Pierce Brosnan takes on a deeply personal challenge as the Irish-born lawman Gabriel Dove in The Unholy Trinity, a western directed by Richard Gray, opening June 13 across American theaters. Set in the rugged Montana town of Trinity, the film explores vengeance, justice, and the immigrant experience, with Brosnan’s new role reflecting his own heritage and career evolution.
Dark new arrivals and hidden motives in Trinity
The film introduces Henry Broadway, played by Brandon Lessard, who arrives in Trinity determined to fulfill a vow to avenge his father, a man wrongfully accused and executed. As Henry seeks the person responsible for framing his father, he immediately encounters suspicion and hostility. Sheriff Gabriel Dove, an upstanding Irish immigrant who enforces law and order, warns Henry,
“Let me give you a bit of advice: Keep your ancestry between us. Not every man who is known is loved.”
—Gabriel Dove, Sheriff
Henry quickly becomes entangled in the town‘s secrets. Samuel L. Jackson’s St. Christopher, a smooth-talking local, signals his own interests by revealing,
“I know your daddy real well,”
and reminiscing,
“Me and him stole enough gold to pave the streets of heaven.”
—St. Christopher, Trinity Resident. The search for hidden loot begins, with St. Christopher pressuring Henry by stating, “you will find that gold.” —St. Christopher, Trinity Resident
Sheriff Dove’s sense of duty and risk
Amidst these tensions, Sheriff Dove faces his own dilemmas. He protects Running Cub (Q’orianka Kilcher), a young Blackfoot woman wrongly accused of murdering the previous sheriff, sheltering her in secret on the dangerous outskirts of town. His commitment to justice challenges the anger of local vigilantes, risking his reputation and safety for what he believes is right.
Pierce Brosnan’s lifelong connection to westerns
Brosnan’s rapport with westerns began during his youth in Ireland, even though his family didn’t have a television. His earliest film memories were shaped in London cinemas with his mother and stepfather, Bill Carmichael, experiencing classics such as Goldfinger, Lawrence of Arabia, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. These movies introduced Brosnan to the western archetype—a solitary figure navigating uncharted territory, fighting for justice.
Reflecting on his eclectic career, Brosnan draws comparisons between his past roles, such as Mark Taffin in the eponymous film, and the classic western hero: the outsider who defends a community and then walks away, with integrity at the story’s core. His portrayal of a debt collector in Taffin saw him combatting unscrupulous industrialists on behalf of small-town residents.
Returning to the saddle for The Unholy Trinity
This is not Brosnan’s first venture into the genre. His previous experience riding horses in projects like Seraphim Falls and The Son prepared him for the demands of The Unholy Trinity, though his current off-screen hobbies lean more toward golf and paddle boarding than horseback riding. Brosnan prepared by arriving in Montana weeks before filming, finding the horse that best suited his character.
“Hey, I got to get back into the saddle here,”
—Pierce Brosnan, Actor. He immersed himself in the world of cowboys and horsemen, describing the exhilaration of working alongside his sons, Dylan and Paris, making the shoot feel like a family project.
The authenticity of Montana as the setting contributed to the immersive experience, with Brosnan expressing enthusiasm for finally visiting the state and sharing the journey with his family.
Why Pierce Brosnan chose The Unholy Trinity
Brosnan was immediately captivated by the script, reading it straight through and revisiting it for deeper insight. He contributed to shaping his character, naming him Gabriel in reference to the Archangel. The script’s complexity offered Brosnan the chance to explore themes of love, hardship, and resilience, set against the often-brutal frontier landscape.
Brosnan was drawn to Gabriel Dove’s Irish immigrant identity, which mirrored his own path.
“Yeah, I want to do this one,”
—Pierce Brosnan, Actor, expressing his instant connection to the role. He recalled his own journey emigrating to America in 1982, aided by English entrepreneur Freddie Laker’s budget airline, inspired by his late wife’s encouragement,
“You’ve got to go, you’ve got to go.”
—Brosnan’s Late Wife, Family Influencer. His first major role in America was Remington Steele, marking the beginning of his long list of screen successes.
Building the role of Gabriel Dove
Brosnan approached the character of Dove with an open mind and open heart. Supported by director Richie Gray and the collaborative atmosphere on set, he found the character developed naturally. The challenges came not from the role itself but from the demands of filmmaking, with Brosnan highlighting the efforts of the crew in crafting the western town and enduring unpredictable weather. He credits his sons, the director, and the on-set environment for enabling him to bring Dove to life.
Working alongside Samuel L. Jackson
“I’m a huge fan of Samuel’s work — his character, his voice. So yes, you have an actor who comes in, full guns blaring, blasting at you. His performance lends itself to the work you’ve done in your quiet way.”
—Pierce Brosnan, Actor. Sharing scenes with Samuel L. Jackson elevated Brosnan’s performance, with both actors challenging each other to reach greater heights. Brosnan notes the importance of mutual preparation, character research, and emotional investment, with Jackson’s presence pushing him to deliver his best as Sheriff Dove.
Contextualizing Brosnan’s evolving film career
Pierce Brosnan’s filmography is notable for its range, showcasing everything from television detective work in Remington Steele to the musical exuberance of Mamma Mia! and its sequel, through to high-stakes action in the James Bond series and recent roles like MobLand and The Son. His turn as Gabriel Dove in The Unholy Trinity taps deeply into his personal and professional history, weaving together themes of migration, belonging, and ethical resolve. In taking on an unvarnished Irish identity for his latest role, Brosnan connects his own experience as an immigrant with the broader story of America’s diverse cultural roots, shaped by Irish, Scottish, German, and Italian families seeking new beginnings.
The significance and future of The Unholy Trinity
The Unholy Trinity stands as a testament to Brosnan’s capacity for reinvention and personal storytelling within the framework of the classic western. His connection to the material, both as an Irishman and as an established Hollywood figure, lends authenticity to the film’s exploration of justice and identity on the American frontier. As the movie arrives in theaters nationwide, audiences can expect a compelling narrative led by Brosnan’s emotionally charged performance, supported by new generations of talent and co-stars like Samuel L. Jackson and Brandon Lessard. The film is poised to contribute to the ongoing revival of the western genre and to cement Brosnan’s status as a versatile and deeply committed actor.
