Jill Wagner Bets $100 That ‘Lioness’ Is Getting a Season 4—Here’s Why

Season 3 of Taylor Sheridan’s hit show Lioness: Special Ops is officially underway, and it’s been explosive to say the least. But is that explosiveness going to continue for a fourth season? Below we share everything we know so far about Lioness Season 4, including why one cast member says that fans aren’t going to want it to end once they see the finale. 

First, what is ‘Lioness?’ 

Lioness: Special Ops is a military show centered around CIA operative Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña) and her team. They solve crimes, protect our country and engage in battles, all while trying to protect themselves and their families. It’s based on a real U.S. military program from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and was co-created by Sheridan, actress Jill Wagner and her husband David Lemanowicz. 

“We came up with the idea in my backyard in Tennessee,” Wagner told Woman’s World earlier this year. “He [Lemanowicz] was the first person that told me about lionesses. I didn’t know they existed. Taylor has created this version of them that you see, but these women exist. There are b-d-ss women that go on these ops, and they do these jobs and we’re telling their story. They do exist, whether they’re called lionesses or not.”

The show currently has two complete seasons and is in the middle of airing its third. So far this season, Joe is attacked in her home by two agents of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), which is a direct result of the dangerous mission in Ukraine to capture a top Russian target. This season is also told in a dual timeline format, which is different from past seasons. 

“Every season is completely different. You think you know what you’re gonna see. You don’t. It’s completely different,” Laysla De Oliveira, who plays Jo’s colleague Cruz Manuelos in the show, previously told Woman’s World. “The mission’s really personal this year, and the stakes are really high because of that.” 

“But the amazing thing is that we know what we’re getting into, so we can prepare a little bit more. For me, this year was a challenge, but it was very exciting to see Cruz do things that I haven’t seen before, like smile, make jokes and explore more of her personal life,” she continued. “When I was reading those lines, there was a lot of, ‘How does my character say that? How is it so simple?’ It’s so simple, but playing something for two years in a certain way, and then all of a sudden you’re saying things you’ve never said before—how do you do that?”

Is ‘Lioness’ coming back for Season 4? 

As of publication, Lioness has not officially been renewed for a Season 4. That hasn’t stopped the cast from talking about it, though. In an interview with Screenrant, De Oliveira said that Season 3 “ends on a cliffhanger” and that fans “won’t want it” to end.

Wagner added to that saying that they “are going to get a Season 4.” 

“When people see what he [Sheridan] wrote for the finale, we are getting a Season 4,” she continued. “Or I will pay you $100.” 

As for what that cliffhanger will be, it’s anyone’s guess—but as long as it gets viewers, it’s safe to say fans will be thrilled if there is a Season 4.

Lioness: Special Ops Season 3 airs every Sunday on Paramount+.