Zoe Saldaña has taken a firm stance against expanding her involvement in Taylor Sheridan’s expanding television projects. Saldaña, known for her Oscar-winning performances, stars in Sheridan’s CIA drama “Lioness” as Joe McNamara. She explained that the demanding nature of the role is all-consuming and leaves her with no interest in further commitments within Sheridan’s TV endeavors.
“Joe McNamara and ‘Lioness’ is all I can handle at this time,” Saldaña shared with People. Her work schedule is packed, as leading the series involves a heavy workload before filming even begins. “I’m number one on the call sheet,” she revealed, “first one in, last one out.” Months of preparation precede the production, making the role quite labor-intensive.
Although Saldaña is not seeking additional roles in Sheridan’s productions, she believes their collaboration over three seasons has instilled a sense of trust. “The good takeaway is that he knows I’m reliable,” she mentioned, adding that Sheridan acknowledges her honesty and assertiveness.
Despite her confidence, Saldaña admitted to initial doubts about managing the demanding role before season three premiered. “It was very demanding,” she reflected, speaking to Entertainment Weekly. Concerns arose about whether she could meet the role’s challenges, which she described as her most challenging performance to date.
Saldaña holds a high regard for how Sheridan crafted the character of Joe McNamara—not merely defined by gender but through her capabilities. This approach gave Saldaña the honor of portraying one of his female leads. “I’m incredibly honored that he wrote Joe as a woman,” she stated.
Season three of the series concluded on September 20, but a fourth season has not yet been confirmed by Paramount+. The last episodes of season three intensified the stakes for Joe, creating personal and professional pressures while turning her into a target.
Saldaña’s portrayal of Joe stands out due to this nuanced character development. Reflecting on past stories of men like Joe, she praised Sheridan’s deliberate choice to focus on the character’s essence rather than superficial attributes. “When you write something incredible that defies gender and race, it’s about the merit of that human being,” Saldaña explained.