Press Release: PARAMOUNT+ ORIGINAL SERIES “LIONESS” WILL BE FILMED IN MARYLAND

PARAMOUNT+ ORIGINAL SERIES “LIONESS” WILL BE FILMED IN MARYLAND

BALTIMORE, MD (September 6, 2022) — Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the new Paramount+ original series Lioness will be filmed in Maryland. The production is scheduled to film throughout the state, including tentative locations in both the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan suburbs, Western Maryland, and the Eastern Shore. Produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios, the series will premiere exclusively on Paramount+ in 2023 in the U.S. and in all Paramount+ international markets.

“We are excited that Maryland will serve as the backdrop for a production from one of the most prolific creative teams working in the television industry today,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “This type of series has the potential to generate a significant impact through job creation and revenue for local businesses, and we look forward to partnering with Paramount+, MTV Entertainment Studios, and 101 Studios in the coming months.”

Created and executive produced by Academy Award nominee Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone, 1883, Mayor of Kingstown), Lioness stars Zoe Saldaña and Laysla De Oliveira. Saldaña will also serve as executive producer alongside Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman and her production company, Blossom Films. The series will also be executive produced by David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin, Jill Wagner, Geyer Kosinski, Michael Malone, and John Hillcoat.

Lioness is based on a real-life CIA program and follows Cruz Manuelos (De Oliveira), a rough-around-the-edges but passionate young Marine recruited to join the CIA’s Lioness Engagement Team to help bring down a terrorist organization from within. Saldaña will play Joe, the station chief of the Lioness program tasked with training, managing, and leading her female undercover operatives. The series also stars James Jordan (Yellowstone), LaMonica Garrett (1883) and Dave Annable (Yellowstone).

“We are proud to welcome Paramount+, MTV Entertainment Studios, and 101 Studios as they film this new series,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “With help from our Maryland Film Office, our partners at the Baltimore Film Office, and our economic development partners throughout the state, we look forward to seeing another successful production take place in Maryland.”

A series such as Lioness is expected to generate a significant economic impact in Maryland. To give an idea of the potential impact of an episodic television series, the final season of Netflix’s House of Cards hired more than 1,600 Marylanders and purchased or rented goods or services from more than 1,700 Maryland businesses with an impact that exceeded $100 million.

“It is great news that Lioness is tentatively planning to film in several regions throughout the state,” said Maryland Film Office Director Jack Gerbes. “We thank the various county officials and agencies involved for their support and cooperation during this production.”

About the Maryland Film Office 
The Maryland Film Office aims to attract productions to film on-location in the state of Maryland, as well as support the state’s local film community. The office’s goal is to make the process of filming in Maryland as easy as possible, by providing location scouting and pre-production research, in addition to acting as a government and community liaison throughout film production. For more information on available tax credits, visit marylandfilm.org.

About Maryland Commerce
The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State’s many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit commerce.maryland.gov.