Zoe Saldaña Says Shooting Lioness Season 2 Was 'Easier' Because of Her 'Beautiful Friendship' with Nicole Kidman (Exclusive)

Returning for another season of the adrenaline-pumping spy drama sounds potentially daunting, but it helps to have a good friend by your side.

During a recent interview with PEOPLE, Zoe Saldaña explained how important her relationship with Nicole Kidman was to the reunion Lionesswhich premiered on Sunday, October 27. In addition to starring in the Paramount+ series, Saldaña and Kidman are executive producers, along with Yellowstoneamong others is Taylor Sheridan.

“I feel like it’s easier to work with people you know, and we really have a wonderful friendship—it’s genuine,” Saldaña says.

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Zoe Saldana and Nicole Kidman in the second season of ‘Lioness’.

Ryan Green/Paramount+

Saldaña, 46, and Kidman, 57, explain that they have “a lot” in common – “We’re both Geminis!” Saldaña thinks — but beyond that, they’re also extremely “dedicated” to their families.

Saldaña has three sons with Marco Perega – Cy (9), Bowie (9) and Zen (7). While Kidman has four children with husband Keith Urban and ex Tom Cruise, including Bella Kidman Cruise, 31, Connor Cruise, 29, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban, 16, and Faith Margaret Kidman Urban, 13.

The two actresses also share a deep love for their craft.

“The one thing I admire so much about Nicole is that she is very passionate about what she does. She loves what she does,” Saldaña continues. “So there’s a level of preparation that she brings to the table that changes you if you work with her. And I get to work with someone I truly respect and admire for so long. And now I can tell my friends, ‘I’m friends with Nicole!'”

Lioness Season 2 exclusive first look: Zoe Saldaña teases new missions with Nicole Kidman and Genesis Rodriguez

Zoe Saldana in the second season of ‘The Lioness’.

Lauren Smith/Paramount+

Kidman, for her part, says the two have a true collaborative process.

“We’ll say, ‘What about this and what do you think about it? And should we do that?'” she says and adds, “We work together. So it really is about the team. And we can go together as a united front, which is so good.”

Kidman previously told PEOPLE in July 2023 that the production is for Lioness is a demanding but ultimately satisfying process.

“There’s a tremendous amount of action in this show,” she said at the time. “We both had to work very hard, because we would share this fantastic dialogue, and you want to achieve that. But it is also very physical and demanding. It’s a roller coaster ride.”

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Nicole Kidman in the second season of ‘The Lioness’.

Lauren Smith/Paramount+

While filming can be challenging at times, Saldaña tells PEOPLE that the cast has developed a sense of community and generosity that is helpful, especially now that the show is in its second season.

“When we were doing those difficult scenes with the rest of the cast, everyone would jump in and run with us to get the cadence, so until we were camera-ready, we were just like extensions of each other,” she explains. “You can only be lucky to have that kind of camaraderie on set.”

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New episodes Lioness drop Sundays on Paramount+.

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Source: HIS Education