Meet Elizaveta Neretin, who plays Ukrainian spy Oleksandra in Lioness

The third season of Oscar-nominated writer Taylor Sheridan’s Paramount+ series, Lioness, is more than halfway through, with each episode leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. Starring acclaimed actors Zoë Saldaña, Nicole Kidman and Morgan Freeman, the show is considered one of Sheridan’s best works to date.

This season explores the Russia-Ukraine war, with Saldaña’s character, Joe McNamara, directly involved on the front lines. Interestingly, a new addition to the Lioness cast shares a personal connection to this season’s storyline: Russian-Ukrainian actress Elizaveta Neretin portrays Ukrainian double agent Oleksandra Balakin, who reluctantly works alongside Joe.