Actress Jessalyn Gilsig has joined the cast of Taylor Sheridan's spy drama "Lioness" on Paramount+, portraying FBI Director Francine Wexler. Gilsig's character is introduced in the fifth episode of the third season, titled "The Idiot Army."
Wexler makes her first appearance during a debriefing session with senior figures Byron Westfield (Michael Kelly), Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman), and Edwin Mullins (Morgan Freeman). The meeting concerns the Lioness program's recent operation, which involved sensitive information being shared with foreign operatives. Wexler expresses significant frustration over the FBI's exclusion from the mission, questioning the operatives' adherence to the chain of command.
Despite explanations from operatives Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña) and Kyle McManus (Thad Luckinbill), Wexler remains skeptical. She is particularly taken aback upon learning that operative Two Cups (James Jordan) engaged in sexual activity with a stripper as part of the operation. Ultimately, Wexler declares the mission has "gone completely rogue." However, Westfield counters that the targets are "enemies of the state actively seeking means to weaken us as a nation," and that no laws have been broken.
Gilsig, 54, is a Canadian actress with a notable television career. She previously played Terri Schuster, the estranged wife of Will Schuster, in the musical comedy-drama "Glee." She also portrayed Meredith Gordon, the biological mother of Claire Bennet, in the superhero drama "Heroes."