Morgan Freeman, the 89-year-old Academy Award-winning actor known for his distinctive voice and commanding screen presence, shows no signs of stepping back from his career. Currently reprising his role as U.S. Secretary of State Edwin Mullins in the third season of the espionage thriller “Lioness” on Paramount+, Freeman remains active in both film and music.

Despite widespread recognition of his resonant baritone, Freeman said he still struggles to grasp the fascination surrounding his voice. “I still haven’t [realized it],” he remarked when asked about the uniqueness of his vocal style. Freeman’s career did not gain momentum until he was in his 50s, and the impact of his voice has only grown since then.

“Lioness,” created by Taylor Sheridan, features Freeman alongside stars such as Zoe Saldaña and Nicole Kidman. Freeman praised Sheridan’s writing for its focus on the emotional realities of human experience, emphasizing the courage involved in portraying complex characters. He highlighted how the series addresses the difficult decisions faced by characters in high-stakes situations, particularly reflecting on Saldaña’s role as a woman balancing family and danger.

Freeman also addressed the trend of major film actors moving into episodic television. He noted that the rise of streaming platforms such as Warner Bros., Paramount, and Hulu has created more opportunities for compelling storytelling at home, leading more stars to opt for television projects over theatrical films.

In “Lioness,” Freeman’s scenes largely take place in a situation room, focusing on dialogue-driven tension. He described how the script’s emphasis on life-or-death decisions creates the dramatic intensity without requiring external action.

Beyond acting, Freeman remains deeply involved in preserving blues music, a genre he regards as essential to America’s cultural heritage and rooted in Black musical traditions. As a founder of a live blues club in Clarksdale, Mississippi, he is also producing and narrating an upcoming blues record. Freeman explained that his engagement with blues arose from necessity rather than longstanding passion, citing a lack of dedicated venues for the music in Clarksdale as a catalyst for his involvement.

When selecting roles, Freeman said that an appealing script is important but pragmatic considerations often come into play. “If they’re going to pay you enough, then you overlook some of the glitches in the script,” he said, noting that dialogue can usually be adjusted to suit his preferences.

Though approaching 90, Freeman expressed contentment with the breadth of his career and the roles he has played. He pointedly mentioned that roles he wished to take on are now being embraced by younger actors, referencing Denzel Washington as an example.

Freeman summed up his enduring drive to create by echoing a sentiment similar to that of Clint Eastwood: to resist the limitations of aging and continue working as long as possible. “If you can get out of bed and don’t fall down when you do it, then you just count your blessings and keep moving,” he said. “I’ll work as long as somebody says, ‘Do you want to do this part?’”