Taylor Sheridanis one of the biggest and busiest names in TV right now, thanks to his creation ofYellowstoneand its extended universe. The Paramount neo-Western has been a massive hit, and its currently released spin-offs,1883and1923,have enjoyed similar success.Yellowstoneseason 5, part 2is only days away from continuing that epic saga, as the new episodes are expected to premiere on November 10. Sheridan has also successfully branched beyond this series with several other titles in both the movie and TV space, and his catalog of movies and shows continues to grow.
When he was not working on developing the scripts and pitching the hit Kevin Costner-led show, Sheridan worked diligently on Denis Villeneuve’s acclaimedSicario(2015) and David Mackenzie’sHell or High Water(2016). He also wrote and directedWind River(2017). In the world of television,Sheridan has created shows likeTulsa King,Mayor of Kingstown, andLioness, all of which have also been viewership successes for Paramount. Having so many successful shows outside his most prominent franchise is proof that Sheridan is more than justYellowstone. The acclaimed creative simply knows what audiences want.
Special Ops: Lioness Season 2 Continues Sheridan’s Streaming Success
The Action-Thriller Beats Some Major TV Titles
Lionessseason 2 debuted onRotten Tomatoesat an impressive 100%, but the show has gained prominence since. The action-thriller has become a major success on streaming. Premiering in 2023, this Paramount series stars Zoe Saldaña as Joe, the leader of the CIA’s Lioness program, which operates with the goal of putting female assets behind enemy lines. Season 1 was a major viewership hit.Season 2 premiered at the end of October, opening with some big action set piecesas Joe operates at the U.S.–Mexico border and recruits a newLioness operative in Genesis Rodriguez’s Captain Josephina Carillo.
Lionessseason 2’s 100% RT score comes from only 6 reviews, meaning it’s likely to evolve as more reviews are added. Season 2’s audience score currently sits at 84% from fewer than 50 ratings.
That success has allowed it to compete with massive franchises. New data fromReelgoodnow reveals thatLionessranks as the sixth most popular show on streaming for the week of October 24– 30. The show, which is streaming on Paramount+ and also stars Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Kelly, beats many other hit titles, includingThe Lincoln Lawyer,From,Matlock, andRivals. Unfortunately, it still falls short of others, such asHigh Potential,Disclaimer, andThe Penguin, withOnly Murders in the Buildingtaking the number one spot. Check out the full top 10 TV shows list below:
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Why You Should Watch Lionness Season 2
The Rotten Tomatoes Success Is Not The Show’s Only Draw
Sheridan is best known for his Westerns, so it is only natural to look for his franchises whenever surfing through Paramount+. Despite his reputation, however, the acclaimed creator excels withLioness. It represents a much-needed change of pace that showcases his range, while also leaning into his thrilling execution. The story allows more versatility from its actors this season and features action-packed scenes with an emphasis on adventure. Unlike the last season, the show also wastes no time in diving directly into the story, given that this world and its characters have already been fully established.
Sheridan was so involved in production that he had a guest role in season 2 as Cody Spears, a member of the Quick Reaction Force.
Even audience members who were dissatisfied with season 1 should give the sophomore installment a chance. After all, season 1’s Tomatometer score was a mere 56%. Leaping from 56% to a 100% debut is an incredible change of pace and indicates that Sheridan was listening to audiences.Season 2 could very well satisfy anyone with complaints, especially as the stakes and the dramatic writing have been improved immensely. It is worth returning to see just how differentLionessis after the season 1 ending.
What Lioness' Streaming Success Means For The Show’s Future
Does Sheridan Have Another Yellowstone-Like Franchise On His Hands?
Lioness’streaming popularity isn’t necessarily surprising given season 2’s debut. Still, the show’s success is undoubtedly a positive note for Paramount+. What will be crucial is seeing whether the show can continue its viewership success over the coming weeks as new episodes air. Considering that season 1 was a smash hit,season 2 does seem poised to remain a consistent performer, and this bodes well forLionessseason 3, which has not yet been confirmed. The high critical and audience ratings could also spur positive word-of-mouth, which could draw new viewers from a yet-untapped market.
All 7 Taylor Sheridan TV Shows, Ranked Worst To Best
Taylor Sheridan has been a great asset for Paramount, developing several original shows from Yellowstone to the new Law Men: Bass Reeves.
AsYellowstonehas proven,Sheridan is also adept at turning shows into larger franchises, and it’s certainly possible thatLionesscould get this same treatment.Special Ops: Lioness' castis large and varied, with a number of colorful characters. A spin-off series could be put into development if it seems like there is an appetite from audiences for it. If so, it could expand on those fascinating characters and offer them storylines of their own. It remains to be seen howthe show performs in the coming weeks, but it looks likeSheridanhas yet another hit on his hands.
Lioness
Cast
Special Ops: Lioness is a Paramount+ original series starring Zoe Saldana and Nicole Kidman. The series centers on a marine and a CIA agent who work together with the daughter of a dangerous terrorist group to destroy the organization. Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone co-creator) and Jill Wagner created the series, which was directed by Paul Cameron and Anthony Byrne.
