Lioness Season 3 Finally Gives Cruz the Promotion Iowa Fans Have Waited For
Taylor Sheridan's hit spy thriller Lioness is making waves in Season 3, and for Iowa viewers who have followed the series since its debut, one long-overdue character upgrade is finally happening. Cruz Manuelos, played by Laysla De Oliveira, is stepping out of the shadows and into the briefing room, earning the respect of the CIA's highest-ranking officials.
The third season of the Yellowstone co-creator's Paramount+ series premiered on August 2 and has quickly become one of the most-watched shows in the world, according to FlixPatrol. For fans in the Hawkeye State, this season marks a turning point for one of the show's most compelling characters.
What Happens to Cruz in Lioness Season 3?
In Season 3, Episode 3, titled “The Bear Is Infected,” Cruz sits in on a high-level briefing with Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña), Kyle McManus (Thad Luckinbill), Kaitlin Meade (Nicole Kidman), and Byron Westfield (Michael Kelly). Her inclusion comes after her involvement in the interrogation of Oleksandra “Oleksa” Balakin, a Ukrainian double agent.
When Joe asks for Cruz's opinion on the case, Kaitlin initially pushes back, saying, “She's not trained in counterespionage or interrogation or NLP.” But Westfield, the CIA Deputy Director for Operations, offers a strong vote of confidence: “She was interrogated while she was under. She held her cover, and she completed her mission. I would say she's pretty trained. And I'd very much like her opinion.”
Why This Promotion Matters for the Series
Cruz has come a long way since her introduction as the first Lioness in Season 1. She was brought in to take down Saudi business executive Asmar Ali Amrohi by forming a relationship with his daughter, Aaliyah. She completed her mission but stepped back from the team due to the toll it took on her.
In Season 2, Cruz was called back to shadow new asset Josie Carrillo, and she has stayed with the team ever since. Now, in Season 3, she is gaining the trust of the highest-ranking officials around her, and Westfield's endorsement could change how she is perceived moving forward.
Could Cruz Become the Next Lioness Team Leader?
Aside from Joe, Cruz is the most adept person to lead the Lioness team. Joe herself was once a Lioness, proving that field experience lends perspective to running the operation. With Joe facing personal attacks and even being taken into Russian custody later in the season, the door may be open for Cruz to step up.
Viewers have watched Cruz evolve from a fast-food worker to a skilled Marine and Lioness. This season, she is evolving again, from a field asset to a strategic voice in CIA briefings. If the series continues into Season 4 and beyond, Cruz's promotion could set the stage for her to take over the team entirely.
What Iowa Fans Should Know
Lioness Season 3 airs Sundays on Paramount+. The show stars Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, and Michael Kelly, and is created by Taylor Sheridan and Jill Wagner. For Iowa viewers who appreciate strong storytelling and character development, this season delivers on both fronts.
The series continues to be one of the most-watched in the world, and with Cruz finally getting her due, fans have plenty of reasons to stay tuned.
New episodes of Lioness Season 3 premiere Sundays on Paramount+.