Hollywood star Bradley Cooper has officially joined The Righteous Gemstones for its upcoming fourth and final season, adding another big name to the already star-studded HBO series. Cooper reunites with Danny McBride after previously co-starring in the 2015 film Aloha, alongside Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, Bill Murray, and John Krasinski.
McBride, who created and stars in The Righteous Gemstones, revealed that Cooper had been a longtime fan of the show and personally reached out to be involved. Known for his ability to seamlessly shift between comedy and drama, Cooper’s addition is expected to bring an exciting new layer to the televangelist saga.
A Look at The Righteous Gemstones and Its Star-Studded Cast
The HBO comedy-drama, which also stars Adam DeVine and John Goodman, follows the lives of the Gemstone family—wealthy televangelists who have built an empire around their megachurch. However, their greed, scandals, and dysfunctional relationships frequently put their religious empire at risk.
With its mix of dark humor, satire, and family drama, The Righteous Gemstones has developed a loyal fanbase since its premiere in 2019. McBride acknowledged that the show has always encouraged viewers to “expect the unexpected,” and he promises that the final season will deliver surprises right from the first episode.
A Bold Start to the Final Season
McBride teased that the first episode of the new season will set a different tone, exploring the origins of the Gemstone empire by taking viewers back in time.
“That was part of it as we were going for this last season — I wanted to push ourselves to not fall into formula and routine,” McBride explained. “There was something interesting about starting this season with something that goes so far back in time and shows you a glimpse of maybe how it all began.”
With Cooper portraying Elijah Gemstone, a Civil War-era ancestor of the family, the series is set to dive deep into the family’s legacy and how their religious empire was first established.
McBride Reflects on the Journey
As The Righteous Gemstones prepares for its final chapter, McBride has been reflecting on what it has meant to write and work on the series.
“When you're working with a group that's as talented as this and these characters that these actors have brought to life, they have far more dimension than anything I could have ever imagined sitting in my room by myself,” McBride shared. “Part of the trick of writing this is steering it in the direction you imagine, but then also looking around you and taking advantage of everything else that everyone’s brought to this.”
He also praised the cast for adding depth to the characters, particularly in making the often corrupt televangelists feel human despite their flaws.
“The cast surprised me with the ‘humanity’ they brought to ‘these kinds of despicable characters,’” McBride added.
An Emotional Goodbye to The Righteous Gemstones
As the show nears its conclusion, McBride admits that saying goodbye won’t be easy.
“What I’ll miss most is honestly just seeing all these faces every day,” he said. “This was a beautiful job. It was a lot of fun. I had a blast doing it, and I really made some great friends on this thing.”
McBride even reminisced about the simple joys of being on set, joking, “I mean, some of these people that we work with are just so kind and so talented and so much fun that, yeah, I'll miss church lunch. Those days were always a lot of fun, but I'll make sure that I stay working with some of these cats again. Absolutely.”
Fan Reactions and Theories
News of Bradley Cooper joining The Righteous Gemstones has sparked major excitement among fans. Before the official announcement, some fans speculated about Cooper’s involvement when he was spotted wearing a “Baby Billy’s Bible Bonkers” T-shirt, a reference to Walton Goggins’ eccentric character on the show.
Now that his role is confirmed, fans have taken to social media to share their enthusiasm:
- "Bradley Cooper in The Righteous Gemstones?? Didn’t have that on my 2025 bingo card, but I’m here for it!"
- "This is such a wild casting choice, but it makes so much sense. He’s going to kill it as a Gemstone ancestor."
- "McBride never misses when it comes to unexpected casting. First Walton Goggins, now Bradley Cooper? Let’s go!"
Early reviews suggest that Cooper’s portrayal of Elijah Gemstone is both captivating and complex. His character, a swindler who transforms into a preacher during the Civil War, is expected to add another layer of intrigue to the Gemstone family’s history. Critics have already applauded Cooper for blending charm with ruthlessness—two essential traits of any Gemstone patriarch.
What’s Next?
With The Righteous Gemstones returning in May for its final season, fans are eagerly anticipating how the Gemstone empire will wrap up its story—and how Bradley Cooper’s character will fit into the mix.
With McBride promising a season filled with unexpected twists, intense storytelling, and a fitting sendoff for the fan-favorite characters, the final episodes of The Righteous Gemstones are shaping up to be a must-watch event.