What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedLioness
Taylor Sheridan · Series · 2023
If you loved Lioness, start with Body of Lies (Ridley Scott, 2008) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Lioness across media.
What hooked you in Lioness was the way high-stakes espionage and military duty collide with the heavy burden of moral compromise.
Books on the same thread
The Women
Kristin Hannah · Book
Shares 2 threads with Lioness: female empowerment, Military Drama.
If you appreciated the internal struggle of Cruz Manuelos in Lioness, you will connect with this nurse's harrowing journey through the trauma and social upheaval of serving during wartime.
Reacher: Persuader
Lee Child · Book
Shares a thread with Lioness: undercover operations.
Fans of the tactical undercover operations in Lioness will recognize the same ruthless pursuit of justice as Jack Reacher infiltrates a dangerous fortress to rescue a compromised agent.
The Women: A Novel
Kristin Hannah · Book · 2024
Explores: Female Friendship, Coming-of-Age, Trauma.
Much like the personal sacrifices seen in Lioness, this novel explores the profound emotional toll of war and the unbreakable bonds formed between women amidst significant personal trauma.
The Late Show
Michael Connelly · Book · 2017
Explores: Female Detective, LAPD, Redemption.
If you were drawn to the professional intensity of the Lioness program, you will admire this driven detective as she navigates the complex, often corrupt landscape of the LAPD.
Films on the same thread
Warfare
Ray Mendoza · Film · 2025
Explores: Band of Brothers, Trauma and Memory, Urban Warfare.
Those who found the military camaraderie of Lioness compelling will appreciate this visceral look at the trauma and memory shared by a platoon of SEALs in active combat.
Body of Lies
Ridley Scott · Film · 2008
Shares 3 threads with Lioness: Moral Ambiguity, Espionage Thriller, Political Thriller.
This film mirrors the moral ambiguity and high-stakes CIA operations of Lioness, following an operative who must constantly adapt to the shifting, dangerous landscape of Middle Eastern conflict.
The Woman King
Gina Prince-Bythewood · Film · 2022
Shares a thread with Lioness: Female Empowerment.
If the female empowerment and rigorous training in Lioness resonated with you, you will be captivated by this story of warrior women fighting to protect their kingdom from colonialism.
Sicario
Denis Villeneuve · Film · 2015
Shares a thread with Lioness: Moral Ambiguity.
This film captures the same sense of loss of innocence and government corruption that defines the most intense, psychologically challenging missions found throughout the Lioness series.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Rest Is Classified
Podcast
Explores: Cold War, Intelligence agencies, Covert operations.
For viewers who enjoy the intelligence analysis and covert operations behind the scenes of Lioness, this podcast pulls back the curtain on the real-world complexities of modern espionage.
The Preamble
Sharon McMahon · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Critical thinking, Media literacy, Civic engagement.
If you were engaged by the political tensions and complex geopolitical maneuvering in Lioness, this show provides the critical thinking and clarity needed to understand our current world.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Lioness based on a true story or a book?
Lioness is a television series created by Taylor Sheridan that premiered in 2023. It does not have any source-material or book adaptations, as the story of Cruz Manuelos and the CIA's Lioness Engagement Team is an original narrative developed for the screen.
What is the main premise of Lioness?
Lioness follows Cruz Manuelos, a passionate young Marine recruited into the CIA's Lioness Engagement Team. Under the leadership of station chief Joe, the team works to infiltrate and dismantle a terrorist organization by utilizing female undercover operatives to carry out high-stakes missions from within.
Who is the lead character in Lioness?
The central character in Lioness is Cruz Manuelos, a rough-around-the-edges Marine. She is recruited by the CIA to serve as an undercover operative. She works directly under the supervision of Joe, who acts as the station chief responsible for training and managing the Lioness program team.
What is the role of Joe in Lioness?
In Lioness, Joe serves as the station chief for the CIA's Lioness Engagement Team. Her primary responsibilities include training, managing, and leading the team of female undercover operatives tasked with the mission of bringing down a terrorist organization from the inside.