Jill Wagner: From Actress to Anti-Terror Creator

Actress Jill Wagner was instrumental in the development of the Paramount+ series "Lioness." She conceived the initial idea for the show, which centers on an anti-terrorist team of undercover CIA operatives, and pitched it to creator Taylor Sheridan. Wagner's inspiration stemmed from conversations with her husband, a U.S. Army major, about the impressive women he served with.

Wagner, who also stars as QRF team leader Bobby, expressed a desire to avoid sensationalizing the female characters. She aimed for authentic storytelling, highlighting the sacrifices of real women serving the country. "Lioness" allowed Wagner to fulfill a long-held personal aspiration to portray a military member, honoring her family's own military service history.

The series, which recently concluded its third season, serves as a tribute to those in the armed forces. Wagner views her role and the show as a way to pay homage to military service members and tell their important, often untold, stories.