Jill Wagner is earning fresh attention from Lioness viewers for her steely turn as CIA operative Bobby — but many fans have been surprised to learn her TV résumé includes a very different kind of action.
Before joining the Taylor Sheridan drama, the 47-year-old actress was widely recognized as a co-host on ABC’s hit obstacle-course competition series Wipeout, which aired from 2008 to 2014.
On the show, Wagner became a familiar face to audiences as she spoke with contestants after their runs — whether they had conquered the course or suffered one of the program’s signature, over-the-top wipeouts.
Competitors were tasked with battling their way through a lineup of massive physical challenges, from the famous bouncing balls to rotating platforms, swinging obstacles and slick ramps designed to send them flying.
Wipeout built a devoted fan base thanks to its chaotic humor and the endless stream of spectacular falls, with contestants regularly crashing, sliding and tumbling their way across the course.
Wagner recently leaned into the unexpected career revelation on Instagram, acknowledging fans’ double takes with a video captioned, “Fooled ya.”
Jill Wagner, 47, is now familiar to Lioness fans as tough CIA operative Bobby, though many viewers were surprised to discover her past as a host on a beloved ABC game show; seen in a Lioness still
Wagner previously co-hosted ABC’s endurance competition series Wipeout, which ran from 2008 to 2014; seen in a still from Wipeout
‘I’m getting sent this video from all my friends. There is this video out that says I was this many days old when I figured out that the host on Wipeout, that Jill, was Lioness Bobby Jill.’
‘What about if I told you that Lioness Bobby Jill and host Wipeout Jill was also Teen Wolf Kate Argent Jill, is also Christmas movie Jill? I know, it’s crazy,’ she said.
‘But here’s the thing. Guys, it is our job as an actor to fool you. To make you think we’re the characters that we’re playing. So, first of all thank you. That’s like the biggest compliment, is that you people don’t know who I am.’
‘I actually kind of prefer it like that,’ she added.
Fans on social media have been sharing their surprised reactions after discovering that she used to host Wipeout.
‘My mind is blownnnn!!!’ one Instagram user wrote. ‘No way I can’t believe this,’ another added.
‘Yoooooo what !???’
‘I knew she looked familiar but couldn’t remember from where,’ another wrote.
She famously interviewed contestants after they completed the course or spectacularly wiped out
The participants had to navigate oversized obstacles, including huge bouncing balls, spinning platforms, swinging objects as well as slippery ramps; Seen in 2009 during season two
The show gained a cult following for the hilarious wipeouts, with contestants regularly taking messy falls; A contestant pictured on the obstacle course
Wagner acknowledged how stunned fans have been after learning who she is in a recent Instagram video captioned ‘Fooled ya’
Fans on social media have been sharing their surprised reactions after discovering that she used to host Wipeout
‘NOOOO WAY. Wow.’
‘Ain’t no way,’ someone else chimed in.
Wagner is also known for playing hunter Kate Argent on season one of Teen Wolf. She later transformed into a Werejaguar and resurfaced in seasons three, four and six.
In 2019, Wagner was cast as the lead in Hallmark’s Mystery 101 series of TV movies, playing Amy Winslow, an English Literature professor who helps a local detective solve strange crimes.
Wagner currently stars in Lioness and recently opened up about working with the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, revealing one of her most challenging moments under his direction.
The show, which stars Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldana, is in its third season, and while Wagner, who plays Bobby, says that nothing was ‘physically draining for me,’ she said the current season is ‘a bit more cerebral.’
Speaking to People with her co-star Laysla De Oliveira, who plays Cruz, the actress admitted that Sheridan forced her to redo one scene using her non-dominant hand with almost no notice.
Our News Outlet has contacted representatives for Sheridan for comment.
She is also known for playing hunter Kate Argent on season one of Teen Wolf (pictured in a 2011 still)
Wagner recently opened up about working with Lioness creator Taylor Sheridan, revealing one of her most challenging moments under his direction; She is seen July 29
‘There was one day that Laysla and I were trying to get this entrance into the house,’ she explained. ‘Cruz and Bobby have to come in and clear the room, and we were having difficulties with some of the angles.
‘Ten minutes before we roll, he comes in and says, “No, I think you should switch arms. Transition your weapon to your left arm.”’ Wagner recalls. ‘And I was just like, “Hmm … OK. Help me.”’
The actress told the publication that although the task was tough, it turned out to be a success.
‘Ultimately, we worked it out, and it’s probably going to be one of my favorite moments,’ Wagner continued.
Lioness season three dropped on Paramount+ in August, and the finale hits the streaming platform on September 20.
