Zoe Saldaña is keeping her focus on Lioness rather than expanding her résumé across Taylor Sheridan’s growing television universe.
After three seasons as CIA operative Joe McNamara on the Paramount+ thriller, Saldaña, 48, says taking on another Sheridan production is not currently on her agenda. Her role on Lioness extends beyond acting, as she also serves as an executive producer on the series.
The combination means her involvement begins well before production starts and continues throughout filming, making the demanding schedule of one Sheridan series more than enough for now.
Saldaña has plenty on her plate with Lioness
Saldaña’s responsibilities on Lioness require significant preparation months ahead of production. As the show’s lead performer, she is also among the first cast members involved on set and typically remains until the day’s work is finished.
That level of commitment makes adding another Sheridan series difficult to imagine at this point.
Her connection to the filmmaker’s television universe has nevertheless been significant. Through Lioness, Saldaña has taken on a physically and emotionally demanding role while helping shape the series behind the scenes.
She also credits Sheridan with understanding the qualities she brings to a production. Their working relationship has allowed her to develop Joe over three seasons while taking on increasingly complicated material.
For Saldaña, staying with Lioness provides enough creative challenge without requiring her to divide her attention among multiple Sheridan projects.
Michael Kelly is expanding his Sheridan résumé
While Saldaña is staying focused on Lioness, her costar Michael Kelly is taking on another role within Sheridan’s television world.
Kelly, who plays CIA Deputy Director Byron Westfield on Lioness, is set to appear in the third season of Landman. His expanded involvement has prompted some playful concern from Saldaña about making sure his additional work does not interfere with his role on Lioness.
Saldaña has made clear that she values working with Kelly and sees him as an important part of the show’s ensemble. She has praised his acting and the opportunity to share scenes with him.
If Lioness returns for a fourth season, Saldaña expects Kelly’s commitments to remain a priority for the series.
Whether that fourth season will happen remains uncertain. Saldaña says she does not yet know what direction Sheridan would take the story or whether another season is ultimately in the works.
Season 3 transformed Joe’s role
The third season placed Joe in unfamiliar territory by making her the target of the operation rather than the person directing events from behind the scenes.
That shift changed the way Saldaña approached the character. Joe, who has traditionally operated as someone responsible for helping other operatives navigate dangerous missions, found herself forced to escape a situation in which she was directly vulnerable.
The season therefore reversed some of the established dynamics surrounding the character. Instead of controlling the operation, Joe became the person who needed to survive it.
For Saldaña, that transformation also created a new understanding of the series title. Joe effectively experienced what the operatives she has previously overseen have faced, including being deeply embedded in a mission and then having to find a way out.
Sheridan’s characters continue to challenge expectations
Saldaña has also expressed appreciation for the way Sheridan approaches the characters in Lioness.
She has previously discussed how the central roles are written around the individual characters rather than being tightly defined by gender. In her view, Joe’s qualities are not dependent on the character being a woman, and she sees similar flexibility in several other major roles on the show.
That approach has allowed the series to focus heavily on the personalities, abilities and motivations of its characters.
Saldaña has said she respects Sheridan’s ability to create substantial roles for women and considers playing Joe an especially meaningful opportunity. After three seasons, she remains proud of how the character has developed.
A demanding role that continues to evolve
Before the third season premiered, Saldaña acknowledged that the latest storyline presented a particularly demanding challenge. She had discussed Joe’s trajectory with Sheridan before filming began and ultimately embraced the direction the character took.
Her experience working with Sheridan has also shaped her appreciation for his approach to acting. Saldaña has described him as someone deeply invested in performers and the craft, noting that his expectations can push actors to raise their level.
That challenge appears to be part of what has kept her invested in Lioness.
For now, though, Saldaña is not looking to add another Sheridan production to her schedule. With her responsibilities as the show’s lead and executive producer, Lioness continues to provide more than enough work.
The future of season 4 remains unclear, but Saldaña’s commitment to Joe and the series remains evident. Lioness is currently streaming on Paramount+.
