Alright folks get ready to testify! The Righteous Gemstones are back for their fourth and final season and things are already getting gloriously weird and funny. But the biggest surprise? Bradley Cooper himself has joined the Gemstone family for the season premiere in a role nobody saw coming. Let's dive into all the divine details!
Bradley Cooper's Secret Gemstone Origin Story: From Hollywood Star to Confederate Preacher - Seriously!
So how did Bradley Cooper wind up in the world of televangelists? Turns out it was Danny McBride himself who pulled it off. McBride the creator star and writer of The Righteous Gemstones apparently just sent Cooper the script for the season 4 premiere and Cooper was in pretty quickly. Even cooler Cooper admitted he had never even watched The Righteous Gemstones before taking the role! He wanted to keep his performance fresh and not be influenced by the existing show's vibe which McBride actually appreciated.
Cooper isn't playing a modern-day Gemstone though. In a super unexpected move the season premiere is a standalone episode set way back during the Civil War. Cooper plays Elijah Gemstone who is like the ancestor of our favorite mega-church family. And Elijah is not exactly righteous when we first meet him. He is more of a con man who stumbles into becoming a preacher in the Confederate army mostly for the perks and to avoid getting shot. It's a totally different kind of role for Cooper and from early buzz it sounds like he nails it .
Final Season Alert: Expect the Unexpected and Maybe Even a Little Heart from the Gemstone Family
Danny McBride mentioned that going into this final season he wanted to "push ourselves to not fall into formula and routine." Starting the season with this Civil War prequel episode with Bradley Cooper is definitely not routine! It sounds like they are aiming to keep viewers surprised and guessing right to the end. The season is supposed to have a certain "unexpected intensity" according to McBride so buckle up .
Even though The Righteous Gemstones is known for being profane bonkers and satirical there's always been a surprisingly big heart at its core. The show is about a family after all even if they are a family of scheming televangelists. Critics are already praising Season 4 for maintaining that balance of outrageous humor with genuine emotion. It is a show that makes you laugh out loud but also maybe feel a little something for these deeply flawed but kinda lovable characters.
Baby Billy's "Teenjus" and Judy's Singing Career: What Else to Expect in Righteous Gemstones Season 4
Beyond the Cooper craziness Season 4 is diving deeper into the Gemstone kids and their, shall we say, unique pursuits. Jesse is trying to sell private "Prayer Pods" Judy is still chasing her music dreams while handling her marriage and Kelvin is leading his alternative Christian group Prism. Meanwhile patriarch Eli Gemstone played by the amazing John Goodman is off chilling on a sailboat in Florida which leaves the kids even more in charge and maybe even more lost.
And then there's Uncle Baby Billy played by the one and only Walton Goggins. Season 4 is apparently giving Goggins even more room to shine and that is saying something. Baby Billy's big project this season? "Teenjus" a young-adult TV drama about Jesus as a brooding teenager. Yep. You know it is going to be hilariously deranged and Goggins is expected to go full comedic force making it a highlight of the season. Get ready for more physical comedy incredible line delivery and pure Baby Billy madness.
Danny McBride on Saying Goodbye and Missing "Church Lunch" - Reflections on the Final Season
As The Righteous Gemstones nears its end Danny McBride is getting a bit reflective. He said writing the show has been amazing because the actors bring so much more dimension to the characters than he could have ever imagined. He loves working with such a talented group and is impressed by the "humanity" they bring to these "despicable characters."
What will McBride miss most? "Honestly just seeing all these faces every day" he admits. He calls working on the show "a beautiful job" and says he has made some "great friends." And yes he even says he will miss "church lunch" the cast lunches which sound like they were a blast. But don't worry McBride plans to keep working with some of these "cats" again in the future so maybe this isn't goodbye just "see you later" to the Gemstone family.
Key Things to Know About The Righteous Gemstones Season 4:
- Final Season: Season 4 is the last season of the show.
- Bradley Cooper Guest Stars: Cooper plays Elijah Gemstone in the season premiere a Civil War era ancestor.
- Origin Story Episode: The premiere is a standalone episode set in the 1860s exploring the Gemstone family origins.
- Focus on Gemstone Kids: Season 4 follows Jesse Judy and Kelvin taking over the family empire.
- Baby Billy's "Teenjus": Walton Goggins' Uncle Baby Billy has a hilarious subplot about creating a teen Jesus TV show.
- Premieres on HBO: Season 4 premiered on HBO on March 9 2025.
Get Ready to Laugh and Maybe Even Believe (a Little): The Righteous Gemstones Final Season is Here!
So there you have it. Bradley Cooper in a Civil War preacher robe Baby Billy making a teen Jesus drama the Gemstone kids still causing chaos and maybe just maybe a little bit of heart amidst all the satire. The Righteous Gemstones Season 4 is kicking off in a wildly unexpected way and it sounds like it is going to be a fittingly funny and maybe even surprisingly touching end to this unique and hilarious show. Time to get righteous!