Thad Luckinbill, who portrays CIA officer Kyle McManus in the series "Lioness," has offered insights into his character's extreme methods and the geopolitical expertise of series creator Taylor Sheridan.
McManus has been depicted as a pragmatic and often ruthless operative, frequently clashing with Station Chief Joe McNamara, played by Zoe Saldaña. In a recent interview, Luckinbill explained that McManus's motivation to rescue McNamara stems from a long-standing professional history and a perceived difference in their personal constraints. According to Luckinbill, creator Taylor Sheridan revealed that McNamara harbors some resentment towards McManus because he is "all in" on his job, unburdened by the family responsibilities that weigh on McNamara. This allows McManus the freedom to pursue objectives by any means necessary.
Escalating Tactics
Luckinbill acknowledged that McManus's actions, such as killing a Russian intelligence officer to extract information about McNamara's whereabouts, are extreme and push the boundaries of the established rules of engagement. The other team members expressed shock and concern, fearing legal repercussions for McManus's conduct. Luckinbill stated that while McManus recognizes the severity of his actions, he believes them to be essential given the dire circumstances and McNamara's potential fate if smuggled out of the U.S.
"He didn't hesitate to put his own job on the line for a chance at getting her back," Luckinbill said of his character's actions. He further elaborated that any perceived hesitation in that scene was McManus desperately trying to avoid lethal force before ultimately doing what he deemed necessary to get closer to finding McNamara.
Character Dynamics and Creator's Vision
Discussing the dynamic between McManus and McNamara, Luckinbill described them as having a "brother and sister" relationship, forged through years of working together on various missions. He noted that while they often fight, there's an underlying history and professional respect. Luckinbill also touched on the relationship between McManus and CIA Special Activities officer Kaitlyn Meade, played by Nicole Kidman, suggesting that while Joe is Meade's primary focus, McManus also operates under Meade's purview to some extent, though he is more closely aligned with CIA Deputy Director Byron Westfield, played by Michael Kelly.
Luckinbill lauded Taylor Sheridan's deep understanding of geopolitics, comparing his knowledge to that of a potential government military advisor. He highlighted Sheridan's ability to weave complex international relations involving China, Iran, Russia, the U.S., and the Middle East into the narrative, making it accessible to the audience and compelling for the actors to perform. "His ability to comprehend all that is next level," Luckinbill commented.
Looking ahead in the season, Luckinbill teased that McManus will remain "relentlessly driven" in his pursuit of Joe McNamara, drawing on past experiences to navigate the ongoing crisis. He expressed enjoyment in portraying the character that Sheridan has crafted.