'We Have Him First': Zoe Saldaña Wants Michael Kelly Back if 'Lioness' Gets Season 4

Zoe Saldaña is already staking a claim on Michael Kelly's future in Taylor Sheridan's spy thriller 'Lioness', insisting 'we have him first' if Paramount+ orders a fourth season of the Paramount+ drama.

The actress, who plays CIA operative Joe McNamara, has become a central figure in Sheridan's expanding television universe, yet has made clear she is not ready to move away from 'Lioness'.

While she has been asked about joining other Sheridan projects, Saldaña says her priority is keeping the current ensemble together if the show returns, with Kelly firmly in place.

Zoe Saldaña Wants Michael Kelly To Stay

Kelly plays Byron Westfield, the CIA deputy director who has developed a particularly close professional relationship with Nicole Kidman's Kaitlyn Meade. The pair operate as a highly coordinated partnership within the CIA, with Westfield frequently serving as one of the key figures overseeing Joe and the Lioness operation.

Unlike Saldaña, who pointed out that she wants to focus on 'Lioness', Kelly has recently been confirmed for 'Landman' Season 3, another Sheridan series. However, Saldaña says her co-star will need to prioritise their show. 'Michael can't be going there and doing more work,' she said. 'If we do come back for Season 4, we have him first.'

Saldaña added: 'I don't see anybody else playing Byron. He's excellent as Westfield, and he's such a talented actor, and I really enjoy sharing screen time with him. I learn so much from Michael.'

Saldaña's comments are not confirmation that Season 4 has been ordered or that Kelly has formally committed to returning, but they make clear that she would like Byron Westfield to remain part of the series if another season happens.

Season 3 Leaves Joe's Future Uncertain

The third season pushed Joe further than before. She was kidnapped and tortured, forcing the usually controlled CIA operative into the position of becoming the target rather than the person directing an operation.

By the finale, Joe had survived, but the consequences followed her home. Her husband, Neal McNamara, had left the family home with their daughters, leaving Joe to confront the personal cost of the career she has spent years trying to balance with family life.

Saldaña has described the ending as heartbreaking and said she hopes Joe and Neal can eventually find their way back to each other if the series returns.

Professionally, Joe also faces a complicated future. Her kidnapping was ultimately revealed to have been orchestrated by Aaliyah Amrohi, connecting the Season 3 storyline back to the events surrounding Cruz Manuelos in the first season.

Michael Kelly's Byron Remains Crucial

While Joe's personal life has become increasingly unstable, Byron remains one of the show's institutional figures. His partnership with Kaitlyn has become an important part of the CIA storyline, with the two characters sharing a professional understanding that allows them to anticipate each other's decisions.

Their relationship has been described as a kind of 'work marriage', highlighting how closely the characters operate together.

Keeping Kelly in the cast would therefore preserve one of the most established relationships in 'Lioness' while allowing a potential fourth season to continue exploring the CIA's operations.

Has 'Lioness' Been Renewed for Season 4?

For now, Season 4 has not officially been ordered by Paramount+. However, there has been enthusiasm from the cast about continuing the series. Nicole Kidman has urged fans to make their voices heard if they want more 'Lioness', while other cast members have expressed confidence that the show could return.

Saldaña has also made clear that she is interested in seeing where Joe's story goes next. Following the Season 3 finale, she said she did not know what Sheridan had planned should the series continue, but she remained hopeful about Joe's future. For fans, that could mean another season featuring Joe, Byron and the rest of the CIA team.

If Saldaña gets her way, Michael Kelly will be there too. The future of 'Lioness' remains undecided, but the actress says she is not ready to leave the world, or its key players, behind.