PARAMOUNT+ RENEWS LIONESS FOR A SECOND SEASON

From Yellowstone Co-Creator Taylor Sheridan,

The Record-Breaking Espionage Thriller Is Produced

By
MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios

Oscar^® Winner Morgan Freeman Upped to Series Regular

Star-Studded Cast Includes Series Lead and Executive Producer Zoe Saldaña, Laysla De Oliveira, Michael Kelly and Academy Award^® Winner Nicole Kidman, Who Also Serves as Executive Producer

Credit: Ramona Rosales/Paramount+

NEW YORK - May 9, 2024 - Paramount+ today announced that the original drama series LIONESS (previously titled SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS) has been renewed for a second season. From Oscar nominee Taylor Sheridan, the series’ returning star-studded cast includes series lead and executive producer Zoe Saldaña; Laysla De Oliveira; Emmy^® nominee Michael Kelly; with Oscar winner Morgan Freeman, who will be a series regular in season two; and Oscar winner and executive producer Nicole Kidman. The record-breaking espionage thriller is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios exclusively for Paramount+.

Season one of LIONESS set a new record as the service’s most-watched worldwide series premiere on launch day, at that time, with nearly six million total viewers in its first week across Paramount+ globally and a linear preview on the Paramount Network.

"Our Paramount+ audience resoundingly has joined forces in support of LIONESS’ gripping, global story and the powerhouse performances from Zoe Saldaña, Laysla De Oliveira and Nicole Kidman," said Jeff Grossman, Executive Vice President, Programming, Paramount+. "We cannot wait to see more of the heart-stopping suspense and action that Taylor Sheridan and the incredibly talented team deliver in its second season."

“LIONESS captivated audiences around the world as one of the most-watched global series premieres on Paramount+ last year," said Chris McCarthy, Office of the CEO, Paramount Global and President & CEO, SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios. "Driven by Taylor Sheridan's masterful storytelling and Nicole Kidman’s and Zoe Saldaña’s remarkable performances, season two promises to immerse audiences in yet another riveting, adrenaline-fueled journey."

LIONESS, inspired by an actual U.S. Military program, follows the life of Joe (Saldaña) while she attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the CIA's spear in the war on terror. The series also stars Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton and Hannah Love Lanier. The series is executive produced by Taylor Sheridan, David C. Glasser, Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin, Jill Wagner, David Lemanowicz, Geyer Kosinski, Michael Friedman and Keith Cox and is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

In addition to LIONESS, Sheridan’s growing slate on Paramount+ includes TULSA KING, MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN and LANDMAN, which currently are all in production; 1923, which will begin filming its second season later this year; LAWMEN: BASS REEVES; and 1883.

For more information about Paramount+ and LIONESS, please visit www.paramountplus.com, and follow @ParamountPlus and @LionessPPlus on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. 

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About Paramount+

Paramount+, part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment and news brands, is a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, combining live sports, breaking news and A Mountain of Entertainment™. The streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME^®, the service's cornerstone plan, is also home to SHOWTIME^® content, including scripted hits and critically acclaimed nonfiction projects and films. This premium plan includes unmatched events and sports programming through the local live CBS stream, including golf, basketball and more. All Paramount+ subscribers have streaming access to CBS News Network for 24/7 news and CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis.

For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com, and follow @ParamountPlus on social media.

About Paramount Media Networks & MTVE Entertainment Studios

SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks is a global network of media assets that reaches over one billion people in more than 180 countries featuring some of the most iconic brands in entertainment including SHOWTIME, MTV, Comedy Central and Paramount Network among others – and, its Studios arm which produces 120+ series annually, including some of today’s biggest hits such as Yellowstone, Yellowjackets, Emily in Paris, 1883, 1923, George & Tammy, South Park, Tulsa King, RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Challenge and Jersey Shore, to name a few.

About 101 Studios

101 Studios is a global entertainment company dedicated to the acquisition, financing, development, production and distribution of high-caliber, creator-driven content. With an unmatched television slate partnered with outstanding filmmakers and talent, 101 Studios productions include  the award-winning series “Yellowstone,” “George & Tammy,” 1883 and 1923. We also produce some of the most critically acclaimed shows, such as LAWMEN: BASS REEVES, MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN, TULSA KING and SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS. Upcoming projects include LANDMAN, starring Billy Bob Thornton.

Building upon this success, 101 Studios’ Unscripted Division works with talented storytellers in bringing their vision to life. Some of these projects include Amazon Prime documentary “Kickback” which is an expose on the corruption inside the largest sport’s organization in the world: FIFA; “The Last Cowboy” a documentary on the high stakes world of professional horse reining and the upcoming HBO docuseries about the sexual abuse and cover-up at Ohio State University, co-produced by George Clooney and Grant Heslov's Smokehouse Pictures. On the scripted film side, past releases include the Sundance Audience award winner "Burden," as well as the family comedy “The War With Grandpa”, the historical drama "The Current War: Director's Cut," and FINESTKIND. 101 Studios advocates for first-class collaboration and innovation. As an example  we are partnered with iHeartRadio and Sports Illustrated Studios on the Ambie nominated podcast “Choosing Sides: F1”. 101 Studios also produces high-profile sports content under its own label, 101 Sports. Additionally, 101 Studios' Brand Division increases the exposure for  the properties of our partners to millions across the world.

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Paramount+ Contacts:

Natalie Speck: Natalie.Speck@paramount.com

Jamie Kekejian: Jamie.Kekejian@showtime.com

MTV Entertainment Studios Contacts:

Charli Wood: Charli.Wood@paramount.com

Patrick Santiago: Patrick.Santiago@paramount.com

101 Studios Contact:

Dani Weinstein: dweinstein@101studiosco.com