‘Lioness’ Star Elizaveta Neretin Discusses Character’s Tragic Ending

Elizaveta Neretin, who portrayed Oleksandra Balakin in the Paramount+ series ‘Lioness,’ has spoken about her character's demise in the season finale, stating she anticipated the outcome.

Balakin, a Ukrainian FISU operative and long-term mole within the Russian SVR, met a violent end in Oklahoma City after being placed in witness protection. Neretin explained that the series creator, Taylor Sheridan, personally informed her about her character’s fate prior to the release of the final episode.

"Taylor gave me a call before he sent out Episode 8,” Neretin said. “He was like, ‘I gotta do it for the story.’ I was like, ‘That’s okay, I had a feeling.’"

Neretin shared that she believed her character was aware of the inherent risks associated with her line of work. "Oleksandra knew going into this line of work that this could be a possibility,” she stated. “After she started to work with them in Episode 3, she knew that they would eventually see her as a liability."

The chilling scene depicted Delta Force operators Grady (Ian Bohen) and Cody J (Matt Gerald) confronting Balakin in her home. Neretin commented on a specific detail where Cody J instructs Balakin to put on running shoes instead of slip-ons.

“The slip-on shoes can get lost. If she’s wearing shoes that tie, that’s one less potential loose end,” Neretin explained, interpreting the detail as a practical measure for disposing of a body. She believed Balakin’s realization that Kyle was absent during this second encounter signaled her impending death, as Kyle represented the strategic element while Grady and Cody J were the enforcers.

While the murder itself was not shown on screen, Neretin suggested this was a deliberate narrative choice. “Good writing means you don’t write the things that are obvious. The viewers already knew she was going to die. So, what would be the purpose of showing her being murdered?” she questioned. “Every scene has to have a purpose.”

Neretin also touched upon the relationship between her character and Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña), suggesting a potential for mutual respect despite initial animosity. She noted a moment during filming where Saldaña conveyed her character’s desire for such respect.

Reflecting on her experience playing Balakin, Neretin expressed a newfound appreciation for stunt performers and gained insight into her own capabilities. Looking ahead, she expressed interest in participating in one of Sheridan’s other series, particularly a period piece. “I like his prequel series to Yellowstone. I love period stuff. It would be so cool to be around horses and wear corsets,” she said.