Actor reveals why playing St Patrick in Martin Scorsese's 'The Saints' is 'more important than ever'

Actor Desmond Eastwood takes audiences far beyond parades, shamrocks, and green-tinted celebrations in Fox Nation’s "The Saints" to share the true story of St. Patrick — one defined by hardship, conviction and unwavering faith.

"It was an honor and a privilege. What an incredible opportunity and an experience," Eastwood said Friday, reflecting on the role.

Ahead of the show’s second-season debut on Sunday, Eastwood joined Fox News’ Sandra Smith on "America Reports" to share what the role means to him and to reflect on the influence of legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese, who serves as executive producer.

"To have someone of the caliber of Martin Scorsese involved, it's pretty special," he said.

MARTIN SCORSESE EXPLORES THE LEGACY OF ST. PATRICK TO KICK OFF NEW SEASON OF FOX NATION’S ‘THE SAINTS’

The episode follows St. Patrick’s remarkable journey from his teenage years in Britain, where Irish raiders captured and enslaved him, to his eventual escape and return home. 

Years later, guided by faith, he chose to return to Ireland, dedicating his life to sharing Christianity with the people who had once held him captive.

Known today as the Apostle of Ireland, Patrick is credited with helping establish churches, schools and monasteries that laid the foundation for Ireland’s Christian heritage — a legacy that continues to inspire centuries later.

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Eastwood revealed that his audition for St. Patrick took place while he was traveling in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, a setting he joked might have helped him channel a more "earthy" and reflective quality for the fifth-century icon.

"I was actually in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco at the time," Eastwood said.

"I don’t know if auditioning with a slightly more mountainous, earthy quality helped, but maybe it did."

Eastwood said portraying such a towering historical figure was both humbling and deeply meaningful, particularly as a native of Ireland.

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"It's a great story of transformation and finding good through hardship and pain, which I think everyone can relate to and is probably more important than ever," he said.

Fox Nation subscribers can now stream St. Patrick's episode of "Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints."

FOX Nation programs are viewable on demand and from your mobile device app but only for FOX Nation subscribers. Go to FOX Nation to start a free trial and watch the extensive library from your favorite FOX Nation personalities.

Fox News' Benji Ferraro contributed to this report.

10-year-old boy among dead following NJ shooting that killed 2, injured 3

A 10-year-old boy and a 21-year-old woman were killed in a Saturday night shooting in Newark, N.J., that also injured three others, authorities said.

Police responded around 7 p.m. to reports of gunfire in the city’s South Ward and found five victims, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

The boy and woman were taken to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Their names have not been released.

The injured victims included an 11-year-old boy, a 19-year-old man, and a 60-year-old man. All were reported in stable condition. Authorities did not immediately release details about the nature of their injuries.

1 DEAD, 4 WOUNDED AFTER SHOOTING IN NEW YORK CITY, POLICE SAY

The circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation. No arrests had been made as of Sunday morning.

Gov. Phil Murphy said he had been briefed on the incident, posting on X: "Please pray for the victims and their families."

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Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka called the shooting "depraved and senseless," and "a dark and devastating day" for the city.

"We will not rest until there is justice for the parents and families left behind in unspeakable pain and grief," Baraka said in a statement. "Newark will work tirelessly with the prosecutor’s office, state law enforcement, and federal agencies to ensure justice is served. We urge the killer to turn himself in—there is no safe place to hide."

"Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this trauma," the statement continued. "Our prayers are with them—and our actions will support them."

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