Laysla De Oliveira’s Cruz Manuelos played a significant role in Special Ops: Lioness Season 1, but was shockingly absent in the initial episodes of Season 2. This has led to fans asking if Cruz is in Lioness Season 2. Will she appear in future episodes? Has Oliveira transitioned into a supporting or guest role?

Here are your questions concerning Laysla De Oliveira’s Cruz Manuelos’ Season 2 involvement answered.

Will Laysla De Oliveira’s Cruz return in Special Ops: Lioness Season 2?

Although Laysla De Oliveira’s Cruz Manuelos has yet to appear in Lioness Season 2, she has been confirmed to return.

The show’s opening credits, which list De Oliveira’s name, confirmed this. Series star Zoe Saldana also confirmed that Manuelos would return in the second season in a recent Collider interview. Here, Saldana also teased a new relationship dynamic between her character Joe and Cruz, who had left their relationship on less-than-amicable terms in Season 1’s conclusion. She said, “Joe sees that potential, whereas in the first season, she didn’t see that in Cruz. I’m excited for the relationship that’s going to be unfolding in the season between Joe and Cruz.”

Cruz’s story arc in Lioness Season 1 explained

In Special Ops: Lioness Season 1, Cruz is a Force Recon marine who joined the US military to escape an abusive relationship. Her exceptional performance as a Marine drew Joe’s attention. Joe subsequently made her a CIA Lioness operative and gave her an important mission—to befriend Aaliyah Amrohi, the daughter of wanted terrorist Asmar Ali Amrohi.

However, Cruz’s mission gets more complicated when she falls in love with Aaliyah, who feels the same way. Unfortunately, their relationship would end terribly when Ehsan learned of Cruz’s affiliation with the CIA, forcing her to kill both him and Asmar. Cruz escaped with Joe and the QRF team’s help, who had arrived via a rescue boat.

Cruz, shaken by the experience and, coupled with the knowledge of the possibility of not seeing Aaliyah again, attacked Joe on the rescue boat and blamed her for ruining her life and making her a monster via the Lioness program. She firmly told Joe she would never be a Lioness again.

Special Ops: Lioness Season 2 is currently streaming on Paramount Plus.