Behind the Scenes of ‘The Righteous Gemstones’ Season 4: Danny McBride’s Surprising Civil War Battle Cast Choice Revealed!

SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers for the Season 4 premiere of “The Righteous Gemstones,” now streaming on Max.

The season premiere of “The Righteous Gemstones” marks a significant shift. This HBO comedy follows a fictitious family of megachurch leaders in South Carolina, and creator Danny McBride had quite a challenge ahead. This time, the story dives into the past, over 150 years ago, for nearly 40 minutes, which is a departure from earlier episodes featuring familiar characters.

McBride shared his thoughts on the task of creating an episode without the regular cast. Fans eagerly awaited this new season, and he wanted to deliver something special. The team needed a guest star to portray Elijah Gemstone, a troubled character caught in the Civil War, embodying the family’s complex relationship with faith and hypocrisy.

McBride envisioned someone with charisma and a captivating presence. His dream choice? Bradley Cooper. Known for a mix of comedy and serious roles, Cooper’s involvement almost felt like a win for the show. Despite not having seen the series before reading the script for the episode titled “Prelude,” he agreed to take on the role, much to McBride’s delight.

In “Prelude,” Elijah’s journey quickly takes a dark turn. He visits a church run by Pastor Abel Grieves, who preaches about “state’s rights” while leveraging the war for donations. Unsurprisingly, Elijah doesn’t hold back; he critiques Abel’s morals, shoots him, and adopts a new identity under dubious circumstances—all while trying to survive the chaos of war.

Elijah isn’t a model of virtue. He drinks, gambles, and delivers sermons that lack genuine inspiration. His insincere advice to a dying man? “Go be with Him…well, I think that’s it, I guess!” It highlights Elijah’s flawed character, but Cooper’s performance adds a charming yet roguish aspect that makes him hard to dislike, despite his moral failings.

Producing “Prelude” wasn’t easy. The team needed to create the world around Elijah, complete with battles and camp life, all in under 10 days. McBride, having grown up immersed in Civil War history, always dreamed of bringing that era to screen. However, shooting outdoors in humid conditions posed significant challenges, but they managed to make the most of it.

In a show that has seen everything from musical numbers to motorcycle chases, “Prelude” takes things in a bold new direction. This season aims to surprise viewers, pushing creative boundaries with each episode. After all, this is the last first impression the show will make.

Elijah’s story takes another turn when he becomes a prisoner. Facing the Union soldiers, he does something new: he prays sincerely. In a twist of fate, a Union captain discovers his Bible and spares his life. Before leaving, Elijah shares a moment with soldiers facing execution, and his words resonate more than before. He reflects on the nature of killing and life, showing a shift in his character. That night, he opens the gilded Bible and begins to read, hinting at a potential change in his path.

“Prelude” serves as both an origin story for the Gemstone family and a glimpse into their conflicting values. It explores the struggle between greed and faith, a theme that has intrigued McBride and others from the start. This complicated mindset finds its roots on the battlefield, where the family’s legacy began—a legacy marked by sin and ambition.

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Bradley Cooper,Danny Mcbride,The Righteous Gemstones