Taylor Sheridan has been on a creative tear, and his latest triumph is Lioness, which just stormed to the #1 position on Paramount+ worldwide. The third season of the CIA thriller, starring Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, and Morgan Freeman, premiered on August 2 with an episode titled "The Spider and the Fly," and it didn't take long for audiences to flock to it. The show's mix of high-stakes espionage and Sheridan's signature dusty, neo-Western aesthetic has made it an instant must-watch.
For those unfamiliar, Lioness is often described as a cross between Zero Dark Thirty and Yellowstone—a tense, character-driven thriller that feels both gritty and cinematic. It's a formula that has clearly resonated with viewers, especially those who've followed Sheridan's career from his early days writing films like Sicario to his current reign over Paramount+'s programming slate.
Sheridan's 2026 has been nothing short of prolific. He kicked off the year with two new neo-Westerns: Marshals, a Yellowstone spin-off starring Luke Grimes that notably aired on CBS before hitting streaming, and The Madison, a slower-burn, emotionally charged drama featuring Kurt Russell and Michelle Pfeiffer. Both shows earned mixed reviews but were quickly renewed for second seasons, a testament to Sheridan's ability to draw audiences regardless of critical consensus.
He's also expanded the Yellowstone universe with Dutton Ranch, another spin-off that's already been renewed for a second season, though no premiere date has been announced. And on the film front, Sheridan is returning to his screenwriting roots with the action movie F.A.S.T., which was recently pushed to May 2027 after an initial April 2026 release date was scrapped.
But right now, all eyes are on Lioness. The show had been on a two-year hiatus since its last season in 2024, and its return has been met with enthusiasm. The Season 3 premiere has not only claimed the top spot on Paramount+, but it's also part of a broader trend: Sheridan's shows are dominating the platform's top 10. Yellowstone, the Kevin Costner-led Western that's also available on Peacock, sits at #3, while Tulsa King, his Sylvester Stallone crime drama, holds the #7 spot. Even Dutton Ranch, which wrapped its first season over a month ago, is still hanging on at #8.
This kind of sustained success is rare in the streaming world, where shows often spike and fade. Sheridan has managed to build a loyal audience that follows him across genres, from modern-day oil fields to historical ranches to covert operations. His ability to blend familiar tropes—family loyalty, power struggles, moral ambiguity—with fresh settings keeps viewers coming back for more.
If you haven't caught Lioness yet, now's the perfect time to dive in. The new season is streaming exclusively on Paramount+, and with the show's momentum, it's likely to stay on top for a while. For more on Sheridan's expanding universe, check out our analysis of his streaming dominance and why Landman is being called 'Succession' in Texas.
As Sheridan continues to churn out hits, it's clear he's not just a showrunner—he's a brand. Whether it's the gritty realism of Lioness or the sprawling drama of Yellowstone, his stories resonate because they're rooted in timeless themes of survival and ambition. And with F.A.S.T. on the horizon, there's no sign of him slowing down.
So, if you're looking for your next binge, look no further than Lioness. It's a gripping, action-packed thriller that proves Sheridan still knows how to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. And with the show's #1 ranking, you're not alone in thinking so.
