'Lioness Is All I Can Handle': Zoe Saldaña Explains Why She Won't Join Another Taylor Sheridan Show for Now

Zoe Saldaña has no plans to join another Taylor Sheridan show for now, telling People in an interview published on Sunday that her acting and producing responsibilities on Paramount+'s Lioness are already enough to handle.

The 48-year-old has spent three seasons starring in and executive producing the spy thriller. Her decision to stay focused on Lioness reflects a workload that begins months before filming and continues through long days on set.

Zoe Saldaña's Lioness Workload

'I think that Joe McNamara and Lioness is all that I can handle at this time,' Saldaña said, referring to her character and the series. Her explanation covered both sides of her job. Alongside playing the lead, she prepares for the production in her capacity as an executive producer, with commitments extending beyond the hours she spends performing.

'I'm number one on the call sheet,' she said. 'I am first one in, last one out. I am prepping months before anybody ever is able to prep. So it's already a lot of work for me.' 'I can't imagine me taking on more of a Taylor Sheridan world,' she said.

Her answer was about taking on another Sheridan project alongside Lioness. She tied that decision to what she could manage 'at this time', leaving her existing series as her focus.

Saldaña plays a CIA operative who leads a secret group of female special operatives recruited from different branches of the military. Their assignments involve infiltrating terrorist organisations by befriending the wives and daughters of those they are targeting. Nicole Kidman and Morgan Freeman also star in the series.

In the latest interview, Saldaña said their work together had shown Sheridan that she was 'reliable, just like Joe is'. She also described what she brought to the part and to the working relationship. 'I have my views, and I come with all heart, all brains, all muscle at all times,' she said. 'So, no, I think I'm good here at Lioness.'

Her comments follow news that fellow Lioness cast member Michael Kelly will join another Sheridan series. Kelly is set to appear in the third season of Landman, which began filming earlier this month.

Zoe Saldaña Praises Sheridan

Her decision to limit further commitments follows praise for Sheridan's writing. Speaking to People when Lioness's third season was released in August, Saldaña described the research behind his scripts and the expectations he sets for performers.

'He's very curious about government affairs, and he seeks out information and education based on that curiosity, and then he writes these incredibly elaborate shows that end up really educating us as well.'

The Oscar winner also described what it meant to take on a role written by the Yellowstone creator. Alongside her praise for his research, she spoke about having to meet his expectations when performing the material. She said actors had a choice about whether to accept the challenge.

'Working with him is a challenge in the sense that he does raise the bar, and you have one of two choices. You either accept the challenge and make sure that you don't f*** up... or you quit,' she said. 'And I like being challenged. I really do.'