My Beef With The Show 'Lioness' And An Interview With Laysla De Oliveira

In 2023, Paramount released S1 of Lioness. I have been plagued ever since. 

The Taylor Sheridan spy drama, now in its acclaimed third season, follows a cadre of CIA operatives - Lionesses - going undercover to thwart cartels and terrorist cells while trying to keep their personal lives together, and it just so happens I was part of a Female Engagement Team (FET) in Afghanistan, a direct sister/successor of the Marine Corps' Lioness program. 

As a result, I have been getting messages & comments from people watching the show, friends, coworkers and strangers alike. They either want to know how close my job was to the series, or simply thank me for my service because they had no idea I did “all of that badass stuff”. 

Here’s an example of 'all of that badass stuff' they’re doing in the show:

Goes without saying, but uh - I was not doing stuff quiiiiiite like that. 

And now, over and over, I find myself having to reply to folks to clarify. “That show is definitely edge-of-your-seat exciting, and I’m sure there are women in the military who have done and are doing incredibly badass things, but I was mostly in the smoke pit ripping unfiltered Chinese cigs and eating cheese balls.” 

As luck would have it, I was given the opportunity to interview Laysla De Oliveira AKA special agent Cruz, and was able to to air my main grievance: “Thanks a lot - I feel like a dork”. 

Side note: Glad I showed up looking like a shiny tomato to interview a stunning, talented model. 

Whatever the case, if you’re looking for a show to watch over the weekend I highly recommend Lioness on Paramount. I'd already watched S1 & 2, and when they sent me the screeners for Season 3 before it came out I found myself sitting there binging the entire thing. PLUS, it’s got some incredible talent. Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman… ever heard of ‘em?!

You can check the show out HERE.