Lioness fans, the wait is almost over! Season three of the adrenaline-fueled espionage thriller drops on Paramount+ on Aug. 2, and to mark the occasion, the streamer teamed up with Vanity Fair for an exclusive early premiere screening on July 29 at the SVA Theater in New York. The guest list boasted a star-studded lineup led by the show’s leading woman, Zoe Saldaña, who captured attention in a sleek black Balmain gown with dramatic ruffle details, complemented by a stunning Cartier necklace.
Joining Saldaña on the red carpet were co-stars Nicole Kidman, Jill Wagner, Laysla De Oliveira, Michael Kelly, Dave Annable, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Hannah Love Lanier, Jonah Wharton, Ian Bohen, Thad Luckinbill, Elizaveta Neretin, Celestina Harris, and Matt Gerald.
Also in attendance were 101 Studios CEO and Executive Producer David Glasser, Executive Producer and Director Michael Friedman, Executive Producer Ron Burkle, Executive Producer David Lemanowicz, Paramount+ Chair of Direct-to-Consumer Cindy Holland, EVP and Head of Originals Jane Wiseman, and Co-Chair of Paramount Pictures and Chair of Paramount Television Studios Dana Goldberg.
Lioness Season Three Premiere: During a fan Q&A, The cast spoke about what to expect this season.
Before the screening, guests were treated to an engaging Q&A featuring the leading ladies of Lioness, Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, Jill Wagner, and Laysla De Oliveira. During the discussion, Saldaña reflected on her character Joe McNamara, and the real-life inspiration behind the series, which is based on Team Lioness, a U.S. military program that embedded female soldiers into combat units during the Iraq War beginning in 2003, according to Vanity Fair. The initiative enabled women to interact with Muslim women in situations where male soldiers could not, adding another layer of authenticity to the show’s gripping story.
“There’s a lot of women that…carry so much weight, and they take on so much responsibility, and they deliver time and time again, and they give 120%, but they’re burning the candle from both ends,” Saldaña said at the premiere, during a Q&A with VF’s Daniela Tijerina, according to Vanity Fair. “That felt very familiar to me.”
Nicole Kidman also spoke about portraying Kaitlyn Meade, the CIA official overseeing the Lioness program, and what drew her to the role.
“I’d never played this type of woman before, where there is an enormous strength and then her allegiance and her protection of her country,” Kidman said. “That’s what she will live and die for.”
Laysla De Oliveira, who portrays Sergeant Cruz Manuelos, explained how her character keeps evolving in this new season, hinting that the audience will glimpse Cruz in a new light after two seasons of intense emotional and physical strain.
“There were moments this year I didn’t get to explore in the first season, like how Cruz might smile? How does she laugh?” joked De Oliveira during the Q&A. “I honestly don’t know—she’s been brooding for so long.”
After the screening, guests moved to the Faena New York for an after-party, where they toasted with themed cocktails such as the “Lioness Spritz,” “Raven,” and “Safe House.” Cast members mingled with attendees and hit the dance floor as live DJ music filled the venue.
What is Lioness about?
Created by Oscar-nominated writer Taylor Sheridan, Lioness is Paramount+’s brisk espionage thriller inspired by a real U.S. military program bearing the same name. The series follows CIA senior field officer Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña) as she balances family life with leading the agency’s elite Lioness squad on perilous undercover missions across the globe.
With a third season renewed, Lioness continues to raise the ante. The first season introduced audiences to the Lioness program as Joe McNamara recruits young Marine Cruz Manuelos to infiltrate a dangerous terrorist organization. As the story unfolds, the team confronts high-stakes missions, devastating losses, surprising emotional bonds, and brutal betrayals.
Season three sees the danger escalate even further. Hidden networks, foreign operatives, and deeply personal betrayals intertwine as Joe finds herself torn between her duties and her family while unseen enemies close in. Guided by Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman) and Byron Westfield (Michael Kelly), Joe must confront powerful forces that operate from the shadows, forcing her to confront a conflict that reaches into every corner of her life.
Lioness Season 3 is scheduled to premiere on Paramount + Sunday, August 2, 2026.
