Played by Morgan Freeman, Mullins is one of the most influential figures connected to the Lioness Program and helps shape high-level decisions that have both national and international consequences. He is thoughtful yet commanding, which has earned him the respect of colleagues and government officials alike.

Although he almost never takes part in field operations, Edwin plays a key role in determining how missions move forward and what risks are worth taking. His guidance becomes especially important when operations escalate beyond the CIA, requiring coordination at the highest levels of government.

Laysla De Oliveira as Cruz Manuelos

Known from: Locke & Key, Guest of Honour, In the Tall Grass

Laysla De Oliveira plays Cruz Manuelos, a former Marine who became the Lioness Program’s first undercover operative after escaping an abusive relationship. She is intelligent, resilient and adaptable, with an innate ability to earn people’s trust, even in the most dangerous situations. While living a double life took an emotional toll on her, Cruz’s empathy and strong instincts make her one of the Lioness Program’s most effective operatives.

Cruz’s first assignment sent her deep undercover to befriend Aaliyah Amrohi, the daughter of a wealthy businessman who secretly financed terrorist organizations. As the mission progressed, Cruz developed a genuine bond with Aaliyah, making it increasingly difficult to separate her personal feelings from her duty. After completing the operation, Cruz stepped away from the Lioness Program before eventually returning to mentor the next Lioness, Josie.

Genesis Rodriguez as Josephina “Josie” Carillo

Known from: The Umbrella Academy, Identity Thief, Big Hero 6, Tusk

Josephina “Josie” Carillo is a U.S. Army captain recruited to become the Lioness Program’s newest undercover operative in Season 2. Josie is disciplined, courageous and deeply committed to serving her country. Her military training and leadership experience make her well suited for the challenges of that come with being in the Lioness Program.

Her first mission required her to infiltrate a powerful Mexican cartel connected to an international smuggling operation. As the mission unfolded, Josie proved she had the determination and adaptability needed to succeed as an undercover operative

Dave Annable as Neal McNamara

Known from: Brothers & Sisters, Yellowstone, 666 Park Avenue, What/If

Neal McNamara is Joe’s husband and a dedicated pediatric surgeon. True to his profession, Neal is a compassionate and patient man. He is also deeply devoted to his family and works hard to maintain a normal home life for their daughters while Joe is away on high-risk missions.

As the series progresses, Joe’s increasingly dangerous assignments place growing strain on their marriage, forcing Neal to balance his love for his wife with the uncertainty that comes with her work. Although he isn’t directly involved in the Lioness Program, Neal remains one of Joe’s strongest sources of support as her missions become increasingly dangerous and the burden on their family grows.

Hannah Love as Kate McNamara

Known from: Road House, The Tiny Mighty Club

Kate McNamara is Joe and Neal’s eldest daughter. Like many teenagers, she is outspoken and eager to discover her own identity, but growing up with a mother whose work is shrouded in secrecy presents unique challenges. Although Kate is largely shielded from the realities of Joe’s career, the demands and dangers of the Lioness Program inevitably affect their relationship. Throughout the series, Kate’s bond with her mother highlights the personal sacrifices that come with Joe’s commitment to protecting her country.

Jill Wagner as Bobby

Known from: Teen Wolf, Wipeout, Mystery 101, Braven

Bobby is a CIA Special Activities Division operative and the leader of Joe’s quick reaction force. Fearless under pressure and an accomplished combat specialist, she leads the tactical team responsible for protecting Joe and the Lioness operatives during high-risk missions. Her battlefield experience, leadership and unwavering commitment to her team make her an indispensable part of the Lioness Program.

LaMonica Garrett as Tucker

Known from: Designated Survivor, The Last Ship, Arrow, Man of War

Tucker is a mechanically inclined U.S. Marine and an experienced CIA Special Activities Division operative who serves on Joe’s quick reaction force. He combines his technical knowledge with years of combat experience to provide tactical support and help protect undercover operatives during dangerous missions. Whether repairing equipment or responding in the field, Tucker remains a calm and reliable presence during the team’s most demanding operations.

James Jordan as Two Cups

Known from: Landman, Yellowstone, Veronica Mars, Wind River

Two Cups is a veteran operator known for his calm demeanor and wealth of combat experience. He provides tactical support during the Lioness Program’s most dangerous missions, helping protect Joe, the undercover operatives and the rest of the team.

Austin Hébert as Randy

Known from: Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, Above Suspicion, 12 Strong

Randy is the Lioness Program’s tech specialist, overseeing surveillance and gathering critical intelligence to support the team’s missions. He is analytical and resourceful, using his technical expertise to help Joe and the quick reaction force stay one step ahead during dangerous operations.

Jonah Wharton as Tex

Known from: The Requiem Boogie, NCIS

Jonah Wharton plays Tex, a CIA Special Activities Division operative who serves on Joe’s quick reaction force. He is observant, analytical and quick-thinking, using his knowledge of surveillance, security systems and field operations to help the team prepare for high-risk missions.

Thad Luckinbill as Kyle McManus

Known from: The Young and the Restless, The Good Lie, Devotion, Only the Brave

Kyle McManus is a CIA case officer and one of Joe McNamara’s oldest friends, having worked alongside her for years. He is confident, strategic and willing to take calculated risks, often coordinating complex operations and managing intelligence in the field. Working together for years has given Kyle and Joe an instinctive understanding of one another, allowing them to navigate some of the most challenging missions together with confidence.

Ian Bohen as Grady (NEW)

Known from: Yellowstone, Wyatt Earp, Teen Wolf, Wind River

Grady is a by-the-book Delta Force operator who joins the Lioness team in Season 3. While little has been revealed about his role, he is skilled in battlefield tactics and serves as the unit’s primary K9 handler.

Where to Watch ‘Lioness’ Season 3

You can stream every episode of Lioness on Paramount+. Don’t have Paramount+? Add it to your DIRECTV package and start watching one of television’s most gripping special ops dramas today.