Martin Scorsese’s Daughter Owns Up to Nepo Baby Privilege

Francesca Scorsese isn't pretending she stumbled into her latest gig by accident. In a new chat with Variety, Martin Scorsese's daughter talks plainly about the perks and the awkward parts of directing an episode of 'Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints,' the docudrama that's now streaming on Fox Nation. Unsurprisingly, her comments kicked up fresh debate on social media — partly because she says the quiet part out loud, and partly because of where the show lives.

'I got this because my dad was overseeing everything'

"I got this, obviously, because my dad was overseeing everything as the executive producer."
"I'm not going to deny anything. I'm honored to be given an opportunity like this, and I'm going to do my best."

That's Francesca on how the directing job came her way — no hedging, no dancing around the 'nepo baby' label. She was tapped to helm the series' final episode, which centers on Carlo Acutis, often called the 'Millennial Saint.'

So what is this series, exactly?

'Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints' is a docudrama executive-produced and narrated by Martin Scorsese. It traces the lives of major figures in Catholic history, and the Carlo Acutis chapter is the one Francesca directed.

The Fox Nation wrinkle

Here's the behind-the-scenes wrinkle that made some folks do a double take: the show is on Fox Nation, a platform with a right-leaning reputation. Francesca says she hesitated when the offer came in, partly because, politically, she and her dad are on the same page and she tends to follow his lead. In the end, she signed on because — as she explains it — Fox Nation was the only outlet that backed the project from the very beginning. As she puts it, "I think there's something to say about that."

Quick context

• Interview: Variety, where Francesca addresses the 'nepo baby' conversation head-on.
• Series: 'Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints' — executive-produced and narrated by Martin Scorsese.
• Where to watch: Now streaming on Fox Nation.
• Her episode: The finale, centered on Carlo Acutis, the 'Millennial Saint.'
• Why people are talking: She openly credits her dad for the opportunity and explains why she moved forward with Fox Nation despite initial political reservations.
• Aftermath: Her remarks sparked renewed social media debate.

Bottom line: Francesca isn't denying the door was open because of her last name — she's saying it out loud, defending the work itself, and acknowledging the platform choice was complicated but practical.