Jill Wagner, a star of the Paramount+ series "Lioness," has revealed a challenging experience with the show's creator, Taylor Sheridan, who once required her to reshoot a scene using her non-dominant hand with only 10 minutes' notice. The incident occurred during filming for the third season of the series.
Wagner, who portrays the character Bobby, described the moment to People magazine, recalling a scene where she and co-star Laysla De Oliveira, who plays Cruz, were attempting to enter a house and clear a room. "Ten minutes before we roll, he comes in and says, ‘No, I think you should switch arms. Transition your weapon to your left arm,’" Wagner recounted. She admitted to needing assistance to adapt to the unexpected change.
Despite the abrupt nature of the request, Wagner stated that the scene ultimately proved successful and is now considered one of her favorite moments. She noted that while the current season is "a bit more cerebral," nothing has been "physically draining for me."
De Oliveira corroborated Wagner's account of Sheridan's directing style, emphasizing the need for adaptability on set. "That's the coolest thing about working with Taylor. He can change things on the spot," De Oliveira said. "You have to have your head on a swivel and be able to do that." She added that overcoming such challenges can lead to a strong sense of accomplishment, with cast members leaving the set feeling capable of handling any task.
De Oliveira clarified that Sheridan does not typically alter the script itself but requires flexibility in his direction. She suggested that these experiences can be beneficial for actors in future roles. "If you can pick that up, then you go onto another set and think, ‘Well, this one time I did everything with my left hand even though I’m right-handed,’" she explained.
This account of Sheridan's directorial methods comes amidst other recent reports concerning the "Yellowstone" creator. In 2023, sources suggested that Sheridan had developed a "God complex" and clashed with "Yellowstone" star Kevin Costner over the direction of Costner's character. An insider claimed that Costner's concerns about the show's evolving narrative were dismissed, with the actor allegedly being told to "stick to acting."
Additionally, Sheridan is currently facing a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by television writer Lauren J. Salkin. Salkin alleges that Sheridan stole her idea for a show called "Sovereign Nation," which she presented to his representatives in late 2016 and early 2017, and that this idea was transformed into the hit series "Yellowstone." The lawsuit names Sheridan, his management company, Paramount, and NBCUniversal as defendants. Salkin's attorney described it as a "classic David versus Goliath situation" and stated they would seek justice for their client.
"Lioness" season three premiered on Paramount+ in August, with its finale scheduled for September 20.