Cruz Manuelos has come a long way since she was first recruited into the CIA’s Lioness program. After initially resisting the world of espionage and struggling with the personal cost of her missions, the character is now beginning to accept that this dangerous life may be exactly where she belongs.

Laysla De Oliveira, who plays Cruz in Lioness, believes her character has always known on some level that she was suited for the job. Her relationship with Josie Carrillo certainly gives Cruz another reason to stay, but according to De Oliveira, there is something deeper driving her growing connection to the team.

Cruz Is Finally Accepting Her Place in the CIA

When Lioness began, Cruz was far from enthusiastic about leaving her Marine duties to join Joe’s CIA task force.

Her first season ended with one of the most painful experiences of her career: She was forced to betray Aaliyah Amrohi, the first person she had truly fallen in love with.

That experience made Cruz even less eager to return to the program in Season 2. Nevertheless, Joe brought her back to shadow Josie, a newcomer played by Genesis Rodriguez.

By Season 3, however, Cruz’s attitude has noticeably changed.

She is now in a serious relationship with Josie, and her place within the QRF seems much more comfortable. But De Oliveira says Cruz’s evolving feelings about the spy world go beyond her personal relationship.

In a recent Season 3 scene, Cruz witnessed Kyle McManus, played by Thad Luckinbill, using his own interrogation methods to identify a Ukrainian double agent. During their exchange, Cruz insisted that she was not really interested in the spy business.

De Oliveira believes that response was not entirely genuine.

“I think she wants to think that she’s not a part of the life,” the actress explained, adding that Cruz also knows deep down that she may already be part of it.

That becomes particularly clear when Kyle points out that she is still doing the work. Cruz responds with a smile and laugh, which De Oliveira sees as an indication that her character understands the truth.

Cruz Knows This Could Be Her Calling

De Oliveira also pointed to an earlier moment at CIA headquarters as evidence that Cruz has gradually found her place within the organization.

When Deputy Director Byron Westfield, played by Michael Kelly, asks for Cruz’s opinion, she has one ready.

According to De Oliveira, Cruz is naturally observant and intelligent, and she is rarely afraid to form her own perspective. Joe also values Cruz’s judgment and wants to hear what she thinks.

That recognition appears to have changed how Cruz views herself within the organization.

De Oliveira believes that, deep down, Cruz understands that this career could be her calling, even if she still finds it difficult to fully accept.

Her confidence is particularly important as Cruz takes on increasingly complicated assignments. She is no longer simply someone being pushed into the CIA’s world. She is becoming someone who understands how to operate within it.

Cruz and Josie Put Their Skills to the Test

Cruz’s growing confidence comes at an important moment in Season 3.

At the end of the previous episode, Cruz and Josie were involved in a honeypot operation, using their relationship and chemistry as part of an undercover mission.

De Oliveira sees the storyline as a chance to show just how much Cruz has developed.

She believes a significant amount of time has passed for the character, allowing viewers to see Cruz become much more capable at her job.

The circumstances are still dangerous, but De Oliveira views this particular assignment as relatively manageable compared with what Cruz endured in the past.

Unlike the mission involving Aaliyah, Cruz is not being asked to infiltrate someone she genuinely loves or make an emotionally devastating personal sacrifice.

Instead, she is working alongside her girlfriend while carrying out the operation.

Even Bobby, played by Jill Wagner, acknowledges the difference in the stakes, describing the assignment as “small potatoes.”

For Cruz, De Oliveira says, there is an element of fun to the mission. She gets to work with Josie, enjoy their chemistry and put her skills to use at the same time.

That confidence could become increasingly important as the third season moves toward its next major developments.

Viewers will find out how Cruz and Josie’s latest mission unfolds in the new episode of Lioness on Sunday, August 30.

Lioness, Sundays, Paramount+.

Source: https://www.tvinsider.com/