Ian Bohen has finally achieved a career goal he had been chasing for years by joining the cast of Paramount+’s war-action drama Lioness for its third season. The actor, best known for his role as Ryan on Yellowstone, had hoped to become part of Taylor Sheridan’s intense military series much earlier, but scheduling problems repeatedly stood in the way. After nearly securing a role during Season 2, plans eventually collapsed because of his commitments to Yellowstone, where he had become a series regular during the show’s final seasons. When the opportunity returned for Season 3, Bohen was thrilled to finally receive the call he had been waiting for.

The actor described the process of getting onto Lioness as an emotional roller coaster. At first, he and the team believed he would be able to join the show, and everything appeared to be moving forward. However, when the scheduling conflict forced the opportunity to disappear, Bohen admitted it felt like being removed from a team after preparing for a major moment. Although he was told another chance could come in the future, the disappointment was still difficult. When the timing eventually worked out and the official offer arrived, the actor said he felt overwhelmed with happiness, immediately sharing the news with his family and celebrating the achievement that had taken so long to reach.

Bohen explained that Lioness attracted him because it combined many of the elements he had always wanted to explore as a performer. The series features intense military operations, emotional drama, and large-scale action sequences, which matched the type of storytelling he admired. After reading early material from the show, he immediately recognized its potential and became eager to be involved. The opportunity to work alongside Taylor Sheridan and several people he already respected made the decision even more exciting. After watching the first two seasons, his desire to become part of the series only grew stronger, making his eventual arrival in Season 3 feel like a major personal milestone.

In the third season premiere, Bohen introduces viewers to Grady, a Delta Force operator who works with a military dog named Titan. While Grady appears to be a tough and experienced soldier, the character also carries a deep emotional connection with his canine partner. During a dangerous mission in Ukraine, Titan helps the team survive a difficult operation by taking down enemy fighters, but the dog suffers serious injuries after being attacked in the trenches. The situation becomes heartbreaking when Titan later dies, leaving Grady devastated by the loss of his trusted companion.

For Bohen, the storyline was especially surprising because he had prepared himself for a much longer journey with Titan. When he first learned that Grady would be a military dog handler, he imagined how that relationship could develop throughout the season. He spent months preparing for the role and building the mindset of someone who depends on a service animal in combat situations. However, when he read the script and discovered Titan would die in the opening episode, he felt as if all those expectations had suddenly disappeared. Despite the disappointment, he understood that the emotional impact of the moment was important for the story and used that loss to shape Grady’s character.

The actor also revealed that his family and friends had a strong reaction to Titan’s fate. Before the season began, Bohen had told them that he would be working with a military dog, and they became excited about seeing that relationship develop. When they discovered what happened in the premiere, they were upset and jokingly sent him messages expressing their frustration. Bohen said they were less affected by the fictional loss of soldiers in the episode but became deeply emotional when the dog was injured. Fortunately, the dog actor who portrayed Titan, Britta, is alive and well outside the show, which helped ease some of the sadness surrounding the storyline.

Beyond his connection with Titan, Bohen also enjoyed the opportunity to work directly with Taylor Sheridan, who appears in the series as Cody while also serving as the creator behind many of its major stories. Bohen said it was rewarding to see Sheridan approach acting like any other performer, putting aside his role as a creator and focusing on building strong scenes with his fellow actors. He appreciated the collaborative atmosphere on set, where everyone worked together to create the strongest version of the story without unnecessary ego or pressure.

Although Grady’s introduction begins with a painful loss, Bohen remains excited about his continued role in Lioness Season 3. After years of trying to become part of the series, he sees the experience as one of the most meaningful opportunities of his career. The actor’s journey to the show was filled with delays, uncertainty, and unexpected challenges, but finally stepping into the world of Lioness has made the wait worthwhile. For Bohen, the chance to portray a complex military character, participate in intense action sequences, and contribute to Taylor Sheridan’s expanding universe represents a dream fulfilled.