[This story contains spoilers from the season two finale of Lioness.]
The second season of Taylor Sheridan’s CIA operative series Lioness ended with a bang on several fronts.
The finale of the Paramount+ series starring Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, Dave Annable, Michael Kelly and Morgan Freeman pulled no punches when the U.S. Secretary of State (Freeman) gave Deputy Director of the CIA Byron Westfield (Kelly) the authority to do a special ops mission with the CIA-led Quick Reaction Force team (QRF) Lioness team off the Turkey/Iranian border. Intel suggested the Iranians were planning to smuggle in two Chinese scientists to help with their nuclear program. American intelligence agencies already knew that the Chinese took part in having a Mexican cartel kidnap a U.S. congresswoman — taking her across the border and executing her family. It was time for some payback.
Leading the kill mission of the Chinese operatives in Iran would be new Lioness recruit Josephina Carrillo, a U.S. Army captain and helicopter pilot played by Genesis Rodriguez, who was forced into the Lioness organization because her family is part of the cartel that kidnapped the congresswoman. Known as Josie, Carrillo would face some ugly truths about the family she had purposely ignored and risk her life in an all-out miniwar with Iranian solders after her helicopter gets shot down on the Iranian side, along with fellow Lioness recruit (and her lover) Cruz (Laysla De Oliveira).
Meanwhile, back in America, CIA bosses Kidman and Kelly decide they want to get rid of the cartel leader who kidnapped the congresswoman and elevate his brother, Pablo Carrillo (Josie’s father, played by Demian Castro), to take over the family business. They use Pablo to get an introduction with his brother in Mexico, and then order Pablo to assassinate the brother at close range while they watch. Pablo will now be the CIA’s puppet, and will stay out of maximum-security prison.
The Hollywood Reporter recently caught up with Rodriquez, who has been getting serious buzz for her performance as Carrillo. The actress spoke about growing in her role, how intense a Sheridan war scene can be and what’s next — including her hope for a Lioness season three.
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What was the hardest part for you in shooting Lioness?
All of it was a challenge. From the very beginning to auditioning and getting the job to actually doing all of it. It wasn’t natural for me, it was actually like a challenge. I knew, “Ok, this is the right project because this scares the bejesus out of me and this is what I could head straight towards.” When it scares you, there is this growth. I was just so grateful for the experience, because I knew I was going to grow as a person as well.
Is Carrillo turned on by the fact that Cruz defended her against her brutal father? What sparked the romance between these two characters?
I think it was a lot of things. I’m sure Cruz saw herself in what Josie is going through, and that was the live connection. And for Josie, it was the one person who had spoken to her like a human, who had treated her and connected with her, and understood where she was coming from. Josie felt safe around her from the get-go, because she was straight up with her from the beginning. Honestly, it was the one saving grace for her, it was her little hope in the whole mission.
Speaking of her father, was Josie totally shock by her father’s brutal political authoritarian dogma?
I think so. Sometimes, with people we’re close to, we can see them with rose-colored glasses. We could look away at certain things because it’s family, or because we grew up with this person and they were our best friend or whatever the case may be. We can look away and put blinders on for these people. But then there could be so much avoidance until you’re actually confronted with this person again, and you’re seeing them for who they are. And you are your own person at this point; you just can see them for who they are. That was a huge shock for her. I think she probably had a suspicion about her father, but never came to the realization until this mission.
Can your father be trusted as the new leader of the cartel?
I think they wouldn’t have chosen him if they weren’t able to control him, or trust that they would be able to control him. But, how much can you control? It’s a tricky situation, all of it. That’s that scene with Byron [played by Michael Kelly] when they were in the plane and he threw up [after the CIA forced Josie’s father to assassinate his own brother and take over the cartel]. He was like, “What makes me sick is how little will change. It’s the same thing just a different face.” I think that is the whole issue. Nothing really changes.
In what ways has Corrillo’s life been changed by the CIA/Lioness program and seeing her family — particularly, her father — in a new light?
Her whole entire world is shattered. Her job was taken away from her, the thing she dedicated her life to since she was 18. She fought her way into the army, she worked her way up, and that was stripped away from her. Then she is forced to confront something she’s been avoiding since childhood, which is what her family is doing. So, her family is taken away from her. Now she’s in the grey, and she has to make do with this team and figure her life out. It was really just awful, her circle. But I do feel like she found her way by the end: “I still get to do what I know how to do within this new team.”
What was going through your mind when filming that realistic and scary as hell war scene in the finale, when Carrillo lets out that cry and scream. Was that scream improvised?
It was scripted. When I saw “Josie screams,” I could imagine how it would go on the day. But then you’re actually feeling the effects go off and seeing all the extras, and actually living in that moment. And then the scream just comes out like pure instinct. I never expected to be in a war film in my career, and then this episode happened. I am so proud of this episode. This episode was chef’s kiss, with Taylor delivering, delivering.
Who was the most fun cast member to work with in this star-studded group?
This whole entire cast was so dedicated to this show. We gave it our all. You could see that everyone was putting everything into this. But I do have to shout out Zoe [Saldaña]. I have loved her for so many years. I’ve looked up to her for so long, and to share screen time with her and moments and scenes has just been a very big gift. She is amazing on- and off-screen. I’m obsessed with her. She could do no wrong in my eyes and she is a one-of-a-kind talent. To witness that, I feel really, really blessed. I’m really grateful for this job.
What really kicked your ass while filming Lioness?
This whole series kicked my ass in the best way possible. It challenged me in the best ways, because I didn’t know what I was capable of. I didn’t know I could put on that muscle. I didn’t know that I could fly a helicopter. I didn’t know I can act in a scene with Zoe. I didn’t know I could do all the things that I was able to do. I’m just grateful for all of the challenges, because it pushed me and it made me grow.
Are you hyped up for the next season?
I mean, good Lord, I hope we get a next season! We would be so into it! I’m crossing all my fingers and toes that we get picked up for another season.
What’s next for you? I hear you will be in season three of Netflix’s Night Agent.
I am playing such a different part in Night Agent right now. We’re in Istanbul. And it’s a lot of fun! It’s a lot of action and, of course, a lot of twists and turns. I’m super-hyped because it’s kind of jarring. I went from this very tough, physical character [in Lioness] to a very cerebral character [in Night Agent]. It’s a lot of fun for me. Again, I love a challenge.
I really am just very grateful. I’m still coming off of the high of Lioness and I’m really grateful for everyone watching and embracing the show. So at the moment, I’m just hoping for a season three of Lioness!
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Lioness seasons one and two are now streaming on Paramount+.
English (US) ·