Stockyards, sushi, museums: What Zoe Saldaña, other ‘Lioness’ stars love about Fort Worth
“Lioness” star Zoe Saldaña found an appreciation for Texas culture while filming the second season of her Paramount+ series in Fort Worth.
The Lone Star State feels like a country all on its own, that is rich in both history and diversity, she said.
“You see people of every color in Texas, but they’re all Texans,” Saldaña said. “That’s kind of beautiful.”
Saldaña was one of three actors who spoke to the Star-Telegram about filming “Lioness” season 2 in Fort Worth.
“Lioness” began production in Cowtown in late May and wrapped filming in late August. The series also stars Laysla De Oliveira, Genesis Rodriguez, Michael Kelly, Morgan Freeman and Nicole Kidman.
Paramount+ premiered the first two episodes of “Lioness” season 2 on Oct. 27 and will air new episodes weekly on Sundays until Dec. 8. Here’s a synopsis of the second season:
“As the CIA’s fight against terror moves closer to home, Joe (Saldaña), Kaitlyn (Kidman), and Byron (Kelly) enlist a new Lioness operative to infiltrate a previously unknown threat. With pressure mounting from all sides, Joe is forced to confront the profound personal sacrifices she has made as the leader of the Lioness program.”
‘Lioness’ star Michael Kelly on Fort Worth’s great art and sushi
“Lioness” actor Michael Kelly wasn’t enthusiastic about filming the second season of the Paramount+ series in Fort Worth during the summer.
However, everything changed for Kelly when he took a trip to the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth after arriving in Cowtown.
“I’ve been all over the world, I’ve been to museums in Paris,” Kelly said. “[The Modern] was one of the most incredible museums I’ve ever been to in my life.”
Another Fort Worth highlight for Kelly came from his driver suggesting a sushi restaurant.
Kelly couldn’t recall what the sushi restaurant was called, but said it was located in a strip mall next to a vintage store. He also said the restaurant didn’t take reservations and had a large u-shaped table inside.
(Editor’s note: All signs seem to be pointing to Hatsuyuki Handroll Bar, which does not take reservations, has a large U-shaped table inside and is located in the same strip mall as Vagabond Vintage Clothing.)
“Unbelievable. The best [sushi] I’ve ever had,” Kelly said. “I went and was blown away.”
Overall, Kelly said his Fort Worth experience can be summed up in a few words.
“Cowboys and culture, buddy,” Kelly said.
‘Lioness’ star Genesis Rodriguez would love to live in Fort Worth
Genesis Rodriguez is new to the “Lioness” cast for season 2 and said she loved filming in Fort Worth.
“I miss it,” Rodriguez said. “I miss the gym, I miss everything about it.”
When the show wasn’t filming, Rodriguez said she and her co-stars spent a significant amount of time in the Stockyards.
Another highlight for Rodriguez was visiting Cherry Coffee, which she called her “favorite coffee shop.” Rodriguez likened the coffee shop as a second home to her while in Fort Worth.
“I honestly really loved getting to know Dallas-Fort Worth,” Rodriguez said. “I love it there, I would live there.”
“Lioness” season 2 is now streaming on Paramount+.
