The Righteous Gemstones Final Season Launches Featuring Bradley Cooper

The fourth and final season of Danny McBride's comedy The Righteous Gemstones premiered with a unique Civil War-themed episode featuring Bradley Cooper as Elijah Gemstone, an ancestor of the main characters. The episode explores the dubious origins of the Gemstone family, showcasing Elijah's unscrupulous rise to power as a preacher during the conflict. McBride emphasized that the season aims to avoid formulaic storytelling, pushing creative boundaries while reflecting on the characters' flaws in a comedic light. Although Cooper had never seen the series prior to filming, his fresh perspective was beneficial, allowing him to avoid being influenced by existing character dynamics. The new season also focuses on the current Gemstone siblings as they confront their mother's death and navigate their personal growth, particularly highlighting Kelvin's journey in establishing a gay ministry. As the series concludes, it continues to blend humor with deeper themes, maintaining its critical take on megachurch culture.