**The Texas Backdrop for ‘Lioness’: A Deep Dive into Season 3 Filming Locations**
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The Paramount+ series “Lioness,” which recently premiered its third season on 2 August 2023, has shifted its filming operations closer to home, shifting from a global landscape to the heart of Texas. The show follows an elite CIA team that utilises female operatives to infiltrate terrorist networks, and with its gripping narrative, the filming locations play an integral role in bringing the story to life.
Notably, while the first season of “Lioness” explored various international sites to enhance its storyline, the production team decided to film the subsequent seasons entirely in North Texas. This choice has allowed the team, led by creator Taylor Sheridan, to maintain a more manageable filming schedule. In an interview with *The Dallas Morning News* in December 2023, Sheridan noted, “I film everything here now, in some form. I’m at the point in my career where I want to sleep in my own bed at the end of the day.”
Season 3 was mapped out in and around Dallas and Fort Worth. For fans wondering about the authenticity of the scenes, they will be intrigued to learn that the exterior shots of the CIA headquarters, which in reality is located in Langley, Virginia, were filmed at Dallas City Hall. This unconventional choice underlines the show’s ability to creatively repurpose local landmarks for storytelling.
As the plot unfolds, viewers are treated to a meeting between Joe (Zoe Saldaña) and a Ukrainian double agent that takes place on the campus of Georgetown University. However, this scene was cleverly filmed at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, showcasing the show’s ingenuity in utilising Texas locations to double for esteemed academia.
Producers transformed several notable streets and venues in Fort Worth into representations of Washington, D.C., including the likes of Wicked Butcher, The Sinclair Hotel, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, and the Hilton Fort Worth. This caused numerous street closures during production, highlighting the scale and ambition of the series’ filming efforts.
One significant asset for the production is SGS Studios, a sprawling 450,000-square-foot film facility located in Fort Worth. Opened in 2025, it is now the largest studio of its kind in Texas, boasting capabilities for multiple large-scale productions simultaneously. This modern studio has allowed for a more efficient and diverse production environment, with soundstages, wardrobe facilities, and green-screen capabilities readily available.
In terms of combat sequences, the specifics of where these scenes were captured remain under wraps. However, it is highly likely that the large-scale battle scenes were filmed in rural areas of North Texas, mirroring the strategy adopted during Season 2’s production. Locations such as Weatherford, Strawn, Stephenville, and Glen Rose have previously provided the expansive, undeveloped terrain needed to evoke a sense of international depth.
The filming of intense action sequences has not been without its challenges. During the production of Season 2, the cast faced extreme heat, reaching up to 110 degrees, which posed a substantial hurdle. One of the cast members, Jill Wagner, reflected on the experience, recalling how she began to feel symptoms of heatstroke during a particularly strenuous battle scene.
Fortunately, the conditions for filming Season 3 proved to be milder. With the production timeline spanning from October 2025 to March 2026, much of the outdoor work was completed during the fall and winter months. This shift in the filming schedule has not only ensured a more comfortable climate for the cast but has also potentially improved the overall quality of outdoor shots.
In a further exploration of the filming locales, Joe’s character is depicted as residing in a home located in Fairfax, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. In actuality, this residence is nestled in Fort Worth’s Berkeley Place neighbourhood. Residents were duly notified ahead of filming, with requests for delaying Halloween decorations to maintain visual continuity. Notices also informed homeowners about the inclusion of simulated gunfire and additional lighting to enhance night scenes.
As “Lioness” continues to captivate audiences with its thrilling narrative, the Texas backdrop proves to be an essential component of the show’s atmosphere. The deliberate choice of filming locations reflects a blend of creativity and practicality, illustrating how local charm can be transformed into a vital element of storytelling in television. Fans eagerly anticipate what Season 3 will bring, and the warm Texas spirit is sure to be an ever-present character in the unfolding drama.