Taylor Sheridan’s “Top-Notch” Finale For Hit 3-Season Spy Series Teased By Lioness Star

Published Aug 21, 2026, 10:00 AM EDT As Lioness reaches the halfway point of season 3, one of the stars of the spy thriller is teasing next month's "top-notch" finale. The series is loosely based on a real-life program within the military in which female operatives are tasked with going on covert missions that involve getting close to family members of dangerous terrorists. Zoe Saldaña leads the Lioness cast, which also stars Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman, Michael Kelly, Laysla De Oliveira, Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, and LaMonica Garrett. Several cast members have already been teasing an "insane" finale coming up on September 20, and in an interview with ScreenRant's Liam Crowley for Lioness season 3, Annable echoed that sentiment, saying, "I'm just going to agree with them." Creator Taylor Sheridan did an "amazing job" of setting up the characters and their relationships in the first two seasons, according to the actor. Now that that setup has been established, Lioness season 3 has been able to "go full gas pedal...and take it in a whole new exciting direction." As a result, Annable believes that this is his favorite season "by far" because Sheridan has "taken us all on a ride," which will soon "come to a head" in the upcoming finale. Everything is firing on all cylinders, including the "beautiful writing" and the "top-notch" acting. Annable added that he and his co-stars get along really well with each other, which is evident on screen and contributes to the strong momentum that the show has been experiencing. "Here's hoping that we can keep going," he added. "I'm just going to agree with them. "I think, in season 1 and season 2, he did an amazing job of setting up who these characters are, their relationships, and the world they live in to literally go full gas pedal in this third season and take it in a whole new exciting direction. "I think this season is arguably my favorite season by far. Taylor has taken us all on a ride, and this season we're going to just see it all come to a head. It's beautiful writing, and the actors are top-notch - and they're all awesome. We all get along so well, and I think that really shows on screen. Here's hoping that we can keep going." Before Lioness, Annable was best known for starring in the ABC series Brothers & Sisters. His other TV credits include 666 Park Avenue, Red Band Society, and Walker. In 2018, he made his debut in the Sheridan universe, playing Lee Dutton in the hit Western Yellowstone. After his final appearance in 2022, he didn't stay away from Sheridan for long, as Lioness debuted the following year. Aside from Yellowstone and Lioness, Sheridan has also created 1883, Mayor of Kingstown, 1923, Tulsa King, Landman, The Madison, and the upcoming Frisco King. Released in 2024, Lioness season 2 featured several intense moments, including in the finale when the team attempted to prevent nuclear scientists from getting to the Isfahan base, Josie broke her leg when her helicopter crashed, and Pablo killed his brother. After everything she and her team experienced, the episode ended with Joe McNamara finally reuniting with her husband, Neil, played by Annable. That reunion was short-lived, though, as Joe got kidnapped at the start of Lioness season 3 and was tortured. Along with the praise from Annable and the rest of the cast, Lioness season 3 has earned positive reviews from critics and an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. More than 7 million viewers tuned in to the premiere in the first week of its release. Lioness season 3 streams new episodes every Sunday on Paramount+. Release Date July 23, 2023 Network Paramount+ Showrunner Taylor Sheridan Cast Laysla De Oliveira Cruz Manuelos Young Marine Joe McNamara is recruited into a covert CIA program intent on infiltrating a terrorist network. Directors John Hillcoat, Anthony Byrne, Paul Cameron, Stephen Kay, Taylor Sheridan Writers Taylor Sheridan, Jill Wagner Main Genre Drama Creator(s) Taylor Sheridan Executive Producer(s) Bob Yari, David Glasser, David Hutkin, David Lemanowicz, Geyer Kosinski, Jill Wagner, John Hillcoat, Michael Friedman, Nicole Kidman, Ron Burkle, Stephen Kay, Taylor Sheridan, Zoe Saldana, Michael J. Malone Producers Rajeev Malhotra Seasons 3 Story By Taylor Sheridan, Jill Wagner Streaming Service(s) Paramount Plus