Oscar-winning actress Zoe Saldaña has revealed that criticism about her ability to portray the physically demanding CIA operative Joe McNamara in Lioness became the motivation behind her intense preparation for the show’s third season.
Speaking in a recent interview with USA TODAY, the 48-year-old actress said she pushed herself harder than ever, building strength and endurance to deliver the action-packed role convincingly.
“It’s very typical to think that a woman with a petite frame cannot be strong or capable,” Saldaña said. “I’ve always faced this backlash… The criticism almost feeds me. It challenges me to prove people wrong.”
Saldaña explained that she hired a private trainer during a family vacation in Italy to focus on strength training, nutrition, and overall fitness ahead of filming.
Although Lioness features a dramatic training montage accompanied by global news headlines, Saldaña admitted her real-life workout playlist is much lighter.
“I go for Ariana Grande, Madonna, maybe some Black Coffee. Listening to the news of the world is the last thing that’s going to get me on a treadmill,” she said.
Season 3 places Joe McNamara in some of the series’ most dangerous missions, including operations in Ukraine, where she works alongside elite operatives to track a high-value Russian target. Saldaña also praised series creator Taylor Sheridan for his professionalism on set, describing him as “an intimidating cat” who nonetheless respected the director’s leadership during filming.
To prepare for the role, Saldaña also refreshed her firearms training, learning to handle handguns and semi-automatic weapons more effectively to ensure authenticity in the action scenes.
Beyond preparing for the character, the actress said the experience transformed her personally.
“Weight training is essential, especially for women of a certain age. It gives you strength you never thought you had, and that gives so much confidence. Building muscle for Joe inspired me.”
Lioness Season 3 is now streaming on Paramount+, with the first episode available to viewers.
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