Obviously, Taylor Sheridan is the king of Paramount+. The creator of “Yellowstone” and seemingly a dozen other shows, Sheridan, was an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter (“Sicario,” “Hell Or High Water”), but soon began growing by leaps and bounds, directing “Wind River” in 2017 and then was essentially given the keys to TV on Paramount as a writer, director, showrunner, producer and THE man who runs things there. And yes, he’s got another show in the wings premiering soon. Called, “Special Ops: Lioness,” the series is CIA thriller that stars Zoe Saldaña, and Academy Award winner and executive producer Nicole Kidman, among many others.
READ MORE: ‘Special Ops: Lioness’ Teaser: Taylor Sheridan’s Female-Driven CIA Drama Premieres On Paramount+ On July 23
But as you might remember when it was initially announced, Kidman was only supposed to executive produce the series, give it her name and stamp of approval. But then according to a new “Meet The Cast” featurette, Kidman says right off the top, Saldaña’s participation changed everything.
“When Zoe signed on to play the lead, I was like, this is great. I wasn’t [scheduled] to be in it,” Kidman admitted, “And then I was like, ‘well, [her participation] was too enticing.”
The espionage thriller features a star-studded cast that also includes Laysla De Oliveira, Emmy Award nominee Michael Kelly, Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman, Dave Annable, Jonah Wharton, and James Jordan
Here’s the official synopsis:
SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS, inspired by an actual U.S. Military program, follows the life of Joe (Saldaña) the Lioness Program director tasked with training, managing and leading her female undercover operatives while she attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the CIA’s spear in the war on terror. The Lioness Program, overseen by Kaitlyn Meade (Kidman) and Donald Westfield (Kelly), enlists an aggressive Marine Raider named Cruz (De Oliveira) to operate undercover alongside Joe among the power brokers of State terrorism in the CIA’s efforts to thwart the next attack.
“Lioness” premieres July 23 on Paramount+. Watch the new featurette below.