The fourth and final season of The Righteous Gemstones opened in unexpected fashion, leaving fans momentarily confused as the HBO comedy took a dramatic turn. Instead of reuniting with the dysfunctional televangelist family, audiences were introduced to a Civil War-era narrative led by Bradley Cooper in a role unlike anything the show had done before.
Titled Prelude, the season premiere steps back to 1862 and follows Elijah Gemstone, a crook-turned-preacher who finds himself in a Confederate unit after killing and impersonating a pastor. The episode, featuring graphic violence and historical drama, unfolds without a single appearance from the present-day Gemstone family, a bold creative risk for a show known for its ensemble cast.
Series creator Danny McBride acknowledged the challenge of introducing an entirely different setting and protagonist after a long break between seasons. “There are so many incredible actors here that the audience is showing up for, and to invite the audience back after the show’s been off for a little bit and to show up and not be any of these beautiful faces, it just had to be somebody who was more beautiful than all of us,” McBride joked.
Cooper’s casting came together quickly. McBride and his producing partner Brandon James discussed the need for someone with enough screen presence to carry the episode alone. “I think I just threw away, flippantly, somebody like Bradley Cooper,” McBride said. “And Brandon was like, well, we should just ask him.”
The script was sent, and Cooper responded immediately with interest. Though he had never seen The Righteous Gemstones before, he decided not to watch the show until filming was complete to avoid any influence on his performance. “Surprisingly, I think he feels like a Gemstone regardless of him not seeing you beforehand,” McBride added.
The episode sets up a thematic connection between Elijah and his modern-day descendants, reinforcing the show’s ongoing focus on faith, power, and corruption. McBride, who has long been interested in biblical storytelling, saw parallels in Elijah’s arc. “God is not known for picking the perfect person to deliver the message,” he said. “A lot of times, they will say stuff like, ‘He makes ready whoever is chosen.’” He noted that while the present-day Gemstones live lavishly, they genuinely believe in their message, even if they exploit it for personal gain.
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For cast members like Adam DeVine, who plays Kelvin Gemstone, the shift in focus was unexpected. “I couldn’t believe that we weren’t in the first episode,” he said. “And then when Danny told me they got Bradley Cooper, I’m like, maybe he does the rest of the season.”
Cooper’s role, however, was a one-time event, and the Gemstones return in the next episode.
The fourth and final season of The Righteous Gemstones airs Sundays at 10 PM on HBO and Max.
