Taylor Sheridan is right to shake up Special Ops: Lioness

A rumor suggests Taylor Sheridan’s action-packed series, Special Ops: Lioness, will make big changes with Season 2 – here’s why that’s a good thing.

The gripping finale of Special Ops: Lioness Season 1 left fans reeling with uncertainty and anticipation, leaving plenty of room to explore the story in a second chapter. 

However, according to insider Daniel Richtman, the military-thriller series will return for a Season 2, but it will be an anthology series with a new cast. 

Although this is yet to be confirmed, here’s why it might not be a bad thing for Taylor Sheridan to shake up the format. 

Taylor Sheridan is right to shake up Special Ops: Lioness for Season 2

Let’s not get it twisted – the brilliance of the ensemble cast in Special Ops: Lioness can’t be understated. Laysla De Oliveira’s portrayal of Cruz Manuelos, a conflicted Marine thrust into the murky world of espionage, is mesmerizing, while Zoe Saldana’s depiction of Joe brought depth and emotional resonance to the screen.

Then you’ve got Hollywood heavyweights Morgan Freeman and Nicole Kidman bringing their starry talents to the story, which sees Joe and Cruz leading The Lioness Program, part of the CIA’s efforts to thwart the next 9/11.

But while the cast is fantastic, and there’s certainly unfinished business between Cruz and Joe, the story can end comfortably where it did. Ultimately, the end of their arcs exemplifies the depressing truth that violence doesn’t end violence – and there are no winners in a war led by greed and power. As Cruz tells Joe at the end of their mission, “All we did was make the next generation of terrorists.”

This sentiment can be applied in so many contexts, which is why Sheridan might be right to shake up Season 2. Richtman claims that the next chapter will be “set in Mexico and be about the war against the Mexican drug cartel.” These themes of corruption, power, and the cyclical nature of violence would undoubtedly resonate in a storyline focused on this area. 

The brutal reality of the cartel wars, where greed and power drive conflict and devastation, provides a rich backdrop for exploring the moral complexities faced by characters like Cruz and Joe.

Sheridan’s expertise in crafting gripping narratives within the realm of law enforcement and organized crime is also evident in his previous work, notably the acclaimed 2015 film Sicario. Directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Sheridan, Sicario masterfully navigates the shadowy world of drug trafficking along the US-Mexico border. The film’s gritty realism, tense atmosphere, and morally ambiguous characters captivated audiences and critics alike. 

Sheridan’s keen understanding of the subject matter, coupled with his ability to weave intricate plots and compelling characters, bodes well for his potential exploration of the Mexican drug cartel conflict in Special Ops: Lioness Season 2. 

Special Ops: Lioness as an anthology makes sense

Sheridan’s rumored decision to transform the series into an anthology format is a bold yet potentially brilliant move. Anthology series offer the opportunity to delve into new storylines, settings, and characters with each season, unshackling the narrative from the constraints of continuity. 

From The Sinner to True Detective, this format has proven successful in crime settings, breathing new life into established franchises while captivating audiences with fresh perspectives.

Amid the possible transformation of Special Ops: Lioness, it’s also worth highlighting Sheridan’s experiences with Yellowstone. Despite the immense success of the series, there have been scheduling complications with the cast, and some fans are beginning to tire. 

With Freeman, Saldana, and Kidman being in high demand, it would be a tricky task getting them all back together for Season 2, even in the face of established success. Fans would likely much rather see a second chapter sooner, rather than leaving it stuck in development hell as they wait for the actors’ schedules to align. Ultimately, embracing change might be essential for the series’ evolution and longevity.