Taylor Sheridan, the acclaimed writer, director, and producer behind hit series such as "Yellowstone" and "Lioness," presents actors with a stark ultimatum on his sets, according to actress Zoe Saldaña.
"You either accept the challenge and make sure that you don’t f— up… or you quit," Saldaña told People magazine, describing Sheridan's high standards as a significant challenge that raises the bar for all performers.
Saldaña, who portrays CIA operative Joe McNamara in Paramount+'s "Lioness," shared that Sheridan's expectations begin well before filming commences. She recalled Sheridan personally contacting her before the third season to emphasize the need for physical preparation for her role. "He said, ‘I definitely want you to build more muscle. I want Joe to be just a machine,'" Saldaña told USA TODAY. In response, she hired a private trainer to transform into the physically demanding character.
Describing Sheridan as an "intimidating cat" who approaches sets with seriousness, Saldaña acknowledged that his presence heightens the performance expectations for everyone involved. "And he comes in so serious. It raises the bar for the rest of us," she stated.
Despite his reputation for intensity, Saldaña also noted Sheridan's commitment to collaborating with well-prepared actors. "When you work with him is when you realize how passionate he is about actors and about acting," she said, adding that she believes it to be his "first love when it comes to the arts."
Sheridan's curiosity about government affairs informs his elaborate storytelling, which Saldaña believes also serves an educational purpose for the audience. She highlighted her collaborative relationship with co-star Nicole Kidman, noting that they often work together to decipher Sheridan's complex scripts. "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 explained. After brief morning catch-ups, the actresses focus on scenes, often seeking out Sheridan between takes to clarify dialogue that feels unclear.
Kidman echoed Saldaña's sentiments, describing their partnership as invaluable due to the intricate military and intelligence jargon prevalent in Sheridan's scripts. "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."
Kidman likened preparing for her role to "suddenly doing a thesis in the CIA" and mentioned that she, Michael Kelly, and Morgan Freeman regularly rehearse to master unfamiliar terminology. Saldaña has also spoken about the challenges of Sheridan's dialogue, noting that the role helped her confront her dyslexia and anxiety due to the required preparation.
Saldaña expressed admiration for Sheridan's willingness to listen and collaborate. "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," she told People. "He’s very collaborative."