Pierce Brosnan's 'The Son' also rises, on AMC

PASADENA, Calif. — Pierce Brosnan is set to become ABC's favorite Son.

The former Bond star returns to TV April 8 in AMC's The Son. Based on the sprawling epic novel by Philipp  Meyer, Son casts Brosnan as Eli McCullough, the unscrupulous founder of a Texas oil empire.

“I don’t think I’ve ever played a man as complex as this,” Brosnan told TV critics Saturday. “It’s just a magnificent, glorious character to play, and a real learning experience.”

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For some TV fans, Brosnan will always be known for the show that launched his career: the 1982 NBC hit Remington Steele. Television, obviously, has changed a great deal since then — for the better, in Brosnan's view.

"It's a different landscape than back when I joined TV back in the early '80s. It's a different beast. And consequently, it's exhilarating for the audience."

Brosnan says he's signed for three potential seasons of Son, something he was willing to do because the show is only planning to make 10  episodes a season, versus the old model of 22.  "I couldn't do that. I don't have the heart of the desire."

And if someone wanted to revive Steele? "That would be another man's job. I'm now into my graybeard acting stage."

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