Summary
"Special Ops: Lioness" is a fresh spy thriller television series crafted by Taylor Sheridan, acclaimed for his triumphant productions such as "Yellowstone" and "Mayor of Kingstown."The plot centers on the exploits of an elite team known as Lioness, employing covert female operatives to penetrate the existences of their assigned targets.
The series Special Ops: Lioness, a Paramount+ spy thriller, was filmed in multiple global locations, such as Paris, Fort Ritchie in Maryland, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware, and Mallorca in Spain. Created by Taylor Sheridan, the mind behind successful shows like Yellowstone, 1883, 1923, Mayor of Kingstown, and Tulsa King, Special Ops: Lioness aims to become another triumph in his impressive portfolio. Boasting a star-studded cast that includes Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman, Michael Kelly, Jill Wagner, and Laysla De Oliveira, the production crew spared no effort in ensuring the show's excellence by filming in various parts of the world.
Paris, France
As implied by its name, Special Ops: Lioness revolves around a special operations team known as Lioness. Leading the team is Joe, a dedicated officer of the Central Intelligence Agency, while Kaitlyn Meade, a high-ranking CIA member, oversees their operations. What makes Lioness distinct is its focus on deploying female undercover operatives who seamlessly blend into the lives of their targets. However, as the opening moments of the premiere reveal, this approach doesn't always yield successful results. To authentically depict the world of Special Ops: Lioness, the cast and crew embarked on extensive travels, venturing across numerous countries and cities.
According to Dexerto, the cast and crew of Special Ops: Lioness traveled to Paris, France, to shoot several scenes for the final episodes of the inaugural season of the Paramount+ television series. The specific context of these sequences remains unclear as the streaming service has only released two episodes of the show at the time of writing this article. However, various reports suggest that Zoe Saldaña and the other actors, who comprise her character's Lioness team, were seen filming at renowned Parisian locations including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, and more.
Fort Ritchie, Maryland, United States
The special ops team's mission involving Aaliyah Amrohi and her father will eventually lead them to Paris. This city is briefly mentioned in the first scene of episode 2 when Joe informs Kaitlyn that Cruz had made a brief stop in Paris while getting to know Aaliyah. However, the purposes of Saldaña's Joe, Laysla De Oliveira's Cruz Manuelos, Jill Wagner's Bobby, James Jordan's Two Cups, LaMonica Garrett's Tucker, and the other Lioness members in Paris during the finale of Special Ops: Lioness remain a mystery for now.
To create an authentic military setting for Special Ops: Lioness, creator Taylor Sheridan and his production team scouted for the perfect location. They found the ideal backdrop at Fort Ritchie, an inactive military base located in Maryland, United States. Its vacant grounds provided an excellent setting for the Paramount+ series. Utilizing Fort Ritchie to its fullest potential, the cast and crew filmed numerous scenes on the premises and the surrounding areas. To enhance the show's realism, local military personnel were even enlisted as background characters during these sequences.
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
While filming the first season of Special Ops: Lioness, the cast and crew ventured overseas to capture a few scenes, but the majority of the show was shot in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Just like the future sequences set in Paris, the filmmakers made use of several prominent locations in the city for the show, such as the National Aquarium, Baltimore City Hall, the Lafayette Monument, and the Emerson Tower. It seems that Maryland offered the ideal setting for the Special Ops: Lioness production team, as they extensively utilized various spots in the state, including the town of Severn.
Washington D.C., United States
Special Ops: Lioness focuses on a team operated by the United States government, so it's natural that part of the Paramount+ series was filmed in Washington D.C., the country's capital. The editors managed to capture stunning shots of iconic monuments like the Washington Monument and the National Mall, which are cleverly interwoven throughout the episodes. Reports even suggest that certain scenes were shot near the White House, potentially hinting at an appearance by the President of the United States in the show. Alternatively, the audience might have the opportunity to meet a member of the President's cabinet, such as Edwin Mullins, portrayed by Morgan Freeman, who plays the Secretary of State in Special Ops: Lioness.
Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware, United States
Dexerto also reported that Taylor Sheridan and his production team selected Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware, USA, as the setting for a scene in Special Ops: Lioness. It is uncertain which cast members from the Paramount+ series were involved in this particular scene, but two actresses were filmed in the water. Additionally, there were multiple extras in bathing suits, suggesting that the scene was not just a casual day at the beach, aligning with the show's nature.
Cape Henlopen State Park boasts an impressive six-mile coastline and includes a notable area called the "Point," where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. This park holds historical significance as one of the earliest public lands in the US and once housed Fort Miles, a significant military base established during World War II. Given its military background, Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware was a fitting choice for Taylor Sheridan's Special Ops: Lioness.
Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Paramount+'s Special Ops: Lioness showcases Mallorca, the largest island of the Balearic Islands in Spain, as one of its most stunning filming locations. Celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Zoe Saldaña, and Jill Wagner were seen on the island, with pictures of Saldaña's military gear-clad character, Joe, filming scenes on the beach going viral in February 2023. These photos capture Saldaña wading through the shallow waters while carrying her gun, equipped with flippers attached to her costume, indicating the team's readiness for long-distance swimming during their mission. Mallorca's unparalleled beauty ensures that viewers will easily recognize the island when these scenes are featured in future episodes. Perhaps Aaliyah's storyline leads the Lioness team to Spain, with Mallorca being their destination. Regardless, Taylor Sheridan and Paramount+ have definitely gone above and beyond for Special Ops: Lioness.
Source: Dexerto