Westerns are having a moment. Again. It feels like every few years, someone in Hollywood decides the genre is dead, only for a gritty, dust-covered epic to ride in and prove everybody wrong. This time, the buzz is all about Richard Gray’s upcoming film, and honestly, the cast of The Unholy Trinity is the primary reason people are actually paying attention. We aren't just talking about a few recognizable faces. We're talking about a lineup that feels like a deliberate collision between Old Hollywood gravitas and modern indie edge.
It’s a revenge story. Obviously. It’s set in 1870s Montana, which basically means lots of wide shots, harsh winters, and men looking intensely into the middle distance while holding heavy revolvers. But the chemistry of the actors involved—specifically the trio of Pierce Brosnan, Samuel L. Jackson, and Brandon Lessard—is what makes this more than just another genre piece.
You’ve got a former James Bond playing a man facing execution. You’ve got Jules Winnfield himself stepping into the boots of a frontier sheriff. It’s a weird, fascinating mix. Let’s get into who is actually in this thing and why the casting choices matter for the final product.
The Big Three: Who Leads the Cast of The Unholy Trinity?
At the center of this whole mess is Brandon Lessard. He plays Isaac Broadway. If you haven't followed Lessard's career closely, he's been a frequent collaborator with director Richard Gray, appearing in Murder at Yellowstone City. In this film, his character is on a mission from his father—a man played by Pierce Brosnan—to kill the person who framed him for a crime he didn't commit.
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Then there is Gabriel Sheridan. That’s Brosnan’s character.
Brosnan has been doing some of his best work lately by leaning into his age. He isn't trying to be the suave spy anymore. In the cast of The Unholy Trinity, he represents the catalyst. He’s the estranged father whose impending death sets the whole plot in motion. It's a role that requires a specific kind of "weathered" charisma.
But let’s be real. Most people are checking for Samuel L. Jackson.
Jackson plays St. Christopher. He’s the sheriff of Trinity, the town where Isaac winds up. Seeing Jackson in a Western is always a treat because he brings a rhythmic, almost Shakespearean quality to dialogue that can otherwise feel dry. In the 1870s Montana setting, his presence adds a layer of authority and unpredictability. You never quite know if he’s the hero or the person Isaac should be running from.
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Supporting Players and Familiar Faces
The depth of a Western usually lives or dies by its ensemble. You need people who look like they’ve actually spent time outdoors, not just in a makeup trailer.
- Ethan Peck: Known to many as the modern Spock in the Star Trek universe, Peck brings a very different energy here. He has a classical, stoic screen presence that fits the 19th-century aesthetic perfectly.
- Katrina Bowden: She plays Sarah. Bowden has been around—30 Rock fans remember her well—but she’s been carving out a space in more dramatic, atmospheric films recently.
- Veronica Ferres: A powerhouse in European cinema, her inclusion adds a bit of international prestige to the cast of The Unholy Trinity. She often plays characters with significant emotional weight, and her role here seems to lean into the harsh realities of frontier life.
There’s also Q'orianka Kilcher. She is incredible. If you saw her in The New World or Yellowstone, you know she commands every frame she’s in. Her involvement is a massive win for the production’s authenticity.
Rounding out the group are actors like Gianni Capaldi and Tim Robbins (not that Tim Robbins, though the confusion happens). This isn't a "shaky" cast. It’s a group of veterans who know how to handle the slow-burn pacing of a period drama.
Why This Specific Lineup Works
Hollywood casting can sometimes feel like a math equation. They throw a big name here and a rising star there to satisfy the algorithm. But with the cast of The Unholy Trinity, there’s a sense of intentionality.
Director Richard Gray filmed this at his ranch in Montana. That’s not a small detail. When actors are actually on location, dealing with real wind and real dirt, it changes the performance. You can see it in the early stills and behind-the-scenes glimpses. Brosnan looks genuinely haggard. Jackson looks imposing.
Lessard has the hardest job here. He has to hold his own against two of the biggest icons in cinema history. It’s a "passing of the torch" dynamic that mirrors the story itself—a son trying to live up to (or settle) his father’s legacy.
Dealing with the Western Genre Expectations
People expect certain things from a Western in 2026. They want grit. They want moral ambiguity. They definitely don't want the "white hat vs. black hat" simplicity of the 1950s.
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The cast of The Unholy Trinity suggests we’re getting the "Revisionist Western" treatment. These characters aren't clean. The sheriff isn't necessarily "good." The father isn't necessarily "innocent." By casting actors known for playing morally complex roles—Brosnan’s late-career pivot to darker characters and Jackson’s history with Tarantino—the film signals to the audience that they should expect a lot of grey areas.
Production Background and What to Expect
The film was shot under a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement during the strikes, which is how they managed to get it moving while everything else was stalled. It shows a certain level of scrappiness and dedication from the producers.
The cinematography is handled by Eric Koretz. If you’ve seen his work, you know he loves high contrast and natural light. This complements the cast’s performances by highlighting the lines in their faces and the isolation of the landscape.
When you look at the cast of The Unholy Trinity, you’re seeing a film that prioritized "screen presence" over "Instagram followers." That is becoming increasingly rare.
Real-World Takeaways for Moviegoers
If you’re planning on watching this, keep a few things in mind. First, pay attention to the dialogue between Jackson and Lessard. That’s where the meat of the movie likely sits. Second, watch Brosnan’s performance as a study in how an actor can reinvent themselves late in the game.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
- Watch the Predecessor: If you want to see how Richard Gray handles a Western ensemble, go back and watch Murder at Yellowstone City. It features several of the same cast members and gives you a feel for his visual style.
- Track the Release: Keep an eye on festival circuits. Films with this kind of pedigree often debut at places like Sundance or TIFF before hitting wide release.
- Follow the Cinematographer: Look up Eric Koretz’s previous work to understand the visual language he’s bringing to the Montana plains.
- Check the Official Socials: Production stills are the best way to see the costume design and the physical transformation of the cast of The Unholy Trinity before the trailer drops.