Zoe Saldaña and Nicole Kidman have developed a shared routine for handling the most complicated Lioness scenes: compare notes, identify their questions and track down series creator Taylor Sheridan.
Saldaña said the costars begin their mornings with a brief personal catch-up before discussing the scenes scheduled for that day. When something in Sheridan’s script does not feel clear, they work together to reach him.
After three seasons on the Paramount+ espionage drama, their questions can involve military terminology, character conflicts or the large amounts of dialogue written for their CIA officers.
The routine has become particularly useful on a series where the actors are expected to deliver technical language as naturally as their characters would use it during an operation.
Saldaña and Kidman Compare Notes Before Hair and Makeup
Saldaña told PEOPLE that she and Kidman normally spend “five or ten minutes” catching up before entering hair and makeup. Their conversation then turns toward the day’s work.
“We tag team finding out where Taylor is and seeing if he’s going to call us back,” Saldaña said. She explained that they approach Sheridan with specific questions about the material rather than seeking general reassurance about their performances.
The actresses usually contact him when a scene is not fully clicking or when they need more information before delivering the dialogue. Sheridan has written every episode of the series, making him the person best positioned to explain the intent and terminology in his scripts.
The Cast Researches the Show’s Military and CIA Language
Kidman previously said she works with researchers to understand the series’ intelligence terminology. She also rehearses with Michael Kelly and Morgan Freeman, stopping when necessary to define unfamiliar words and abbreviations.
Saldaña described a similar process in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. She said she regularly asks Sheridan what certain terms mean, what abbreviations represent and whether an event resembles the way an actual operation might unfold.
She called Sheridan a “fountain of information” and said his explanations help her manage the extensive dialogue written for CIA officer Joe McNamara.
Saldaña Says Sheridan Raises the Standard for His Actors
Saldaña acknowledged that working with Sheridan can be demanding because he expects actors to meet the standard established by his scripts. She said she welcomes that pressure and enjoys being challenged.
She also rejected the idea that Sheridan is unwilling to discuss his writing. According to Saldaña, he becomes “very collaborative” when performers arrive prepared and can clearly identify what they want to examine.
Saldaña credited his interest in domestic and international affairs with informing the detailed political and military world of Lioness. Working with Sheridan as both a writer and scene partner also allowed her to see how closely he remains connected to acting.
Saldaña and Kidman’s Friendship Extends Beyond the Set
Saldaña called working with Kidman a “true joy” and praised her roles as an actress, friend and mother. Kidman described Saldaña as fun, generous and supportive of other women.
Saldaña told Entertainment Weekly that Joe does not want to disappoint Kaitlyn and views her dedication to service and duty as something to emulate. Paramount+ confirmed that the eight-episode third season premiered on August 2nd. New episodes stream Sundays through the September 20th finale.