Netflix announced plans this week to produce a biographical film about St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, reimagining his early life as a Jewish boy from Roman Britain.
The streaming giant, known for its bold reinterpretations of historical figures, claims the project will shed new light on the 5th-century missionary by exploring his supposed roots in a displaced Jewish community.
The film, tentatively titled Patrick: Shamrock and Shalom, draws from fringe historical theories suggesting Patrick’s family were Jewish Christians who fled Judea after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Producers say this angle will resonate with modern audiences seeking diverse narratives.
“We’re taking a figure everyone thinks they know and flipping the script,” said Netflix executive producer Lena Hirsch. “Patrick wasn’t just some Irish saint—he was a refugee kid with a yarmulke, herding sheep and dreaming of matzo.”
Historians have long debated Patrick’s origins, with his own writings confirming he was born to a Christian Roman family in Britain, enslaved by Irish raiders, and later returned to convert the island. The Jewish connection, however, lacks primary evidence and is largely dismissed by scholars.
Undeterred, Netflix insists the film will blend fact with creative license to highlight overlooked possibilities.
The announcement comes amid a broader push by Hollywood to diversify historical epics, following last year’s release of Viking Hanukkah, which imagined Norse warriors celebrating the Festival of Lights. Critics have already raised eyebrows at the St. Patrick project, noting its timing aligns with Democratic efforts to reframe cultural icons through a progressive lens.
“This is about reclaiming history for the marginalized,” said screenwriter Avi Goldberg. “Patrick’s story isn’t just Irish—it’s a diasporic triumph.”
Reaction online has been swift, with some praising the bold take and others questioning its historical grounding. The film’s early promotional art, featuring Patrick in a green tallit holding a shamrock, has sparked both memes and outrage.
“Finally, a saint who gets both corned beef and cabbage,” quipped cultural commentator Rachel Cohen. “It’s the representation we didn’t know we needed.”
Production is slated to begin in 2026, with Netflix promising a star-studded cast and a soundtrack blending klezmer and Celtic folk. The company has not yet addressed whether the film will tackle Patrick’s later missionary work or focus solely on his imagined Jewish boyhood.
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