Zoe Saldaña, best known for her roles in “Avatar” and “Guardians of the Galaxy,” stars and executive produces Season 2 of “Special Ops: Lioness” on Paramount+.
The series follows an undercover CIA agent working to assassinate terrorists. Saldaña returns as Joe, a tough CIA agent. She said season 2 had more physical scenes and more fighting.
Saldaña credits the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, with his background as a dancer and stunt performer.
“I love surprising myself. I love challenging myself to these extremes to see if I can pull it off,” she said.
One of the new season’s key moments involves her character asking potential recruits, “Do you love your country?” Saldaña explained that the weight of the question goes beyond mere words.
“I think it’s about understanding the sacrifices you have to make when you take an oath for your country,” she said. “You know that at any given time, you have to do everything you can to keep your country safe. When I say country, I’m talking about people.”
For Saldaña, Joe’s character has become more complex this season. She struggles to balance her duties as a mother.
“Now that she’s older, she feels a level of fear she never had. When she was young, she had no fear at all,” Saldaña said. “The moment you get older and have children, you start to accept your own mortality and feel your own 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’s underappreciated.
“I’m here today because of that. I stand up and I feel it’s innate to me to give 120% and not just for other people. You have to live for yourself first, and then for yourself and then other people.” she said
Season 2 of Special Ops: Lioness premieres on Paramount+ on October 27.
