Taylor Sheridan gives actors what Zoe Saldaña says are one of two choices on set.
The “Lioness” star offered a rare glimpse into what it’s like working with the prolific writer, director and producer, saying his standards challenge every actor who steps onto one of his sets.
“So working with him is a challenge in the sense that he does raise the bar,” Saldaña told People magazine. “And you have one of two choices. You either accept the challenge and make sure that you don’t f— up… or you quit.”
“And I like being challenged,” she added. “I really do.”
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Saldaña’s comments come as Sheridan continues to build one of television’s biggest entertainment empires with hit series including “Yellowstone,” “Lioness,” “Landman,” “Tulsa King,” “Mayor of Kingstown” and the “Yellowstone” prequels. His challenging scripts and hands-on approach have earned him a reputation for pushing actors to elevate their performances.
For Saldaña, who stars as CIA operative Joe McNamara in Paramount+’s “Lioness,” those expectations begin long before cameras start rolling.
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Speaking recently with USA TODAY, the Oscar-winning actress recalled Sheridan personally calling her ahead of season three to prepare her for the physically demanding role.
“He said, ‘I definitely want you to build more muscle. I want Joe to be just a machine,'” Saldaña told the outlet.
The actress said she immediately hired a private trainer to help transform into the battle-hardened CIA operative before filming began.
Sheridan’s presence on set can also be intimidating.
“Sheridan is an intimidating cat,” Saldaña told USA TODAY. “I’m not going to lie. And he comes in so serious. It raises the bar for the rest of us.”
Despite his demanding reputation, Saldaña told People magazine the “Yellowstone” creator is equally committed to collaborating with actors who come prepared.
“It’s actually great,” she said of working directly with Sheridan. “When you work with him is when you realize how passionate he is about actors and about acting. I think it is his first love when it comes to the arts.”
“He’s an incredibly smart person. He’s very curious about government affairs, and he seeks out information and education based on that curiosity,” Saldaña continued. “And then he writes these incredibly elaborate shows that end up really educating us as well.”
According to Saldaña, Kidman has become one of her closest collaborators on the series.
The actresses told People they have developed a routine whenever Sheridan’s complex scripts leave them searching for answers.
“We tag team finding out where Taylor is and seeing if he’s going to call us back because, when we need him, it’s always having to do with the work,” Saldaña said.
After spending “five or ten minutes” catching up every morning, the pair head to hair and makeup before turning their attention to the day’s scenes, often tracking Sheridan down between takes to discuss dialogue that “don’t feel like they’re making any sense.”
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For Saldaña, that teamwork has become one of the highlights of making the series.
“It’s wonderful because I respect her so much,” she told People of Kidman. “Nicole… I admire her. She’s an incredibly talented woman, but what she is first and foremost, what I love the most, is she’s a mother. She’s a daughter. She’s a sister. She’s a friend.”
“And she plays all of those roles beautifully,” Saldaña continued. “And she does it with so much love and unconditional support. That’s admirable. So everything about working with Nicole has been true joy.”
Kidman returned the compliment.
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“I just love her,” the Oscar winner said. “She’s just so fun, and she’s so generous, and a girl’s girl.”
“So you get this kind of… we come into work, but then we have so many other things that we rely on,” Kidman continued. “So the work is here, but then we have all this.”
The actresses’ partnership has become especially valuable because of Sheridan’s military- and intelligence-heavy scripts, which require extensive preparation before filming.
Earlier this year, Kidman revealed she relies on researchers to help her understand the show’s dense CIA terminology.
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“We have to understand every single thing we’re saying,” Kidman previously told People. “It has to come trippingly off your tongue. You have to understand everything, and it has to be [like it’s] something that you are using as everyday language all the time.”
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She previously compared preparing for the role to “suddenly doing a thesis in the CIA,” explaining that she, Michael Kelly and Morgan Freeman regularly rehearse together while working through unfamiliar terminology before cameras roll.
Saldaña has also spoken about the challenge of mastering Sheridan’s dialogue, previously telling People that the role helped her confront both her dyslexia and anxiety because of the preparation required.
Still, she said Sheridan’s willingness to listen is what surprises her most.
“And I love collaborating with Taylor because I love his mind. I like his art. I like his writing. And I like playing roles that feel wholesome.”
“When he knows that you care, when he knows where you’re coming from, when you know exactly what it is that you want to talk about, he meets you where you’re at,” Saldaña told People. “He’s very collaborative.”
