Ian Bohen Makes His 'Lioness' Debut and Says He's Never Felt More Welcomed by a Cast

Ian Bohen is making his debut in Lioness, and it's all thanks to the show's creator, Taylor Sheridan. The Teen Wolf alum, 49, revealed to PEOPLE at the New York City premiere for Lioness season 3 on Wednesday, July 29, that he has been a longtime fan of the Zoe Saldaña-led series, but the timing wasn't exactly right to join it until now.

"I've wanted to work on it since it debuted, and I was on Yellowstone, and they often shot concurrently, so there wasn't an opportunity," Bohen explains. "But I mentioned to Taylor, 'If it could ever work, I would love to do this.' And he, in his way, said, 'Yeah, I'll think about that.'"

Yellowstone, another series by Sheridan in which Bohen played ranch wrangler Ryan, wrapped its run in December 2024. Bohen says the timing "worked out," with production on season 3 of Lioness kicking off in October 2025.

The Call That Changed Everything

"I got a phone call saying, 'Would you like to come?' I think the [exact] words were, 'Would you like to come play with us?' And of course, those are the magic words," Bohen recalls. "Yellowstone concluded gloriously, and then I had the opportunity to come and be with these guys. Yeah, it's great timing."

The call from Sheridan was a moment Bohen had been hoping for since the series first premiered. His admiration for the show and its creator had been building for years, and when the opportunity finally arrived, he was ready to seize it.

Meet Grady

Bohen plays Grady, a by-the-book Delta Force operator and primary K9 handler who is "skilled in battlefield tactics," in the Paramount+ series. The role represents a significant departure from his Yellowstone character, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

In January, he shared a behind-the-scenes photo with Saldaña and Laysla De Oliveira, who plays Cruz Manuelos, in their tactical gear on Instagram. He captioned the post, "No need to look back I'll check your Six, we're running straight forward into 2026." The image captured the camaraderie and intensity that defines the series.

A Welcoming Cast

The Air Force One Down star tells PEOPLE during the N.Y.C. red carpet event that the Lioness cast was very open to welcoming him in as a newcomer.

"I'm gonna say that I've never felt more welcomed by a cast, in all my career, than I have with these people," he says. "I had met them in passing here and there over the years as a, you know, 'Hi, nice to see you.' But when I finally got there, they treated me like I was brethren from the get-go. Just as warm as could be."

"So, I've never felt more at home than [I do now]. And that doesn't happen a lot. In fact, oftentimes it can be the opposite. So this family is quite special to me," he adds.

The warmth and acceptance Bohen experienced on set speaks to the culture that Sheridan and the cast have cultivated. In an industry where sets can sometimes be cliquish or competitive, the Lioness family stands out as a supportive and collaborative environment.

About 'Lioness' Season 3

Lioness also stars Nicole Kidman, Michael Kelly, Morgan Freeman, James Jordan, LaMonica Garrett, Austen Hébert, Laysla De Oliveira, Genesis Rodriguez and Jill Wagner. The series follows the lives of CIA operatives working within the Lioness program, a covert initiative that deploys female agents to infiltrate terrorist networks and gather intelligence.

Season 3 promises to deliver the same high-stakes action and emotional depth that has made the series a hit with audiences and critics alike. Bohen's addition to the cast brings new energy and dynamics to the show, and fans are eager to see how his character fits into the complex world of espionage and loyalty.

Ian Bohen's journey to Lioness is a testament to the power of persistence and the importance of timing. His long-held desire to work with Taylor Sheridan and join the cast of the hit series has finally been realized, and the result is a performance that fans are sure to love.

New episodes of Lioness season 3 release on Sundays on Paramount+. As Bohen continues to make his mark on the series, one thing is clear: he has found a new home in the Lioness family.