SerpApi.Org
Pierce Brosnan will go down in history as one of the best James Bond performers to ever step into the shoes of the iconic 007. However, the former spy has spent the last few years building out a new portfolio, adding to an impressive filmography. From comedy roles in the likes of Mamma Mia! to mystery dramas with The Thursday Murder Club, Brosnan seems content taking on scripts that pique his interest.
Although Brosnan might always be known as Bond, that doesn't mean his career really got going just because he took on the part. In actuality, Brosnan was showcasing his talents in another much-loved '80s show, Remington Steele. One that certainly deserves a revisit today because it demonstrates Brosnan's ability to portray many of the famous spy's defining traits, even when he isn't starring in the classic franchise. Evidently, he was always destined for the Secret Service.
Remington Steele Allowed The Performer To Expand His Repertoire
In 1982, Remington Steele began airing worldwide, with NBC as the broadcaster. The show would prove to be a major success, running for 5 seasons until 1987.
It's an incredible achievement, and while it is available to watch on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV, it is not a show that seems to have had much longevity. Its cultural impact, strangely, is rather thin on the ground, with the concept blending in with other detective and mystery shows of the era. That's a great shame, as Remington Steele deserves so much more from contemporary audiences.
The series starred Pierce Brosnan as the titular hero, a mysterious man who has to think on his feet and play the role of the detective. He's joined by co-lead Stephanie Zimbalist, who plays Laura Holt, a private investigator who starts her own business and creates a fictional boss to prosper in the industry.
It is when the fake Steele steps onto the scene that the company finds further success, meaning the fates of both characters are intertwined as mysteries of the week present themselves. The format is certainly one that genre fans will be familiar with. The dynamic between the two leads is perhaps where this show really sings, though.
Not only are there gender politics at play, but with clients refusing to hire a woman unless Steele is also involved, the two share a romantic connection, all while a power struggle for the top job continues. It's a fascinating relationship and one that presents plenty of opportunities for humor, conflict and love-infused narrative sub-plots.
Remington Steele might have first earned momentum because of the power of those performances, but it was the concept that allowed it to endure. The show, like any of this era, went through an evolutionary process as cast members left, cancellation was imminent and ratings rose and fell.
Thankfully, Remington Steele endured due to the strength and quality of those scripts and the continued charm of its performers. It was evident that while Zimbalist brought a lot to the table, Brosnan was very much an unrefined gem, looking for a major breakthrough. The show helped him become a household name, and it wasn't long before the Irishman joined Her Majesty's Secret Service.
Brosnan Cemented His Legacy As Bond
One of the great shames of Brosnan's success as James Bond is that much of his work prior to that run had largely been forgotten. Despite the fact that there is a firm argument to be made that Remington Steele is one of the critical reasons he was cast as 007, audiences simply were not aware of that connection.
They certainly aren't today. That's largely because Remington Steele didn't have a large British following compared to classic BBC dramas. While there was a cult fanbase, it wasn't large enough for mainstream audiences to make the connection between the series and Bond.
Nonetheless, Brosnan never looked back, presenting a James Bond that was charismatic, firm in the face of fire and endlessly charming. There are many who would suggest that Brosnan is the greatest Bond of all time, because of the effortless way he portrayed so many of the most critical traits.
He was a brilliant action hero, but more so, he was the leading man that the saga needed. He had such big, gadget-infused shoes to fill, and yet he took that responsibility in his stride, delivering four James Bond films. That era of Bond is often considered a transitional period, helping modernize the franchise as it evolved from one millennium to the next.
Brosnan was likely the only candidate who could guide that period of change, as he had ample experience doing so. Remington Steele was about constant evolution, and yet Brosnan managed to keep up with changing cast members, ensemble dynamics and tonal shifts. It feels as though that was just the warm-up act for what the British series demanded of its star.
There is another easy comparison to make between the two brands. In both instances, Brosnan was put at the heart of a mystery. In Remington Steele, he was very much an inexperienced detective, finding his feet as cases presented themselves. As James Bond, he was forced to serve as a voice of control and knowledge as he navigated stressful situations where a single decision could mean life or death.
Nonetheless, he still had to investigate and explore the mysteries before him; the structure of the missions was not dissimilar to the basic foundations of his prior cases.
The Show Arguably Allowed Him To Show Off More 007 Traits
The funny thing about Remington Steele is that it probably showcased the best of what Brosnan could bring as James Bond. That's because the pressure of the franchise wasn't weighing on the performer's shoulders.
While the scripts were lower-stakes and the narrative energy was in a different league, Remington Steele was still able to bring out the best in Brosnan as he tackled a character with a couple more layers. In James Bond, Brosnan is playing a man who has seen and done it all.
James Bond is a spy who is still young and has yet to peak. But he has been through enough missions to know exactly what to do. He's suave and strong-willed and doesn't back down from a challenge. While that allows him to create that charismatic edge that the character needs, it also removes some of the grit from who Bond is. He has plot armor throughout and years of experience to rely upon.
In Remington Steele, by comparison, Brosnan is playing a detective who doesn't know what he's doing, which adds further depth. That's where that cheeky charm, good humor and star persona really shine through. The romantic chemistry Brosnan displays is better than anything seen in Bond, and he is allowed to showcase his comedic timing in a way the spy franchise simply wouldn't allow.
There are just fewer limitations placed upon the performance powerhouse. While the '80s detective show might not be as expensive or as successful as James Bond, it nonetheless gave Brosnan a platform to be slick and calculating, yet bumbling all at the same time. That performance alone outshines anything he was doing as James Bond, because somehow, it just feels more real.
There are undoubtedly lessons that Brosnan learned on this series that he applied to his time with the British jewel in the crown. Without false detective Remington Steele, 007 himself simply wouldn't be quite as refined.
