Zoe Saldana reveals Taylor Sheridan’s brutal ultimatum for stars of hit series

Taylor Sheridan has developed a reputation in the industry for being difficult to work with. But it turns out that what some stars see as difficult, others see as a challenge.

Zoe Saldaña stars on Sheridan’s show Lioness alongside Nicole Kidman. She says that when faced with a challenge from Sheridan, actors are given two options.

In an interview with People, Saldaña said that as an actor working with Sheridan, you can either “make sure you don’t f--- up or quit”. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

“Working with him is a challenge in the sense that he does raise the bar,” she told the publication.

“And you have one of two choices. You either accept the challenge and make sure that you don’t f--k up... or you quit.

 “And I like being challenged. I really do.”

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Lioness was first released back in 2023, now heading into its third season. Saldaña and Kidman have starred together in the spy thriller series for the past three years.

Will Lioness is no small show Sheridan is perhaps better known for series such as Landman and Yellowstone, the latter of which saw him clash heads with one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Kevin Costner led the first four and a half seasons of Yellowstone, departing ahead of season five part two, reportedly due to creative differences with Sheridan.

The alleged feud saw Sheridan become notoriously difficult to work with, with many saying he is fiercely protective over his scripts and ideas. But according to Saldaña, it might all just be rumours.

“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 said.

“He’s very collaborative. And I love collaborating with Taylor because I love his mind. I like his art. I like his writing.”

Lioness is just one of the many shows in the Taylor Sheridan universe. With hits including Yellowstone, Landman, Dutton Ranch, and Marshalls, Sheridan most recently found success with a quieter take on his neo-Western style in The Madison, led by Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell.