Special Ops: Lioness

Director(s)John Hillcoat
Production year2023
Genre(s)Action, Drama, Thriller
Approx. running minutes42m
CastZoe Saldana, Laysla De Oliveira, Dave Annable

Special Ops: Lioness

Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical media
Distributor:
Paramount Pictures International Limited
strong language, violence, domestic abuse
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is a US drama series; in this episode, Joe is shaken when an undercover operative gets hurt in the field.

violence
A man punches his girlfriend. Later she hits him with a frying pan, causing blood to spatter the wall behind him.
language
The episode features strong language ('f**k' and 'motherf**ker') and uses of 'bitch'.
additional issues
People are briefly shown smoking joints. There are undetailed verbal reference to sexual assault. A marine is told to strip off and prove she has no tattoos in front of her leader, in a scene that includes buttock nudity. There are also infrequent moderate sex references. In scenes of moderate threat, a female under cover operative is chased by men who wish to kill her.
strong violence, sex, language, threat
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is a US drama series; in this episode, Joe tests Cruz's breaking point.

violence
A person being held captive is tortured using a variety of methods including hosing and waterboarding, and is subjected to psychological torture using loud music and sexual humiliation, when her trousers are stripped revealing buttock nudity.
threat and horror
A woman out for a run is suddenly surrounded by masked people who tie her hands and abduct her in a van.
language
There is use of strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker') as well as milder terms including 'prick', 'pussy', and 'bitch'.
sex
There is a strong sex scene.
additional issues
A woman is seen with blood and wounds all over her face after being the victim of violence. A brief remark is made alluding to sexual violence. There are oblique references to discrimination a person has suffered. In an upsetting scene, a doctor reveals to parents that their child has a brain tumour.
strong language
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is a US drama series; in this episode, Cruz goes undercover.

language
There is use of strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker') as well as the use of milder terms such as 'bitch', 'shit' and 'asshole'.
additional issues
A man grabs a women despite her protest; she pushes him away after which he follows her to her bedroom and tries to get in. He is ushered away by others, and sexual harassment is very clearly condemned by other characters. Gunfire is exchanged during a car chase sequence. A lorry crashes into another vehicle, causing it to roll and explode, and in the aftermath a man is seen covered in blood. There are infrequent sex references.
sexual threat, strong language, violence
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is a US drama series; in this episode, the team monitors Cruz as she ingratiates herself with the target and her friends.

violence
A woman punches and kicks a man repeatedly.
language
There is use of strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker') as well as milder terms including ‘bitch’, ‘ho’, ‘son of a bitch’, ‘shit’ and ‘asshole’.
sexual violence and sexual threat
A woman is drugged by a man at a club, and he carries her into the nearby woods when she has been knocked out, intending to rape her, though she is rescued by others before this takes place.
additional issues
People are involved in a car crash and are rushed to hospital with injuries. In the aftermath, the survivors are seen with blood and cuts all over their faces. Moderate sex references occur infrequently.
strong language, violence
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is a US drama series; in this episode, Joe rushes to her daughter’s side, running from the fallout of two missions going awry.

violence
People are shot with guns, with a small amount of resultant bloody detail.
language
There is use of strong language ('f**k') as well as milder terms including ‘shit’, ‘asshole’, ‘God’, ‘damn’ and ‘Jesus’.
additional issues
References are made to sexual violence in a scene in which a woman recovers from being drugged the previous night, and asks about the events which took place, having lost her memory. Moderate sex references occur infrequently. A woman is seen with a small amount of blood on her face. There are references to abortion, and a person is told they have lost a baby due to a car accident they were involved in.
strong language
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is a US action drama; in this episode, Cruz and Aaliyah spend the weekend bonding, the Safe House comes under threat and Kaitlyn and Joe are confronted about their role in the San Antonio mission.

language
There is use of strong language ('f**k') and midler terms ('shit', 'bullshit', 'ass', 'pissed', 'God', 'damn').
additional issues
A group of men are captured at gunpoint, restrained and threatened with violence. There are references to a woman beating a man with an iron frying pan to get away from him. There are verbal references to women being killed if she rejects arranged marriages and brings shame on her families.
strong language, sex, threat
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is a US drama series; in this episode, Cruz struggles when she becomes emotionally connected to her mark.

threat and horror
A marine is instructed to watch a montage of attacks from a terrorist group, which are also shown on screen. These include explosions, a man being doused in petrol and another man being prepared for a beheading. A man is briefly shown on fire in a cage as another man in a nearby case looks on fearfully. Civilians run screaming from attackers.
language
The episode features strong language ('f**k' and 'motherf**ker').
sex
A scene of strong sex features thrusting and moaning detail. One of the lovers is an undercover operative and one of her colleagues is shown listening to the sex. There are also references to 'f**king'.
strong bloody violence, language
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is a US action drama series; in this episode, Aaliyah has doubts about getting married.

violence
A man is stabbed in the neck and another repeatedly stabbed in the torso, resulting in blood spurts and strong bloody aftermath detail. Other violent moments include shootings and fist fights. A woman is slapped hard across the face by a sexist man after he deems her to be insolent for talking back to him.
language
Use of strong language ('f**k') is accompanied by milder terms such as 'bitch', 'shit', 'ass', 'bullshit' and 'hell'.
additional issues
In the aftermath of a vehicle crash, a child cries as she lays injured with bloodied fellow passengers. There are sequences of moderate threat including gun threat. Occasional moderate verbal sex references occur and a couple kiss passionately on a bed.
Please note: each rating can only be used for the distribution method listed in the Use column. For more information on each Use click here.
strong violence, language
Classified Date:
07/04/2025
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is a US thriller series; in this episode, when a US congresswoman is kidnapped by a cartel Joe and her team must secure her safe return.

violence
Sustained action sequences feature gun violence with blood spurts. There are fight scenes with punches as well as chase scenes and vehicle crashes; an extended sequence of suspense depicts an assassination, a kidnapping and a child death.
language
There is frequent strong language ('f**k') and moderate bad language ('son of a bitch', 'dick'); other milder terms include 'ass' and 'shit'.
additional issues
A dialogue line alludes to sex.
strong language, sex
Classified Date:
08/04/2025
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is a US drama series; in this episode, Joe and her team are tasked to find the men who kidnapped Congresswoman Hernandez.

language
Frequent strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker') occurs, as well as milder terms ('bitch', 'dick', 'shit', 'bullshit', 'asshole', 'ass', 'bastard', 'God', 'damn').
sex
A prolonged strong sex scene includes sexualised nudity.
additional issues
Moderate violence includes a sustained gun battle with moderate injury detail in the aftermath. Discrimination is challenged and, accordingly, not condoned by the work as a whole. There are brief and passing negative verbal drug references.
strong language, sex
Classified Date:
08/04/2025
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is a US drama series; in this episode, Carrillo commences her Lioness training.

language
Strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker') occurs, as well as milder terms such as 'asshole', 'ass', 'shit', 'Jesus' and 'God'.
sex
A scene of strong sex features sexualised nudity. Comic verbal references are made to sex.
flashing/flickering lights
This work contains flashing images which may affect viewers who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy.
additional issues
Shootings occur during a virtual reality training simulation. There is sight of natural breast and buttock nudity. Comic references are made to a man's upset stomach. People make discriminatory remarks, although these are quickly challenged. Characters behave in a threatening manner.
strong language, child sexual abuse references
Classified Date:
08/04/2025
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is a US drama series; in this episode, Joe and Kyle meet a potentially helpful new contact.

language
Strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker') occurs, as well as milder terms ('shit', 'bullshit', 'ass', 'God', 'damn', 'hell').
sexual violence and sexual threat
There are verbal references to child sexual abuse, including to child sex trafficking.
additional issues
In a sequence which also contains moderate threat, there is a prolonged night-time shootout, which includes explosions in which people are killed. However, the scene is darkly lit, and there is limited detail. During a man's discriminatory speech, there are homophobic ('fags', 'dykes') and transphobic ('ladyboys') references. However, these views are immediately challenged and, accordingly, condemned by the work as a whole. There is also brief natural nudity, as well as brief and negative drug references, as well as mild sex references.
strong language, violence
Classified Date:
08/04/2025
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is a US espionage thriller series; in this episode, Joe seeks permission to intercept traffickers smuggling children across the border.

violence
Sustained action sequences feature war violence with multiple incendiary devices and military firefights.
language
There is frequent strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker') and discriminatory language ('fag') as well as a middle-finger gesture; other milder terms include 'shit', 'ass', 'bullshit' and 'God'.
additional issues
There are verbal references to the sexual abuse of children within the context of human trafficking. References are made to suicide. A crude verbal sex reference is played for comedy. A man criticizes US Army policies on women and homosexuality. There is brief natural breast nudity when a woman changes her clothes.
strong violence, language
Classified Date:
07/04/2025
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is a US thriller series; in this episode, Joe's team uncovers a hitherto unknown asset in the Carrillo house.

violence
Sustained action sequences feature gun violence with blood spurts and fight scenes with slaps and punches as well as a vehicular chase. A torture scene features waterboarding but the visual detail is limited.
language
There is frequent strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker') and moderate bad language ('bitch'); other milder terms include 'piss', 'bullshit', 'shit', 'ass', 'asshole', 'God', 'damn' and 'hell'.
additional issues
There are verbal references to cocaine and heroin within the context of international drug trafficking, and verbal references to sexual violence in prison. There are bloody injuries and dead bodies in pools of blood.
strong language
Classified Date:
07/04/2025
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is a US espionage thriller series; in this episode, whilst Joe is treated for a life-threatening injury, Kaitlyn figures out how the operation went wrong.

language
There is frequent strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker'); other milder terms include 'shit', 'asshole', 'God', 'damn', and 'hell'.
additional issues
A hospital scene features an injured person regaining consciousness and flailing at nurses. There are multiple verbal references to violence and also to child sexual abuse within the context of human trafficking. References are made to a father hitting his daughter but there is no accompanying visual. The story features the international illegal drug trade and there are multiple verbal references to drugs. In a brief bedroom scene two people kiss passionately.
strong violence, language
Classified Date:
07/04/2025
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is a US espionage thriller series; in this episode, Joe and her team launch a high-risk operation in the Middle East.

violence
Sustained action sequences feature war violence with helicopter gunships, tanks, and firefights. There are explosions, shootings with blood spurts, and an impressionistic bloody fight scene with punches as well as chase scenes and vehicle crashes. There is clear sight of bloody wounds and injuries.
language
There is frequent strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker'); other milder terms include 'shit', 'balls', 'God' and 'damn'.
additional issues
There is verbal reference to 'arousal' in a flirtation scene.
Please note: each rating can only be used for the distribution method listed in the Use column. For more information on each Use click here.
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical media
Distributor:
Paramount Pictures International Limited
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical media
Distributor:
Paramount Pictures International Limited
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical media
Distributor:
Paramount Pictures International Limited
Classified date12/12/2023
LanguageEnglish
violence
A man punches his girlfriend. Later she hits him with a frying pan, causing blood to spatter the wall behind him.
language
The episode features strong language ('f**k' and 'motherf**ker') and uses of 'bitch'.
additional issues
People are briefly shown smoking joints. There are undetailed verbal reference to sexual assault. A marine is told to strip off and prove she has no tattoos in front of her leader, in a scene that includes buttock nudity. There are also infrequent moderate sex references. In scenes of moderate threat, a female under cover operative is chased by men who wish to kill her.
strong language, violence
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming
violence
People are shot with guns, with a small amount of resultant bloody detail.
language
There is use of strong language ('f**k') as well as milder terms including ‘shit’, ‘asshole’, ‘God’, ‘damn’ and ‘Jesus’.
additional issues
References are made to sexual violence in a scene in which a woman recovers from being drugged the previous night, and asks about the events which took place, having lost her memory. Moderate sex references occur infrequently. A woman is seen with a small amount of blood on her face. There are references to abortion, and a person is told they have lost a baby due to a car accident they were involved in.
strong language
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming
language
There is use of strong language ('f**k') and midler terms ('shit', 'bullshit', 'ass', 'pissed', 'God', 'damn').
additional issues
A group of men are captured at gunpoint, restrained and threatened with violence. There are references to a woman beating a man with an iron frying pan to get away from him. There are verbal references to women being killed if she rejects arranged marriages and brings shame on her families.
strong language, sex, threat
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming
threat and horror
A marine is instructed to watch a montage of attacks from a terrorist group, which are also shown on screen. These include explosions, a man being doused in petrol and another man being prepared for a beheading. A man is briefly shown on fire in a cage as another man in a nearby case looks on fearfully. Civilians run screaming from attackers.
language
The episode features strong language ('f**k' and 'motherf**ker').
sex
A scene of strong sex features thrusting and moaning detail. One of the lovers is an undercover operative and one of her colleagues is shown listening to the sex. There are also references to 'f**king'.
sexual threat, strong language, violence
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming
violence
A woman punches and kicks a man repeatedly.
language
There is use of strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker') as well as milder terms including ‘bitch’, ‘ho’, ‘son of a bitch’, ‘shit’ and ‘asshole’.
sexual violence and sexual threat
A woman is drugged by a man at a club, and he carries her into the nearby woods when she has been knocked out, intending to rape her, though she is rescued by others before this takes place.
additional issues
People are involved in a car crash and are rushed to hospital with injuries. In the aftermath, the survivors are seen with blood and cuts all over their faces. Moderate sex references occur infrequently.
strong language
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming
language
There is use of strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker') as well as the use of milder terms such as 'bitch', 'shit' and 'asshole'.
additional issues
A man grabs a women despite her protest; she pushes him away after which he follows her to her bedroom and tries to get in. He is ushered away by others, and sexual harassment is very clearly condemned by other characters. Gunfire is exchanged during a car chase sequence. A lorry crashes into another vehicle, causing it to roll and explode, and in the aftermath a man is seen covered in blood. There are infrequent sex references.
strong violence, sex, language, threat
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming
violence
A person being held captive is tortured using a variety of methods including hosing and waterboarding, and is subjected to psychological torture using loud music and sexual humiliation, when her trousers are stripped revealing buttock nudity.
threat and horror
A woman out for a run is suddenly surrounded by masked people who tie her hands and abduct her in a van.
language
There is use of strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker') as well as milder terms including 'prick', 'pussy', and 'bitch'.
sex
There is a strong sex scene.
additional issues
A woman is seen with blood and wounds all over her face after being the victim of violence. A brief remark is made alluding to sexual violence. There are oblique references to discrimination a person has suffered. In an upsetting scene, a doctor reveals to parents that their child has a brain tumour.
strong bloody violence, language
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming
violence
A man is stabbed in the neck and another repeatedly stabbed in the torso, resulting in blood spurts and strong bloody aftermath detail. Other violent moments include shootings and fist fights. A woman is slapped hard across the face by a sexist man after he deems her to be insolent for talking back to him.
language
Use of strong language ('f**k') is accompanied by milder terms such as 'bitch', 'shit', 'ass', 'bullshit' and 'hell'.
additional issues
In the aftermath of a vehicle crash, a child cries as she lays injured with bloodied fellow passengers. There are sequences of moderate threat including gun threat. Occasional moderate verbal sex references occur and a couple kiss passionately on a bed.
strong language, violence, domestic abuse
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming
violence
A man punches his girlfriend. Later she hits him with a frying pan, causing blood to spatter the wall behind him.
language
The episode features strong language ('f**k' and 'motherf**ker') and uses of 'bitch'.
additional issues
People are briefly shown smoking joints. There are undetailed verbal reference to sexual assault. A marine is told to strip off and prove she has no tattoos in front of her leader, in a scene that includes buttock nudity. There are also infrequent moderate sex references. In scenes of moderate threat, a female under cover operative is chased by men who wish to kill her.
strong language, sex
Classified Date:
08/04/2025
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming
language
Strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker') occurs, as well as milder terms such as 'asshole', 'ass', 'shit', 'Jesus' and 'God'.
sex
A scene of strong sex features sexualised nudity. Comic verbal references are made to sex.
flashing/flickering lights
This work contains flashing images which may affect viewers who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy.
additional issues
Shootings occur during a virtual reality training simulation. There is sight of natural breast and buttock nudity. Comic references are made to a man's upset stomach. People make discriminatory remarks, although these are quickly challenged. Characters behave in a threatening manner.
strong language, violence
Classified Date:
08/04/2025
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming
violence
Sustained action sequences feature war violence with multiple incendiary devices and military firefights.
language
There is frequent strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker') and discriminatory language ('fag') as well as a middle-finger gesture; other milder terms include 'shit', 'ass', 'bullshit' and 'God'.
additional issues
There are verbal references to the sexual abuse of children within the context of human trafficking. References are made to suicide. A crude verbal sex reference is played for comedy. A man criticizes US Army policies on women and homosexuality. There is brief natural breast nudity when a woman changes her clothes.
strong language, child sexual abuse references
Classified Date:
08/04/2025
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming
language
Strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker') occurs, as well as milder terms ('shit', 'bullshit', 'ass', 'God', 'damn', 'hell').
sexual violence and sexual threat
There are verbal references to child sexual abuse, including to child sex trafficking.
additional issues
In a sequence which also contains moderate threat, there is a prolonged night-time shootout, which includes explosions in which people are killed. However, the scene is darkly lit, and there is limited detail. During a man's discriminatory speech, there are homophobic ('fags', 'dykes') and transphobic ('ladyboys') references. However, these views are immediately challenged and, accordingly, condemned by the work as a whole. There is also brief natural nudity, as well as brief and negative drug references, as well as mild sex references.
strong language, sex
Classified Date:
08/04/2025
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming
language
Frequent strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker') occurs, as well as milder terms ('bitch', 'dick', 'shit', 'bullshit', 'asshole', 'ass', 'bastard', 'God', 'damn').
sex
A prolonged strong sex scene includes sexualised nudity.
additional issues
Moderate violence includes a sustained gun battle with moderate injury detail in the aftermath. Discrimination is challenged and, accordingly, not condoned by the work as a whole. There are brief and passing negative verbal drug references.
strong violence, language
Classified Date:
07/04/2025
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming
violence
Sustained action sequences feature war violence with helicopter gunships, tanks, and firefights. There are explosions, shootings with blood spurts, and an impressionistic bloody fight scene with punches as well as chase scenes and vehicle crashes. There is clear sight of bloody wounds and injuries.
language
There is frequent strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker'); other milder terms include 'shit', 'balls', 'God' and 'damn'.
additional issues
There is verbal reference to 'arousal' in a flirtation scene.
strong language
Classified Date:
07/04/2025
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming
language
There is frequent strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker'); other milder terms include 'shit', 'asshole', 'God', 'damn', and 'hell'.
additional issues
A hospital scene features an injured person regaining consciousness and flailing at nurses. There are multiple verbal references to violence and also to child sexual abuse within the context of human trafficking. References are made to a father hitting his daughter but there is no accompanying visual. The story features the international illegal drug trade and there are multiple verbal references to drugs. In a brief bedroom scene two people kiss passionately.
strong violence, language
Classified Date:
07/04/2025
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming
violence
Sustained action sequences feature gun violence with blood spurts and fight scenes with slaps and punches as well as a vehicular chase. A torture scene features waterboarding but the visual detail is limited.
language
There is frequent strong language ('f**k', 'motherf**ker') and moderate bad language ('bitch'); other milder terms include 'piss', 'bullshit', 'shit', 'ass', 'asshole', 'God', 'damn' and 'hell'.
additional issues
There are verbal references to cocaine and heroin within the context of international drug trafficking, and verbal references to sexual violence in prison. There are bloody injuries and dead bodies in pools of blood.
strong violence, language
Classified Date:
07/04/2025
Use:
Physical Media + VOD/Streaming
violence
Sustained action sequences feature gun violence with blood spurts. There are fight scenes with punches as well as chase scenes and vehicle crashes; an extended sequence of suspense depicts an assassination, a kidnapping and a child death.
language
There is frequent strong language ('f**k') and moderate bad language ('son of a bitch', 'dick'); other milder terms include 'ass' and 'shit'.
additional issues
A dialogue line alludes to sex.
Director(s)John Hillcoat
Production year2023
Genre(s)Action, Drama, Thriller
Approx. running minutes42m
CastZoe Saldana, Laysla De Oliveira, Dave Annable
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical media
Distributor:
Paramount Pictures International Limited
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical media
Distributor:
Paramount Pictures International Limited
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical media
Distributor:
Paramount Pictures International Limited
Classified Date:
12/12/2023
Use:
Physical media
Distributor:
Paramount Pictures International Limited
Classified date12/12/2023
LanguageEnglish