Taylor Sheridan is back in front of the camera for Lioness season 3, reprising his role as Cody Spears, the Delta Force team leader he first played in season 2. The show's creator has previously appeared in his own productions as Travis Wheatley in Yellowstone and Charles Goodnight in 1883.
Lioness, which premiered in 2023, follows Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña), a CIA senior case officer in charge of the Lioness programme. Its cast includes Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman and Genesis Rodriguez.
Who is Cody Spears in Lioness?
Sheridan first appeared on screen in the second season of Lioness, playing Cody Spears for three episodes. The character is the team leader of a small Delta Force unit that was assigned to the CIA to retrieve Congresswoman Hernandez from Mexico.
After rescuing the Congresswoman from the cartel, his unit got into a shootout with local law enforcement and had to call for backup.
What the cast says about Sheridan
Co-stars have praised Sheridan's on-screen work. Jill Wagner told TV Insider: "I think it's an honour because he loves this show so much, and he plays Cody to perfection. I don't think there's anybody else that should ever play Cody."
Laysla De Oliveira added: "It's so fun to play with him as an actor. Anytime you have someone who creates the show, who's your boss, and then all of sudden, now you have a pure actor-to-actor relationship [it's great]."
Thad Luckinbill, who plays Kyle McManus, told The Hollywood Reporter: "He's so real. Whether he's an actor, writer, director or a producer, he's still the same guy. He's gonna give you the same opinions, and he cares the same about the product. So it doesn't really change. He is who he is and you get it. He's full access."
Sheridan's season 3 role and fan reaction
Luckinbill did not go into detail about what Sheridan's character would get up to in season 3, but said: "He's involved. I mean, he has a role, which is great. And the show's better for it when he plays a role."
Some fans have been surprised by his appearance. One Reddit user wrote after the first episode that they "almost didn't recognise" Sheridan, adding: "First impressions - DAMN. I can't wait for the rest of the season!"
Lioness season 3 is streaming on Paramount+.
