Criticized for Not Being Strong in Physical Scenes, Zoe Saldaña Trains Heavily for Lioness Season 3

JAKARTA - Zoe Saldaña does not close her ears to criticism. The Lioness star admitted that she heard comments that doubted whether her petite body was able to undergo heavy physical scenes as CIA agent Joe McNamara.

Saldaña chose to answer through practice. For Lioness Season 3, the 48-year-old actress increased the portion of physical preparation to appear more convincing.

USA Today, quoted on Monday, August 3, reported that the latest season of the series created by Taylor Sheridan was called the most explosive season and the most combat scenes. The first episode has aired on Paramount+.

"It's very common for people to think that small-bodied women can't be strong or capable," Saldaña told USA Today.

"I always face this kind of reaction, people seem to not believe Joe can do a lot of his scenes. In fact, I've always been an athletic actress, keep practicing, even when I'm pregnant with my children," she said.

Saldaña said the criticism actually motivated him.

"The criticism almost gave me energy," Saldaña said.

"It challenged me to prove people wrong," he said.

Saldaña's physical preparation began in the summer of 2025. A few months earlier, she won the Oscar for best supporting actress through Emilia Pérez.

Not long after, Saldaña got a call from Lioness creator Taylor Sheridan. Sheridan gave the impression that the new season would require a stronger physique.

"Taylor called me about two months before we left for Texas for the season and told me what I had to deal with," Saldaña said.

"He said, 'I really want you to build more muscle. I want Joe to be like a machine,'" she said.

Saldaña read the message as a demand that Joe remain sharp on the battlefield, even though the character's age is no longer young.

"That's the driving factor. Joe has to be sharp and stay ready," Saldaña said.

"He understands that he is fighting against time and gravity," he said.

Saldaña then hired a personal trainer while on vacation in Italy with her husband, Italian artist Marco Perego-Saldaña, and their three sons, twins Cy and Bowie, 10, and Zen, 8.

"Italy can be a very tempting country to spend the summer," Saldaña said.

"I need a coach who oversees my nutrition and helps me build strength," he said.

Saldaña is not new to body training. He has studied ballet and classical dance. However, the demands of Lioness Season 3 make weight and strength training an important part of his character preparation.

In the series, Joe gets a training scene at a fitness center with the sound of grim world news as a backdrop. However, Saldaña doesn't use the same method when exercising.

"For Joe, hearing the news was motivating. But I chose a pop playlist," Saldaña said.

"I'm going to choose Ariana Grande, Madonna, maybe some Black Coffee songs. Listening to world news is the last thing that will make me get on the treadmill," he said.

USA Today said the third season of Lioness took Joe to the battlefield in Ukraine, while his family's life in the United States was also threatened.

Joe moves with veteran operators like Cruz Manuelos, Two Cups, and Major Cody Spears. Cody's character is played by Taylor Sheridan.

Saldaña referred to Sheridan as an intimidating figure on the set.

"I'm not going to lie. He came in very serious. It raised the bar for all of us," Saldaña said.

Despite being the creator of the series, Sheridan is said not to have taken over the work of episode director Michael Friedman.

"He did not come to the set to direct. Sheridan followed Michael's direction with great respect," Saldaña said.

"This shoot was heavy, rough, and intimidating, but everyone gave it their best," he said.

Saldaña also underwent refresher training on the use of pistols and semiautomatic weapons before filming. According to him, the exercise is important so that the entire team looks convincing.

"It's very important for the whole team to look as authentic as possible," Saldaña said.

"I was able to go home with a level of skill that I never imagined I could achieve. It made me feel stronger," he said.

For Saldaña, physical training is not just a matter of fight scenes. He said weight training also builds confidence and strengthens the way he plays Joe.

"Weight training is very important, especially for women at certain ages," Saldaña said.

"It gives you a strength you never thought you had, and it gives so much confidence. It feels like you can do hard things. Building muscle for Joe inspires me," he said.