Exploring ‘Lioness’ and Kevin Costner’s Iconic Role in ‘Yellowstone’: Insights into Taylor Sheridan’s
Zoe Saldana and Nicole Kidman are gearing up for another CIA mission in Paramount+’s “Lioness,” debuting this Sunday. Meanwhile, Billy Bob Thornton is ready to make waves in the West Texas oil drama “Landman,” set to premiere on November 17, the same day Sylvester Stallone wraps up Season 2 of “Tulsa King.”
In Montana’s cattle country, the fierce couple Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) return to the fold on November 10 for the second half of “Yellowstone” Season 5, albeit without patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner).
Taylor Sheridan’s ever-evolving TV universe is fast-paced and dynamic, extending from “Yellowstone” to “Tulsa King.” Here are some burning questions about the Sheridanverse: Is there a new ‘Lioness’? What happened to ‘Special Ops’?
In Season 2 of “Lioness,” CIA chief Kaitlyn Meade (Kidman) and her elite colleague Joe McNamara (Saldana) are on the hunt for a new Lioness agent to infiltrate a Mexican cartel family. Army Capt. Josephina “Josie” Carillo (Genesis Rodriguez) steps up for the dangerous mission, learning ground tactics with the help of seasoned fighters, including a rugged Cody, played by a impressively buff Sheridan. The previous agent from “Special Ops: Lioness,” Marine Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira), also returns to lend support.
Paramount Studios hasn’t clarified why “Special Ops” was dropped from the title, but the covert CIA operations will continue just over the U.S.-Mexico border, with Joe balancing high-stakes missions and family drama.
And who’s drilling for hits in “Landman”? Thornton, who appeared in “1883,” stars as Tommy Norris, an oil executive navigating company crises and his tumultuous relationship with ex-wife Angela (Ali Larter). Adapted from co-creator Christian Wallace’s 2019 podcast “Boomtown,” the series features Jon Hamm as oil industry titan Monty Miller, married to savvy advisor Cami (Demi Moore). Andy Garcia plays a powerful businessman, while Michael Peña takes on the role of a veteran roughneck.
As for “Yellowstone,” with Kevin Costner’s exit, the question remains: Who will take the reins of the Dutton ranch? The manner of John Dutton’s departure is one of TV’s biggest mysteries. In the upcoming episodes, fan-favorite couple Rip and Beth will shoulder much of the emotional weight, even as Costner’s character appears in a new trailer through cleverly edited footage. However, no new scenes featuring Costner were filmed.
