Jill Wagner has captivated viewers with her gritty, tough-as-nails role on Taylor Sheridan's Special Ops: Lioness.
The actress plays Bobby, the Quick Reaction Force leader operating alongside Zoe Saldaña and Nicole Kidman's characters on the show.
But as fans marvel at her tactical combat skills and intense on-screen presence, many have had a sudden jolt of realization about where they've seen her before — and it could not be further from the dark world of military intelligence.
© Paramount PlusBefore strapping on body armor for Lioness, Jill was a familiar face across mainstream American television.
She's carved out a diverse career from slapstick game shows and supernatural teen dramas, to cozy holiday romances.
Jill was a game show host
© Getty ImagesFor millions of viewers, Jill's face is linked to huge inflatables, mud pits and a lot of laughs, because from 2008 to 2014 she served as co-host of ABC's smash-hit competition series Wipeout.
Week after week, Jill stood at the finish line interviewing the bruised, wet, and muddy contestants. She earned praise for her warm humor, relatable charm, and signature smile.
From Teen Wolf to the queen of Hallmark
© Getty ImagesFor those who didn't spend their summer nights watching Wipeout, Jill was likely popping up in entirely different genres.
Sci-fi fans would know her for playing fierce werewolf hunter Kate Argent in Teen Wolf.
© Getty ImagesHowever, she's also built legions of loyal fans by starring in dozens of feel-good, heartwarming TV movies for the Hallmark Channel and Great American Family, from lead roles in Christmas in Evergreen to playing literature professor Amy Winslow in the beloved Mystery 101 series. Winter romances and small-town murder mysteries are also her thing.
Jill's involvement in Lioness is far bigger than people realize
© Getty ImagesJill isn't just starring in Lioness, she is also an executive producer who helped pitch and create the show.
Jill was raised in a military family with her father, uncle and grandfather all serving in the Marines. She and her husband, former Army Major David Lemanowic, came up with the concept for the show on their farm in Tennessee.
© Variety via Getty ImagesDrawing inspiration from real-life female military operatives, Jill brought the idea to her former acting coach, Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, who turned it into a global streaming hit.
Jill spoke to Parade ahead of the show's second season and confirmed: "My husband, David, was the one who told me about the Lioness program. From that moment on, I knew there was a story to tell. It took about five years, but I never gave up."
