Morgan Freeman reveals the three reasons he signed on for Lioness season 2, Paramount+’s spy thriller series created by Yellowstone's Taylor Sheridan. Lioness, which debuted in July 2023, follows a fictional CIA program that trains female operatives to infiltrate terrorist organizations. The series stars Zoe Saldaña as Joe, a CIA officer leading the program, alongside Nicole Kidman’s Kaitlyn Meade, a senior CIA supervisor. Freeman joined the Lioness cast in season 1 as Edwin Mullins, the U.S. Secretary of State, who often puts out the fires left behind by the program's risky missions.
In an interview with Collider, Freeman shared what drew him back to the role, emphasizing three key factors. Season 2, which recently got underway on Paramount+, promises to delve deeper into the tensions between the program and the state, with Freeman now a regular cast member. Read his full quote here:
Number one, it's a Taylor Sheridan project, and I'm just, number one, thrilled to be in that loop. Number two, it's an incredible cast that I work with — Zoe and Nicole and Michael and Bruce. Just that alone is enough. To top it all off, I'm paid to do it.
Lioness Season 2 Will Up The Stakes
Sheridan’s venture into the world of spy thrillers marks a departure from his signature neo-Western style. Nonetheless, the star-studded cast he’s assembled for Lioness speaks to the strength of his storytelling in a variety of genres. Freeman’s comments reflect the chemistry and collaboration on set that’s likely to translate into compelling character dynamics for Lioness season 2.
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Freeman’s graduation from recurring to regular cast member will add an extra layer of authority and gravitas to the socio-political dynamics of Lioness. As Secretary of State Edwin Mullins, Freeman’s character will be more closely involved in the Lioness missions, suggesting a season with more intense debates, complex power plays, and fresh moral dilemmas as the team confronts new terrorist threats. The actor's enthusiasm for joining the project signals the level of quality viewers can expect from the season. Freeman’s character, Mullins, will likely challenge the team’s methods and add another dissatisfied political group to its already thrilling narrative.
Our Take On Morgan Freeman In Lioness Season 2
Freeman Can Have A Real Impact On Lioness
Freeman’s comments and excitement about Lioness reflect how Sheridan’s perspective on the spy thriller genre has resonated with audiences and actors alike. With Freeman now a central player in season 2, his character will dive deeper into the moral complexities and high-stakes operations that define the show. As Lioness furthers its various high-stakes storylines, Freeman’s growing presence could be a game-changer, helping the series establish itself as a standout entry into the world of streaming espionage dramas.
Source: Collider
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.
Release Date July 23, 2023
Seasons 1
Writers Taylor Sheridan , Jill Wagner
Directors Anthony Byrne , Paul Cameron
Showrunner Taylor Sheridan