What THE SAINTS Actor Hopes Viewers Take Away From His Episode

Published: November 21, 2025

By India McCarty

Actor Desmond Eastwood opened up about his experience playing St. Patrick in Fox Nation’s THE SAINTS.

“It was an honor and a privilege. What an incredible opportunity and an experience,” he said during an appearance on Fox’s AMERICA REPORTS. “To have someone of the caliber of Martin Scorsese [the series’ executive producer] involved, it’s pretty special.”

During an appearance on Fox’s THE BIG WEEKEND SHOW, Eastwood shared what he hopes viewers take away from his episode.

“I think the great story about St. Patrick and how universal it is, is ultimately it’s courage in the face of adversity and hardship and seeing him come from such pain and struggle and strife and turning that into something really positive,” the actor said. “I think everybody can take a leaf out of that book, for sure.”

Eastwood called the episode’s production “extraordinary,” adding, “There are so many talented people involved in this project…and you know, on a personal note, I was very lucky our episode got to shoot in Ireland which, you know, is quite unique throughout the series.”

Working on THE SAINTS was also a learning experience for the Irish actor.

“I did not know that Patrick was not born in Ireland,” Eastwood laughed. “I think it’s very easy to assume he was born in Ireland…he did not rid the snakes out of Ireland, which is more sort of an abstract idea, in terms of, like, ridding sin from the country.”

Eastwood added, “He had such a deep fire and desire to help others and share the word of God, but part of that journey to start off was to be more humble and really look internally.”

Eastwood’s episode is part of THE SAINTS’ second season. Season 1 was a huge hit with viewers, and series creator Matti Leshem told Forbes part of it was having the perfect partner in Fox.

“Fox Nation knew they were taking a risk, and they took it with remarkable faith,” he explained.

Leshem also praised Scorsese’s involvement, sharing, “Mr. Scorsese is one of the most learned and spiritually attuned people I’ve ever met…It was as if two people, working entirely independently, had arrived at the same impulse — and in meeting, that impulse came into focus.”

In a promotional video for the series, Scorsese said, “Starting when I was really young, I always wanted to make a film about the life of a saint. Now, my collaborators kind of found a way to tell the story about many saints. And I think each one of those stories is really great.”

Season 2 of THE SAINTS is currently available to stream on Fox Nation.

Questions or comments? Please write to us here.