Taylor Sheridan’s series, Special Ops: Lioness, has earned a 73% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes in 2025, solidifying its status among Paramount+’s top thriller offerings. Drawing from real-life U.S. Marine missions, the show spotlights female operatives navigating complex cultural and covert challenges.
Initially debuting with a 56% Rotten Tomatoes score, the series steadily gained critical acclaim as it rolled out, captivating audiences and securing a regular position within Paramount+’s weekly Top 10 rankings, according to Flix Patrol. The narrative centers on the lesser-known Task Force Lioness, a U.S. military program that assigned women to conduct intelligence work in Iraq by overcoming cultural barriers during checkpoints.
Showcasing stars Zoë Saldaña and Laysla De Oliveira, Special Ops: Lioness delivers gripping emotional moments and intense psychological pressure. The story taps into America’s post-9/11 anxieties while reflecting contemporary tensions involving China. Season two escalates the plot by featuring Chinese covert involvement with Mexican oil cartels to undermine U.S. policies related to Taiwan, enriching the series with Sheridan’s characteristic patriotic and high-stakes storytelling.
The Real Military Missions Behind Special Ops: Lioness and Its Expanding Geopolitical Scope
Special Ops: Lioness transcends typical political thrillers by focusing on a female-led narrative within a predominantly male military world. Based on women deployed by the U.S. Marines to screen Iraqi and Afghan women, the reenactment serves as a foundation for Sheridan’s dramatized vision.
The series seamlessly blends CIA operations, international power struggles, and flawed heroines, whose personal and emotional burdens interlace with their missions. The second season broadens this scope, introducing China as a strategic antagonist manipulating Mexican cartels to challenge American foreign policy. Key figures such as Nicole Kidman’s CIA supervisor and Morgan Freeman’s Secretary of State appear in high-tension Situation Room meetings, while Laysla De Oliveira portrays Cruz, who evolves from a Marine to a Delta Force operative, confronting moral challenges including her own father’s critical perspective on America’s ethical trajectory.
Taylor Sheridan enriches the show by weaving ideological debates into the action-packed format. Discussions around military reforms and concerns about Western decline emerge prominently through characters who experience the emotional costs of their service. Even amidst themes of conspiracy and covert operations, the series remains grounded in the psychological demands placed on female warriors.
The combination of stirring patriotism and intense drama marks Special Ops: Lioness as a signature Sheridan production, reflecting a complex mix of spectacle and sincerity that continues to resonate with viewers and critics alike. Its impressive 73% Rotten Tomatoes score indicates growing appreciation for its mix of geopolitical intrigue and character-driven storytelling, making it one of the standout streaming successes of 2025.
Four Military Dramas Comparable to Special Ops: Lioness Offering Insight into U.S. Army Operations and Secret Missions
Fans drawn to the intensity and emotional depth of Special Ops: Lioness will find a wealth of other military dramas exploring covert operations and soldiers’ lives. The Unit, a 2000s series rooted in real Special Forces units, combines the sharp writing of David Mamet with the storytelling expertise of Shawn Ryan, the creator of The Shield. Anchored by Dennis Haysbert and Robert Patrick, it balances strategic military action with the personal struggles of its characters.
The Pacific, an HBO miniseries and companion piece to Band of Brothers, focuses on World War II’s Pacific Theater. Known for its unflinching realism, it tells the true stories of three Marines in brutal combat, featuring early performances from actors such as Rami Malek and Jon Bernthal.
Generation Kill stands out for its short, incisive portrayal of the Iraq War, based on a war reporter’s experiences embedded with Marines. Its connection to The Wire’s creative team ensures a compelling, authentic narrative.
Lastly, M*A*S*H remains a classic military drama with humor and heart, spanning 256 episodes and earning 14 Emmys. Though more dated, it serves as an enduring example of how war stories can blend wit and emotional resonance.
For those eager to explore more military dramas, these shows offer gripping tales of strategy, combat, and the human element behind covert and combat missions.
Streaming Special Ops: Lioness and Its Significance in 2025’s Thriller Landscape
Special Ops: Lioness is available to stream now on Paramount+ in the United States, appealing to audiences interested in complex spy thrillers grounded in military reality. Its combination of emotional depth, geopolitical drama, and female leadership reflects evolving trends in streaming content that prioritize nuanced storytelling.
As 2025 progresses, the series’ rising acclaim points to a continuing appetite for stories that explore the challenges faced by women in combat roles, as well as the broader consequences of global espionage in an age defined by shifting power dynamics. With Season 2’s expanded narrative targeting current geopolitical concerns, Special Ops: Lioness is poised to remain a key player in political and military thriller genres.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Taylor Sheridan quit acting?
A. Sheridan’s big opportunity came as he approached 40. He and his pregnant wife, Nicole, whom he met while he was teaching acting, moved to Wyoming. He explained to the Austin American-Statesman that he quit acting to avoid raising his child in L.A. or spending time auditioning for commercials.
Q. Does Taylor Sheridan have a degree?
A. Today, Taylor Sheridan, who is from Fort Worth, received special recognition at TCU’s spring graduation ceremony. The university awarded him an honorary degree for his work in the arts and Texas film industry, and for providing opportunities to TCU students. Sheridan went to TCU but left school during his senior year.
Q. Why did Taylor Sheridan stop acting?
A. While preparing to move forward, Sheridan made a choice to step away. He and his pregnant wife, Nicole, decided to relocate to Wyoming. Sheridan met Nicole when teaching acting classes. He explained to the Austin American-Statesman that he quit acting to avoid raising his child in Los Angeles or being occupied with commercial auditions.
Q. What degree does Taylor Sheridan have?
A. Texas Christian University will honor Taylor Sheridan, a well-known filmmaker, writer, and producer, with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree. This ceremony will occur on Friday, May 9, during the spring commencement. The recognition highlights his important work in the arts, the Texas film industry, the broader Fort Worth community, and his connection to TCU.
