Zoe Saldana on ‘from Scratch’ and Reese Witherspoon (Exclusive)

Star Zoe Saldana discusses how the new Netflix romantic drama series, From Scratch, is based on a true narrative of love, sorrow, healing, and self-discovery.

At a special screening of From Scratch, based on the memoir of the same name by Tembi Locke, in Los Angeles on Monday, Saldana chatted with ET’s Cassie DiLaura about the beautiful and emotional difficulty of appearing in the production.

That “their fate was not what everybody was hoping for,” Saldana said, “is something you do know that you’re coming into a scenario where you know.” “But then you meet someone like Tembi Locke, who is the most optimistic person — just like a ray of light — who has really set the tone for what it means to start over. Whether you’re beginning life anew in a foreign land, a new marriage, a new love, a major life move, or an exciting new adventure.

She wrote a memoir that “was just so honestly true” and “really talked about how complex sorrow can be,” Saldana said through tears. The general public does not engage in open dialogue about death and mourning.

Zoe Saldana on 'from Scratch' and Reese Witherspoon (Exclusive)

Saldana has stated that producer Reese Witherspoon’s faith in her “means everything” because she was Witherspoon’s “go-to pick” for the role throughout the casting.

“What Reese is doing right now for women in Hollywood — and for women in literature and for women authors, women producers, and actresses — is absolutely fantastic,” Saldana said. Because “she is a woman of her word and she is leading the road for so many of us and delivering such beautiful stories,” “of course” when she phones and “I will leap.”

Witherspoon spoke to ET at the screening, and she gushed about Saldana and her performance in the film.

Witherspoon gushed, “It’s absolutely stunning to see her in a contemporary piece, as a modern woman, a mother, and this woman who looks for the beauty in life.” She really played it well, in my opinion. In my opinion, the audience will instantly connect with these personalities and enjoy being immersed in this universe.

In addition, “I believe we just need more romance in the world right now,” Witherspoon said.