Actor Danny McBride's televangelist comedy series The Righteous Gemstones premiered its fourth and final season on March 9. The nine-part season will close out the story that has received praise from McBride fans and more. The debut episode of the final season featured a guest appearance by Walking Dead actors Josh McDermitt, Lew Temple, and Ethan McDowell.
The series was created by McBride, who starred, wrote, directed, and also executive produced with Jody Hill and David Gordon Green. HBO ordered the pilot in 2018, and the series premiered in Aug. 2019. The final season began on March 19 and will air the series finale on HBO and Max on May 4.
The Righteous Gemstones chronicles the story of Dr. Elijah "Eli" Gemstone II (John Goodman) and his family of televangelists and megachurch pastors. The series focuses on Eli and his immature children, Jesse (McBride), Judy (Edi Patterson), and Kelvin (Adam DeVine), whose lives of luxury are funded by donations from their parishioners. Additional main cast members include Tony Cavalero, Cassidy Freeman, Gregory Alan Williams, Tim Baltz, Skyler Gisondo, Dermot Mulroney, Walton Goggins, Jennifer Nettles, and M. Emmet Walsh.
The season 4 opener, "Prelude," was directed by McBride, who wrote the episode with Jon Carcieri and Jeff Fradley. Fans were shocked to see a guest appearance by Bradley Cooper in the episode set in 1862 during the Civil War. Cooper portrays Elijah Gemstone, who pretends to be a military chaplain, a job he is paid for. This episode also featured Walking Dead actors Josh McDermitt, Lew Temple, and Ethan McDowell.
McDermitt portrayed Minister Abel Grieves. He is well known for his role in The Walking Dead as Eugene Porter and currently stars in the Suits sequel series Suits L.A. McDowell portrayed a Union military leader and is remembered for his role on TWD as Washington, a member of the Reapers. Temple portrayed Axel on TWD during season 3 and played a Confederate soldier in this episode of Righteous Gemstones.
McDowell and his wife Athena McDowell attended the Righteous Gemstones fourth season premiere.
Check out these stories and more on Undead Walking:
Follow Undead Walking on Twitter (X) and Facebook and sign up for the once-daily Undead Walking newsletter to avoid missing out on everything in The Walking Dead universe.