Laysla De Oliveira Talks Special Ops: Lioness Season 2, Cruz’s Journey, and Working with Taylor Sheridan

Laysla De Oliveira, star of Taylor Sheridan’s Special Ops: Lioness, returns to chat with The Extra Mile following our conversation last year before the show’s debut. Reflecting on Cruz’s journey, the emotional depth of the series, and her excitement for Season 2, Laysla shares insights on portraying a complex and dynamic character in one of today’s most compelling dramas

TEM (The Extra Mile) : It’s been a little bit over a year now since we last spoke, since the show has been out. How has life been like for you?

Laysla: Wow, that’s a really great question, because last we spoke, I think that there was a strike the next day, so I wasn’t able to fully celebrate the show in the way that I wanted to with the fans, and so I’m really excited I get to come back and do it again this season and really celebrate with everyone, but I’m so overwhelmed by the response of the show in a positive way. I think people really enjoyed it, and that makes me incredibly grateful and happy.

TEM: You did an amazing job and before we get into season 2 I just have so much to ask you because the last time we spoke I’d only seen the first episode of the first season and now We’re halfway into season 2. Like you think! It’s so I was re-watching everything last night like it’s so good And I feel like we’re really upping the ante for this season as well, but before we even get into that Spoilers for season 1 by the way everyone I had no idea when you and I spoke that this was gonna be a little bit of a love story

Laysla: Yes, and I was under Strict rules not to mention anything so my lips were sealed I just said, you know, she has to get close to her target. Oh, they are close They are close It’s such a beautiful love story too It was really exciting to portray that and I really love how much people Really connected to that aspect of it.

TEM: It was so beautiful. So tragic What point like I know we spoke last year about the process in which you received the scripts You kind of got them as they were written But what point did you realize that they were going in that direction with the story?

Laysla:  After I got the second episode, I heard a little rumor. I was told that maybe this would turn into a love thing. So, as the script started to come in, I kind of knew that it would be headed in that direction, but I only knew after that second episode was written.

TEM: Right. Now, I absolutely have to talk about the finale because it was so epic. It’s what every episode was leading towards. This is the most highest stakes ever for Cruz. Everybody’s watching her, the situation room, my heart was racing the whole time.

Laysla: But my workout with my underpants on and just blood drenched all over me was so exciting. Taylor called me while we were filming and I couldn’t answer because I was drenched in blood and in my underwear. So, I was like, sorry, sorry. But he was laughing and it was really fun. That is an epic, epic fight scene. I feel so fortunate that I got to do that and be a part of that and learn that hand-to-hand combat and be able to do that on screen.

TEM: Yeah, tell me a little bit more about that because those were a lot of angles. How many times did you guys shoot that?

Laysla: Oh gosh, we did it a lot. And it was because of the blood continuity as well. The crazy thing about that was that was very much at the end of the shoot, so I really only had two days to learn that choreography. So as we were shooting, I was still learning and picking it up, and I was kind of nervous about it because I just wanted it to be good, but I’m really happy with how it turned out. I think everybody did such an incredible job. Yeah, no, it did. I love a good chase scene, and that one was spectacular. It was so good, and it was so quick. And that’s in Taylor’s writing, you know? I think the shock value of it is so great, and it does happen so quickly. Personally, that’s what I liked about that scene, and I think that’s what hopefully the audience really liked as well.

TEM: Right, and I’m noticing you just mentioned that you shot this at the end of your block. So did you feel that pressure of this is the end, this is what it’s all kind of been leading towards while you’re performing? Did you feel that pressure going?

Laysla: I felt a lot of pressure. I was stressed out. I really was. I care about this job so much, and I care about this character so much, and I just wanted to do a good job. I just wanted to do a good job. So I was nervous. I think the guys were talking me down from crazy town. I was like, but do you think this is going to be good? And I’m happy with how it turned out. When we first saw it, Joan had to text me. She’s like, you see, I told you it was going to be good. It was so good. I just wanted to do a good job.

TEM:  Now, one of my favorite lines that you delivered in Season 1, which is in this episode, and it’s the one day she’s going to have kids and they’re going to hear about how their grandpa died and all we did was create the next generation of terrorists. The power that line had, that one statement, just turns the entire concept of the line that’s programmed right on its head and you can see it in Joe’s face the second Cruz says that. Did you know when you read that line, like the weight and the context it had, or was it until you performed it that you were like, wow, this is like the whole conflict of the season summarized? Were there any other pieces of dialogue that stick out to you besides this one?

Laysla: I think that is probably the most powerful one in Cruz’s whole journey. She loves her country so much. She’s such a patriot, but therein lies the truth. So when I read that in the script, I thought it was so powerful because I think once people start watching the show, they can think it’s one thing and that we’re trying to promote the show in a certain way, but if you wait until the very end, you’ll see that it’s not what that’s actually about and that character, although she is a patriot, she has her own feelings about her connection to the whole geopolitical mechanism that she’s a part of.

TEM:  But let’s talk a little bit about season two now. Okay. Let’s do it. Liza, you’re back! When did you know you were back? What was that moment like when you found out?

Laysla: Oh, this has been such a rollercoaster because there was a moment in time where Cruz wasn’t supposed to be back at all. And that was, you know, as devastating as that was for Liza to hear as an actress, I completely understood because Taylor’s such a prolific writer and the way he was explaining how the story goes, it didn’t make sense. And I was able to have a beautiful conversation with him where I thanked him for changing my life because he did. And he said, please don’t worry, I’m going to put you in something else. And I thought, yeah, whatever. And six weeks later, he called me back. It was my birthday, actually. And he had just finished writing the third episode, and he was like, not Cruz needs to be back. And so it was a surprise for me as well. And I’m just so excited that I get the opportunity to participate in the show again and to play with my friends. This is a character that has totally changed my life, and I’m just so grateful that I get to do it again.

TEM: I did note it. When I was watching season 2, Taylor has put himself in it now. He’s so good. He’s so good. There’s nothing a man can’t do. And I’m curious now because, correct me if I’m wrong, but he’s doing some directing this season as well.

Laysla: He did. He directed the first block and he directed some of the last episodes, so I didn’t get to work with him in the first block when they filmed 1 and 2. But that being said, Taylor is a phone call away, like any question about acting that you may have. He used to be an acting coach, so I love picking his brain about stuff. He’s incredible. But I did get a taste of Taylor directing in the very last episode, and it was electrifying. Okay, that was maybe my question. If you have to work with him on set, what was that like? Yeah. Here, what are we doing? He moves quick. He moves quick. He writes so many shows. He’s five steps ahead, and you need to be five steps ahead of that. If you’re not prepared, it can be a terrifying experience. Obviously, everybody shows up 1,000% prepared. But if you are and you’re ready to play and you’re ready to be pushed to your limits, it’s a really beautiful and gratifying experience. It’s such a rush when you’re done.

TEM:  Well, the last thing I’ll say is that I feel like this show has gained so much success because of the earnestness in the performances that we see on screen, yours especially. I feel like it’s so refreshing to see nuanced women and that we get to see them be so strong and powerful, but also so vulnerable in their relationships. So I’m really glad that you as an actor was able to experience that and able to have that. And I’m so, so happy that you’re back for season two. I cannot wait to see how the rest of it unfolds, and I’m so excited for you.

Laysla: Oh, my gosh. Thank you so much. It means a lot to me. I’m really excited for you guys to see what Taylor has in store for Cruise. Yeah, and it was so good to see you.

SEASON TWO OF PARAMOUNT+’S ORIGINAL SERIES LIONESS PREMIERED SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2024