Taylor Sheridan has found his next breakout star—and it’s a familiar face. Rising actor Elizaveta Neretin, best known for her striking turn in Mayor of Kingstown, has been roped in for a major recurring role in Season 3 of Sheridan’s high-stakes espionage thriller Lioness.
The series stars and is executive produced by Zoe Saldaña and Nicole Kidman, and has quickly become one of Paramount+’s most talked-about prestige dramas.
Who Is Elizaveta Neretin Playing?
In the upcoming season, Neretin will portray an international operative whose path collides with Joe, Saldaña’s hardened CIA officer at the center of the Lioness program. While details about her character are being kept tightly under wraps, sources indicate her role will be pivotal to the evolving power dynamics of the series.
Season 3 will also introduce Ian Bohen as a new series regular, further expanding the show’s already stacked ensemble.
Where Lioness Left Off
Season 2 pushed the CIA’s war on terror closer to home, forcing Joe, Kaitlyn (Nicole Kidman), and Byron (Michael Kelly) to recruit a new Lioness operative to infiltrate an emerging, previously unknown threat.
As pressure mounted from every direction, Joe was compelled to confront the heavy personal cost of leading the covert program—setting the stage for an even darker, more complex third season.
A Cast Packed With Heavyweights
Alongside Saldaña and Kidman, Season 2 featured an impressive lineup including Morgan Freeman, Laysla De Oliveira, Genesis Rodriguez, Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, and several others.
Kidman’s performance earned her a 2024 Critics Choice Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, underlining the show’s awards-season credibility.
Taylor Sheridan’s Stamp of Trust
What makes Neretin’s casting especially noteworthy is her long-standing association with Sheridan. She was first discovered by him during casting for Mayor of Kingstown in 2021, landing the role of Vera. After graduating from Juilliard Drama in mid-2025, she was swiftly brought back into the Sheridan fold—this time for Lioness.
Her résumé also includes guest appearances on The Flash and The 100, but Lioness marks her biggest step yet into prestige television territory.
Behind the Scenes
Lioness is executive produced by Taylor Sheridan, alongside Saldaña, Kidman, and a long list of industry veterans. The series is produced by Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios, and streams exclusively on Paramount+.
Final Words
Elizaveta Neretin’s addition to Lioness Season 3 feels less like a gamble and more like a calculated escalation. With Taylor Sheridan backing her once again and a globally acclaimed cast around her, this role could mark the moment she breaks firmly into the spotlight. If Lioness continues its upward trajectory, Neretin may soon be one of the most watched new faces in prestige TV espionage.
