Lioness Season 2 Preview (Spoilers)

The CIA's female military agents lioness In the second part of this spy thriller produced by Taylor Sheridan, the two from the program are back on the hunt in an action-packed new mission. The two-episode premiere begins with the kidnapping of a U.S. congresswoman and kicks off a season in which stern officer-in-charge Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña) grapples with harsh truths.

“Joe is a very clean player in a sometimes dirty game. “They will speak to Joe in detail as she figures this out,” Saldaña told TV Insider. “It's difficult to navigate an environment where everyone has secrets. [That creates] Hostility and doubt within [the] Unit.”

Here, the actress tells us more about the high-stakes action, hints at new twists for the star-studded cast and shares how she trained harder than ever for the tough role.

Are we in for a bigger, badder season for Joe?

Zoe Saldana: Joe will be much more involved in actions than in decision making and designing operations. What Taylor really wanted for Joe is to raise the stakes so high that Joe wonders what the hell she's still doing here. Taylor did some research. He's surrounded by people who have experience in their respective fields, so there's a lot of reality in what we do – and I'm pretty sure a lot of fiction too. That will make this season much sharper. It's getting hot!

What makes the heat high?

[CIA agent/Joe’s colleague] Kyle McManus [Thad Luckinbill] and Joe's respective missions influence each other. This is a big wake-up call for Joe. Sometimes these boundaries need to be blurred for missions to execute properly. Joe must contend with a moral code that is inherent to her as a person and an oath that she does not want to break. You have an obligation to be completely discreet and protect information even from your own team. This creates hostility and doubt. Joe has to realign the team.

Is Joe's boss and mentor Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman) one of those with secrets?

Kaitlyn is a machine, and she trained and raised a machine. As long as Kaitlyn and Joe are on the right side of the fight together, they are a force to be reckoned with. Will it always be completely certain that both are on the same side? No, and that is their job. Your job is to keep everyone guessing, including each other. We'll see what this relationship is really like and how ruthless these women can be when it comes to completing their missions. What they have in common is that they are true patriots and believe in what they do. The difference is that losing a lioness is hard for Joe. For them it is unbelievable.

Are we still feeling the presence of Lioness and Joe's fan-favorite recruit, Cruz Mañuelos (Laysla De Oliveira), who quit her job in the season 1 finale?

Cruz was ready to go. I'm not saying she's coming back. It will be a surprise that we will leave until the last minute for the sake of the fans. There are many similarities that Joe sees between her and Cruz, but they are things that Joe used to be. Cruz is a strong-willed individual who truly believes in his unity and in people. Sometimes this forces her to question the mission and how far she will go to accomplish it. Joe made peace with that some time ago.

Is Joe recruiting a new lioness?

Oh boy. The stakes are getting higher and higher. Not just recruiting hungry young patriots who would do anything to be assigned to the Lioness program. Joe also has to move between other organizations within the people in service, either recruiting them or draining them of any resources they may have. You have no choice but to join.

What can you say about Genesis Rodriguez's new character Josie?

Genesis is an officer with a certain rank and therefore is not used to taking orders from other superiors, especially from other organizations.

Can you hint at what fans can expect from Secretary of State Edwin Mullins (Morgan Freeman) and CIA Deputy Director Westfield (Michael Kelly) in Season 2?

We'll learn a little more about Westfield. I think he's one of the most fascinating characters that's in a very hot seat. He may feel cold at times and be quick to make compromising decisions, but he still has a backbone. We'll see different layers of him. Morgan Freeman's character has the power to approve and greenlight many things, so he must use good judgment. It's quite fascinating to watch Morgan embody this character and move around a room. Nicole, Michael and I pinch ourselves every time we work with him.

Will Joe continue to grapple with what this job means to their family?

Yes. Season 1 laid the foundation for what happens in your life when you start being fearful instead of fearless. You are aware that if you put your life at risk, you may endanger your family structure, your relationship with your partner and your children. In Season 2, we'll see how big the sacrifice is and the toll it begins to take on Joe. Joe will try to pamper her family as much as possible without compromising their commitment and oath. There is a lot of tension. But at the end of the day there is a beautiful and real love story between Joe and her husband Neil [Dave Annable] and they would do anything to ensure the safety and health of their daughters.

Ryan Green/Paramount+

Did you have to train hard for this season?

Episode after episode, we'll be on the edge of our seats as Joe sends her team through various missions. That required a lot more training. I tend to always condition myself. As a former ballerina, I have always believed in the connection I have with my body and then I shape it according to the type of character and film I am doing. On this film, I worked with my trainer and a former Navy SEAL who trained the cast. It was strength training, which I'm glad about – I don't do cardio!

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

lionessSeason two premieres, October 27, Paramount+