In Special Ops: Lioness Season 2, Laysla De Oliveira reprises her role as Cruz Manuelos, a complex and fierce character with a military background. Cruz is a former Marine who joined the CIA’s Lioness program to escape a troubled past and prove herself.
In season 1, she was assigned a high-stakes mission to infiltrate the inner circle of Aaliyah Amrohi, the daughter of a dangerous terrorist leader. Throughout that mission, Cruz formed a deep and complicated bond with Aaliyah, which created conflicts between her duty and her emotions.
While Cruz doesn’t appear in the early episodes of season 2, her name remains in the credits, and it’s confirmed she will return. Zoe Saldana, who plays her handler Joe, hinted in an interview that Cruz’s reappearance will bring new dimensions to her relationship with Joe, adding both tension and growth to the storyline.
Season 1 finale
The mission took a dark turn when Aaliyah’s brother Ehsan discovered Cruz’s CIA ties. Cruz had to make a tough choice, ultimately killing both Ehsan and their father to save her own life. While Cruz was rescued by her Lioness team, the emotional toll was immense.
In a heated moment on the rescue boat, she lashed out at her handler, Joe, blaming her for the traumatic experiences and vowing to never be a Lioness again.
Surprisingly, Cruz doesn’t appear in the first few episodes of season 2. This unexpected absence left fans wondering if she was truly gone from the storyline or if the show was building up to a dramatic return.
While Cruz is missing in action at the start of the season, she is not out of the picture entirely. De Oliveira’s name is still listed in the opening credits, which strongly suggests she will appear later in the season.
Additionally, Zoe Saldana, who plays Joe, confirmed in an interview with Collider that Cruz will return and hinted at changes in their relationship dynamic.
Speculations about Cruz’s role in season 2
Without Cruz’s presence early on, speculation has been rife. Is she coming back as a main character, or will her role be smaller? Some fans believe she might return in a supporting or guest role rather than taking the spotlight as she did in season 1.
Season 2 is set to explore a new side of Joe and Cruz’s complex relationship. According to Saldana, Joe sees potential in Cruz that she didn’t recognize before. This shift could mean a new mentor-mentee dynamic or even an alliance if Cruz returns to the CIA in some capacity.
Season 2 has introduced fresh plotlines and new characters, making it hard to predict how Cruz might fit into the current narrative. Whether her return will directly influence these storylines or if she will be more of a background figure remains to be seen.
Although it’s confirmed that Cruz will return, it’s still unclear if she will be a central focus or if her story will serve as a secondary plotline. Her new role might depend on how much the show wants to explore her relationship with Joe and how Cruz has evolved since her traumatic experiences in season 1.
Season 2 is likely to touch on Cruz’s inner conflicts and how she’s dealing with the trauma from her mission. If she does rejoin the CIA, viewers might see a stronger, more resilient version of her, or she might be haunted by the choices she made, giving her character more depth.
Although Cruz has been absent from the first episodes of season 2, all signs point to her return. Whether she’ll remain a central character or play a smaller role, her reappearance promises to bring fresh tension and emotional depth to the show. With hints of new dynamics with Joe and potential growth in her own storyline, Cruz’s return could be one of the season's most anticipated moments.
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