Summary
Special Ops: Lioness is a spy thriller series on Paramount+ that offers action, drama, and complex relationships, similar to many other television shows.
The show boasts an exceptional ensemble, with notable names such as Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, and Morgan Freeman. Similarly, there are ten other series that showcase renowned stars and are worth considering.
For viewers who found pleasure in Special Ops: Lioness, there are several other shows like Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, Mayor of Kingstown, The Unit, Tulsa King, The Recruit, Yellowstone, S.W.A.T., SEAL Team, Homeland, and Alias that delve into comparable themes and incorporate similar elements.
Taylor Sheridan's 2023 TV series, Special Ops: Lioness, centers around the CIA program named Lioness. With no news on a possible second season, fans can pass the time by watching similar shows. This Paramount+ spy thriller series, consisting of eight episodes, offers a thrilling blend of action, drama, unexpected twists, intricate relationships, and much more. Fortunately, these elements are not exclusive to Special Ops: Lioness and can be found in numerous other TV shows.
The cast of Special Ops: Lioness includes renowned actors such as Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, and Morgan Freeman. Similarly, the following ten shows also feature talented stars, enhancing their quality and attracting viewers. Therefore, even if Paramount+ decides not to continue with a second season, fans can find comparable entertainment elsewhere.
10 Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan
9 Mayor of Kingstown
The final episode of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan was aired one week before the premiere of Special Ops: Lioness. Given the numerous similarities between the two shows, Paramount+ series served as the ideal replacement for Jack Ryan. Aired on Amazon Prime Video for four seasons, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan was based on characters from Tom Clancy's Ryanverse books. The lead role of the protagonist was portrayed by John Krasinski, who surprisingly excelled as an action hero. Jack Ryan, a CIA analyst initially working a desk job, found himself compelled to enter the field, and the rest became history.
Taylor Sheridan's another Paramount+ series, Mayor of Kingstown, shares the same thrilling elements as Special Ops: Lioness. Starring Jeremy Renner as Mike McLusky, this crime thriller TV show portrays him as the unofficial ruler, known as the "Mayor," who manages the town and negotiates between the gangs, prisoners, guards, and police. The series has aired two seasons, each consisting of ten episodes, and has been renewed for a third season, with an undisclosed premiere date.
8 The Unit
7 Tulsa King
Aired on CBS during the 2000s, The Unit revolved around a fictionalized portrayal of the renowned Delta Force, an elite special operations unit of the United States Army. Led by Dennis Haysbert as Jonas Blane, the team, which also included Scott Foley as Bob Brown, Robert Patrick as Tom Ryan, and other skilled individuals, collaborated on top-secret missions overseas. Consequently, both The Unit and Special Ops: Lioness share a common premise, which involves a distinguished military group focused on targeting high-profile individuals.
In 2022, Taylor Sheridan added another project to his already busy schedule by creating and releasing the crime drama television show, Tulsa King, on Paramount+. This series features Sylvester Stallone, a prominent actor, as Dwight "The General" Manfredi, a powerful figure in the Mafia. After serving a 25-year prison sentence, Dwight's boss sends him to Tulsa to establish a new base of operations and expand their criminal empire. While Special Ops: Lioness focused on characters aligned with the law, Tulsa King explores the other side. The first season comprised nine episodes, and fans can look forward to a second season in the future.
6 The Recruit
Netflix's The Recruit and Paramount+'s Special Ops: Lioness have several similarities. Both series focus on the CIA's operations and follow new recruits as they navigate a complex and intricate world. In The Recruit, Noah Centineo takes on the role of Owen Hendricks, the protagonist after whom the show is named. Despite being just a CIA lawyer, Owen quickly finds himself in a precarious situation when an asset blackmails him, leading him on a perilous journey. The spy-adventure series received positive feedback and was renewed by Netflix for a second season.
5 Yellowstone
While Yellowstone may not be a spy thriller, it comes from the same creative mind behind Special Ops: Lioness, indicating that fans of one may also enjoy the other. Taylor Sheridan's modern Western drama series follows the compelling story of the Dutton family, with Kevin Costner embodying the role of the patriarch, John Dutton III. Owning the largest ranch in Montana, the Duttons find themselves entangled in family drama and conflicts with the neighbouring Broken Rock Indian Reservation, captivating millions of viewers. With a slew of spinoffs under its belt, it appears that this Yellowstone universe is destined to endure even beyond its upcoming fifth season.
4 S.W.A.T.
3 SEAL Team
S.W.A.T. is a gripping CBS procedural drama that centers around the Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) unit of the Los Angeles Police Department. If you're a fan of the intense Special Ops: Lioness and searching for another adrenaline-pumping show featuring an elite tactical group, look no further than S.W.A.T. Starring as Sergeant Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson, Shemar Moore brings his remarkable talent to portray a former Marine, just like in Special Ops: Lioness, and is entrusted with leading the S.W.A.T. team. With six seasons already aired, this exhilarating TV series has been renewed by the network for its seventh and final season, set to premiere in 2023.
SEAL Team, a drama series included in this list, showcases the operations of an elite unit. The show first aired on CBS for its initial four seasons before transitioning to Paramount+ for seasons 5 and 6. SEAL Team revolves around the Bravo Team, a subunit of the Navy SEALs' United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group. David Boreanaz, Max Thieriot, Jessica Paré, Neil Brown Jr., A. J. Buckley, and Toni Trucks portray members of the Bravo Team in this ongoing show. Season 7 of SEAL Team has been renewed by the streaming service for 2023.
2 Homeland
1 Alias
: Like Special Ops: Lioness, Homeland centered around an officer in the CIA named Carrie Mathison, portrayed by Claire Danes. When the Showtime series debuted, Carrie delved into the case of Nicholas Brody, a Marine Corps Scout Sniper played by Damian Lewis, who had recently been rescued after enduring years as a prisoner of war. Similar to Special Ops: Lioness, this espionage thriller captivated audiences with its unpredictable twists and turns, running for eight seasons until its conclusion in 2020.
Alias, created by J.J. Abrams and starring Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow, remains one of the most captivating spy thrillers. Set in the world of the CIA, Alias follows Sydney, a double agent committed to dismantling the criminal organization SD-6. With a run of five seasons from 2001 to 2006 and a total of 105 episodes, Alias is the ultimate choice for an immersive binge-watch experience, especially following the conclusion of Special Ops: Lioness season 1.