Zoe Saldaña set herself a “mission” to help Lioness Genesis Rodriguez “shine” (exclusive)

Zoe Saldaña it’s all about empowering others.

lioness returned for Season 2 last weekend starring Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman and Morgan Freeman. New cast member Genesis Rodriguez was also welcomed to the ranks, making her debut as Captain Josephine Carrillo, or “Josie,” a hardened helicopter pilot with a mysterious past.

While Josie and Saldaña’s character, Jo, are initially at odds with each other, the actresses have a friendly relationship in real life. This is partly due to Saldana’s long-standing, deeply rooted work philosophy.

“I consider it my mission to just genuinely root for people,” Saldaña, 46, tells PEOPLE. “There is a place for each one shine. And the level of support I love to provide to my colleagues, co-workers and superiors, you do. Because you know if you do, they’re going to pay it forward and you’re going to get it at the hardest times.”

Rodriguez, for her part, admits she’s been a Saldana “fan” for “so long.”

“One time we ran into each other … it wasn’t that she even knew who I was — she recognized my dad,” says Rodriguez, 37, referring to singer Jose Luis Rodriguez. “They had a really sweet moment and my dad said, ‘That’s my daughter.’ He introduced me. And then after that we had another meeting and I just said, “I hope I get to work with you one day.” This is really my big dream.” And we demonstrated it.”

Working on the show as a whole was something of a dream come true for Rodriguez, who previously starred in The Umbrella Academy, Identity Thief and voiced by Honey Lemon Great hero 6.

Some actors may seek solo time when the cameras stop, but Rodriguez admits that lioness costars spent a lot of time together. “What’s great about this cast is that we hang out every weekend — every weekend — and that’s unusual for any work,” the actress explains.

“Imagine that you go to work and do not want to see your colleagues. But here I just wanted to be with them all the time, saying, “Where are we going?” Are we going to the pool? Shall we go to this barbecue?” she continues. “It’s always nerve-wracking to join a new group of people you don’t know, but this really is the best cast and I’m very lucky.”

In addition to Saldaña, Kidman, Freeman and Rodriguez, lioness Starring: Michael Kelly, Leisla De Oliveira, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, Jennifer Ale, James Jordan, Austin Hebert, Jonah Wharton, Bruce McGill and Ted Luckinbeal.

Saldaña, Kidman and Wagner also serve as executive producers along with the creator Taylor SheridanDavid K. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yary, David Hutkin, David Lemanovich, Geyer Kosinski, Michael Friedman, and Keith Cox.

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New series lioness reset Sunday on Paramount+.