Viewers are calling new spy thriller TV show 'one of the best series 2023'

Viewers are going wild for the new series Special Ops: Lioness, and with the likes of Zoe Saldaña, Morgan Freeman and Nicole Kidman starring in it, it's easy to see why.

The American spy thriller dropped on Paramount+ in July and it's since gone down a storm with fans.

Those who have seen the exciting new show insist that if you're a fan of Jack Ryan and Homeland, then you'll love Special Ops as well.

The series is based on Force Recon Marine Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira) who has to befriend the daughter of a suspected terrorist, who is being surveilled by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Saldaña stars as CIA agent Joe, who is in charge of the Lioness programme in the field, while Kidman plays her supervisor, Kaitlyn Meade.

Elsewhere, Britney Spears' estranged husband Sam Asghari also has makes a guest appearance in one of the episodes.

One fan has hailed the programme as a 'lovechild between Jack Ryan and Tehran', while someone else said: "One of the best series 2023. I loved it so much."

Paramount+

And a third went on to gush: "I think this show is brilliant, it’s been a while since I’ve looked forward to the next episode week to week."

Part of an avid TV-watcher's review posted on the Netflix Bangers Facebook page read: "Led by Joe (Zoe Saldana) move to thwart an international threat while navigating the geopolitics that come with the job within the intelligence community.... this is from the brain trust of Taylor Sheridan so you can expect some really decent thriller elements such as the likes of the Mexico escort scene in Sicario or the high tension heist elements from Hell or High Water."

While this reviewer gave it an overall 8/10, Special Ops has a less impressive 55 percent on Rotten Tomatoes' average tomatometer.

If you're wanting to give the show a watch and don't have Paramount+, fear not! Special Ops: Lioness is also available to stream on Amazon Prime.

Paramount+

Frontwoman Saldaña is best known for her roles on the big screen and has featured in blockbusters like Guardians of the Galaxy, Avatar and Star Trek - though she recently admitted that she 'feared' focusing more on TV roles.

Speaking to Radio Times ahead of Special Ops' release, Saldaña said: "My ignorant mind feared [the move to TV]. I felt it would be accepting my fate, saying, 'My youth is done, I’m a woman in my 40s, I’m no longer sexy,' but that’s not the case.

"My manager told me, 'You need to understand the market. You need to go where good content is, whether that’s a big screen, onstage or on TV.'

Saldaña also recently starred in the Netflix series, From Scratch.

Topics: TV And Film, Nicole Kidman

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

@NiamhShackleton