Zoe Saldanaknown for his roles in “Avatar” and “Guardians of the Galaxy,” stars in and produces season two of “Special Ops: Lioness” on Paramount+.
The series follows undercover CIA agents working to assassinate terrorists. Saldaña returns as Joe, a tough CIA agent. She said there were more fights, much more physical scenes in season two.
Saldaña credits the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, with knowing her background as a dancer and stunt performer.
“I like to surprise myself. I like to take myself to these extremes to see if I can pull them off,” she said.
One of the key moments in the new season involves her character asking a potential recruit, “Do you love your country?” The weight of that question, Saldaña explained, goes beyond mere words.
“I think it’s understanding the sacrifices that you have to make when you take your oath to a nation,” she said. “When you know that at any moment you’re going to be expected to do everything in your power to keep the nation safe. By saying the nation, you’re talking about people.”
For Saldaña, this season brings added complexity to Joe’s character, as she struggles to balance her duty with being a mother.
“Now that she’s older, it’s entertaining a level of fear that she never had. You know, when you’re young, you’re absolutely fearless,” Saldaña said. “The moment you get older, and, like, you have kids, you start accepting your own mortality, you feel your mortality. And I think that’s where Joe is.”
Saldaña also said she connects with Joe’s journey on a personal level, especially when it comes to being underrated.
“I am here today because of that. I rise, and I feel it is innate in me to give 120% – not for others. You have to live for yourself first, and then in turn you live for others” , she said.
Season 2 of Special Ops: Lioness premieres October 27 on Paramount+.