In the first season, Eli's estranged brother-in-law, Baby Billy Freeman (Walton Goggins), is brought in to lead the Gemstones' new shopping-mall-based satellite church, which leads to a conflict with Rev. John Wesley Seasons (Dermot Mulroney) whose smaller, neighboring church is threatened. Concurrently, a trio of masked figures blackmail Jesse with a scandalous video documenting the lewd behavior of him and his best friends.
In the second season, Jesse and Amber partner with Texas megachurch leaders Lyle and Lindy Lissons (Eric André and Jessica Lowe) to develop a Christian timeshare resort. The family faces threats including investigative journalist Thaniel Block (Jason Schwartzman), an old friend from Eli's criminal past Junior (Eric Roberts), and a mysterious group of motorcycle-riding assassins.
Cast and characters
Main
Danny McBride as Jesse Gemstone, Eli's oldest son and associate pastor of the Gemstone Salvation Center. Although appearing to be a faithful father and husband, Jesse barely conceals a crude and arrogant personality and a debauched lifestyle, which he often partakes in with his "gang" of friends and subordinates.
John Goodman as Dr. Eli Gemstone, the patriarch of the Gemstone family and lead pastor of the Gemstone Salvation Center. Eli is a widower, having lost his wife, Aimee-Leigh, one year prior to the start of the series. Although not as openly greedy and vulgar as his children, Eli often prioritizes his own wealth and status ahead of spirituality.
Adam DeVine as Kelvin Gemstone, Eli's youngest son and youth pastor of the Gemstone Salvation Center. Kelvin strives to prove himself as a leader, despite his immaturity and impulsiveness. He shares his mansion with his recent convert and friend, Keefe Chambers.
Edi Patterson as Judy Gemstone, Eli's daughter. Judy, the middle child, often feels underestimated by her family and is prone to neurotic and psychopathic behavior.
Tony Cavalero as Keefe Chambers, a dim-witted ex-Satanist and roommate of Kelvin, who works security at the Gemstone's church. Keefe reveres Kelvin as a spiritual leader.
Cassidy Freeman as Amber Gemstone, Jesse's wife who projects the image of a supportive and loving spouse. She encourages Jesse's ambitions to take more control of the church while privately struggling with his negative qualities.
Skyler Gisondo as Gideon Gemstone, Jesse's oldest son, who moved to California to be a stunt performer, an act that Jesse considered to be a betrayal. Gideon is a skilled martial artist.
Walton Goggins as Baby Billy Freeman (season 1, recurring season 2), Eli's brother-in-law and brother of the deceased Aimee-Leigh Gemstone. A faded child star who was once part of a Gospel song-and-dance double-act with his sister, Baby Billy is a habitual liar whose financial dependence, bad influence on Jesse and Judy, and tendency to abandon his loved ones strained his relationship with the Gemstones. Baby Billy resides at Freeman's Gap, his and Aimee-Leigh's childhood home in the Appalachian Mountains, with his much younger wife Tiffany.
Gregory Alan Williams as Martin Imari, Eli's right-hand-man and the Gemstones' accountant who is often entrusted with cleaning up after the family's scandals.
Tim Baltz as Benjamin Jason "BJ" Barnes[7][8] Judy's sensitive and mediocre fiancé, and later, husband. He is often intimidated by Judy, although it's apparent that he really loves her. BJ works in an optometrist's office in a local grocery store.
Dermot Mulroney as Rev John Wesley Seasons (season 1), a pastor of a much smaller congregation, forced to compete with the Gemstones' new church in Locust Grove
Jennifer Nettles as Aimee-Leigh Gemstone, Eli's deceased wife and mother of Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin. Nettles portrays Aimee-Leigh in flashbacks.
Recurring
Jody Hill as Levi, a member of Jesse's "gang" and guitarist at the Gemstone Salvation Center
James DuMont as Chad, a member of Jesse's "gang" whose marriage falls apart after the revelation of his scandalous behavior.
Troy Anthony Hogan as Matthew, a member of Jesse's "gang"
Joe Jonas as himself, a co-investor in Zion's Landing
Wayne Duvall as Glendon Marsh Sr., a professional wrestling promoter and organized crime figure
Macaulay Culkin as Harmon Freeman, Baby Billy Freeman's estranged son from a previous marriage, whom he abandoned in 1993. Jeremy T. Thomas portrays a younger Harmon in flashbacks.
The Gemstones are a family of televangelists and megachurch pastors led by widowed patriarch Eli and his children, Jesse, Judy and Kelvin. Two masked individuals blackmail Jesse for a million dollars, threatening to release a video of him and his buddies engaged in lewd behavior at a private party. Reverend John Wesley Seasons confronts the Gemstones over their plans to expand into Locust Grove, which could put Seasons' smaller church out of business, but Eli coldly rejects any compromise. Suspecting Seasons is the blackmailer, Jesse and his gang attack Seasons at his home, but the plan goes awry when Seasons wounds one of Jesse's men with a shotgun, forcing them to flee. Jesse confesses his dilemma to Judy and Kelvin, and they agree to help, with Judy providing embezzled cash she hid in the church. At the planned exchange with the blackmailers in a deserted parking lot, Jesse argues with one of the masked men, which escalates into a fight. The Gemstone siblings flee in their vehicle, but accidentally strike the man. When the blackmailers' driver checks on the injured man, Jesse intentionally runs over the driver before escaping.
A third person is revealed to be in the blackmailers' van. The man, who was the originator of the criminal scheme, takes his wounded accomplices Scotty and Lucy to the hospital, before moving to a motel. Lucy eventually abandons them, and an angry Scotty fights with the third blackmailer, blaming him for the plan's failure. Realizing that a security camera filmed their encounter on the previous night, the Gemstone siblings plot to retrieve the footage, with Jesse sending his henchmen to strongarm a store owner. With the help of Kelvin's friend Keefe, they track the blackmailers to their motel, but the culprits have already left. The unnamed third blackmailer shows up at Jesse's mansion, where he is revealed to be Gideon, Jesse's estranged son.
Eli's estranged brother-in-law Baby Billy Freeman returns to the Gemstones' ministry to lead their new shopping-mall-based satellite church. Their plans are threatened when Reverend Seasons distributes pamphlets exposing the Gemstones' past scandals. Eli and Billy confront him at his church, which culminates in Eli shattering a church steeple window. After a heated argument, Billy quits his position and intends to return home. Gideon starts to reconcile with his family, but Jesse resents him for abandoning them to become a stuntman in Los Angeles. During a family dinner, tensions arise when Eli reveals that he knows his children view him in a negative light following his wife's death, Jesse's son Pontius makes rude remarks at his father, and Jesse expresses his anger at Gideon. After talking with his children, Eli decides to make amends with Billy. Billy and his much younger wife Tiffany are in the mall church when a gang sent by Seasons breaks in and vandalizes the sanctuary. Eli arrives and holds the gang at gunpoint, forcing them to flee naked through the mall to send a message to Seasons. Billy decides to stay with the family.
The wife of Jesse's friend Chad discovers compromising e-mails between her husband and Jesse. Kelvin and Keefe council the troubled teen daughter of a major donor. Gideon plans to steal from the church's vault. Driving back from smoothing things over with Chad's wife, Jesse spots the blackmailers' distinctive van. To his wife's horror, he causes them to roll the van. Jesse pursues them with a pistol, but the blackmailers escape without being recognized.
In a flashback to 1989, Eli's wife, Aimee-Leigh, announces she is pregnant for the third time. Her brother, "Baby" Billy Freeman had been planning a reunion tour for their childhood song and dance act, which Aimee-Leigh cancels due to her pregnancy. At Judy's birthday, an angry Billy gets young Jesse drunk and convinces him to fight with his father. When Aimee-Leigh confronts Billy about his behavior, Billy threatens to sell off pieces of the family farm, due to his financial hardships. Aimee-Leigh reluctantly agrees to do the tour, but quits in anger when she realizes Billy has already sold off parts of the land. Billy blames Eli and promises revenge.
Jesse and his siblings search the blackmailers' van, but are unable to come up with any clues. When Scotty calls to threaten Jesse, Jesse deduces the blackmailers have no power and declares their problems over. Judy, disgusted by how her father never lets her do any meaningful work, agrees to sing at Billy's church. She performs well, despite her father's warning that Billy is using her to get back at him. Scotty, posing as an old friend of Gideon's, cons his way onto the estate.
Eli asks Jesse to give the Easter sermon and for Judy and Billy to perform. Billy convinces Judy to sing at his mall church service instead, driving a wedge between her and her father. An egotistical Judy fights with her fiancé BJ, who breaks off their engagement. During the Easter service, Gideon confronts Scotty and backs out of their plan to steal the donation money. That night, Scotty takes Gideon, Jesse, and Eli hostage at gunpoint. He robs the church vault, leaving Jesse and Gideon tied up inside.
Billy and his wife Tiffany's car is struck by an escaping Scotty, who is knocked unconscious. They discover the stolen money and gun. When Scotty suddenly sits up, Tiffany panics and fatally shoots him. She and Billy flee town with the money. Gideon takes the blame for the robbery and is kicked out by his mother, Amber. Kelvin angrily kicks Keefe out of the compound. Judy attempts to reconcile with BJ, who refuses, causing her to angrily vandalize his coworker's car. She is arrested and bailed out by Eli. Jesse, guilt-ridden over Gideon, shows the sex tape to his wife and his friends' wives. Amber becomes enraged and shoots Jesse in the buttocks.
The Gemstone children confess everything to Eli, who fires them from the ministry. Amber insists that Jesse go to Haiti to retrieve Gideon who is there doing missionary work. Jesse tries to convince Gideon to return home, but he refuses. Judy and BJ reconcile. Kelvin rescues Keefe from his Satanic former friends. The siblings deduce that it was Billy who stole the money from Scotty's van after Kelvin finds the Jesus statue from Baby Billy's car at the site of Scotty's death. Along with Eli, they go to Billy's home to retrieve it. During the confrontation, Billy is struck by lightning, but survives. He claims to have spoken with Aimee-Leigh in Heaven, who asked him to forgive Eli. He returns the money. Eli hires Rev. Seasons to take over Billy's post at the mall church, while Billy becomes a tent evangelist, making money describing his near-death experience. Jesse, who was kicked out of his house by Amber, goes to Haiti and joins his son on his mission trip.
In 1968, a young Eli Gemstone works as a professional wrestler. Eli's employer, Glendon Marsh, and his son, Junior, agree to pay Eli extra to assault a man who owes Glen money. In the present day, Jesse and Gideon have returned to the US, with Jesse and Amber having reconciled and Gideon working as a videographer for the church. Judy and BJ have married, and Kelvin has started a Christian bodybuilders group. In the midst of multiple sex scandals rocking the megachurch world, Jesse and Amber are contacted by Lyle and Lindy Lissons, a Texan televangelist couple, to partner on a Christian resort called Zion's Landing. After touring the land, Eli refuses to lend his support, as it is too big a gamble during a volatile time for the church. After an argument with Jesse, Eli reluctantly allows for Jesse to go forward with the project. Eli is approached by Junior, and they reconnect before getting into a fight with a man in a restaurant parking lot.
Thaniel Block, an investigative reporter researching hypocrisy in religious circles, arrives and informs Eli that he is writing a story about Aimee-Leigh, due to past allegations of abusive behavior from the Gemstones' staff. Eli refuses to cooperate. Jesse and Amber attend a fundraising event for Zion's Landing, only to find that the initial investment buy-in is greater than they can afford. After Eli informs the family about Block's story, Jesse, Judy and Kelvin decide to confront Block at his rental cabin. When they arrive, they find multiple dead bodies, including Block. Fleeing the scene, they are met by Eli and Martin. Noticing Eli has blood on his clothes, the kids suspect he may be involved in Block's murder.
The Gemstones and Martin return to Thaniel's cabin, only to find it ablaze. Eli asks that the children keep their involvement with the situation to themselves, but, nevertheless, the Gemstones face public scrutiny for their proximity to Thaniel's death. The Gemstone children find circumstantial evidence regarding Eli and the night of Thaniel's death, as well as connections between Eli and Junior. They confront Eli, who asserts his innocence, claiming that the blood on his clothes was due to a grooming accident. Upset that their father might be starting to date other women, the children leave. Meanwhile, an accident involving Kelvin's "God Squad" leads to one of its members, Titus, challenging Kelvin's authority. When Eli attempts to break off his friendship with Junior, suspecting Junior may be involved in Block's murder, Junior claims he is now Eli's enemy.
In 1993, Baby Billy abandons his wife, Gloria, and son, Harmon, in a mall. In the present, the Gemstones throw an extravagant baptism service and afterparty for BJ, who has only agreed to undergo the sacrament to please Judy. Resentful that Eli has refused to enable the God Squad's trip to the Holy Land, Kelvin's anger simmers for much of the proceedings. Tensions arise between Judy, BJ, and BJ's agnostic family during the afterparty, causing BJ to lash out at his sister, KJ, which embarrasses Eli in front of his wealthy and important guests. Meanwhile, Baby Billy, whose music career is making a small comeback following his "miraculous experience," grows weary of a now-pregnant Tiffany, and leaves the afterparty without her. As Eli is leaving the party, he is confronted by Kelvin. Their argument soon becomes a physical altercation, leading to Eli breaking Kelvin's thumbs. Jesse and Amber commandeer Eli's party-bus in the ensuing chaos, only to be later assaulted by masked gunmen while at a gas station.
In December 1993, Eli wishes to expand operations despite public scrutiny over his ministry’s finances. Glendon Marsh Sr. reconnects with Eli, promising to give him $1 million in exchange for letting Marsh launder his money through the church. Despite protestations from Aimee-Leigh and Eli’s senile father, Roy, Eli considers Marsh’s offer, but ultimately declines. Meanwhile, Baby Billy spends the holidays with the Gemstones, having convinced them that Gloria is at fault for their failed marriage. However, on Christmas Day, Aimee-Leigh confronts Baby Billy, leading him to admit that he left his family because he feels inadequate as a husband and provider. Hoping to cheer Baby Billy up, Eli offers him a performance spot on their televised Christmas special, which Baby Billy accepts. During the special, Eli announces that the ministry will nevertheless be expanding into a bigger building, despite still not having a stable source of income. That night, Marsh arrives on the compound, threatening to harm Eli’s family if he doesn’t agree to Marsh’s proposal. Suddenly, Roy appears and kills Marsh with a shotgun. Eli and Martin dispose of the body and take Roy back to his mansion.
In the present, Junior, implied to suspect Eli's involvement in his father’s disappearance, plots his next move.
15
6
"Never Avenge Yourselves, but Leave It to the Wrath of God"
Jesse and Amber survive the attack at the gas station, with Amber returning fire and hitting one of the gunmen, whom Jesse dubs as "The Cycle Ninjas." Nevertheless, all the assassins flee. Amber is hailed as a hero by the congregation, which upsets Jesse. Kelvin has grown despondent following his embarrassing altercation with Eli. Keefe encourages him to re-establish dominance over the God Squad, but Kelvin fails to do so when one member, Torsten, challenges Kelvin for leadership of the group. Keefe, acting in Kelvin's stead, and Torsten compete in a contest of strength, which Keefe quickly loses. Torsten assumes the role of leader, and Kelvin is forced to do menial labor for the Squad. After a heartfelt conversation with BJ, Eli attempts to mend his relationship with Kelvin, but Kelvin refuses to engage, believing that Eli will never take him seriously. Meanwhile, Jesse forms a new men's group, hoping to use them as backup in an eventual confrontation with Junior. Jesse and the group do manage to find and threaten Junior, but he seems mostly unfazed by their warnings. Later, Eli is harassed and shot by the Cycle Ninjas, causing him to crash his car.
Eli is comatose and in critical condition following the Cycle Ninjas' attack. BJ, Judy and Tiffany track Baby Billy's recent credit card history, eventually finding him selling fraudulent supplements. Baby Billy claims to be raising money for his unborn son, and accuses Tiffany for not trusting him before abandoning her again. Meanwhile, Jesse confides with Martin that he fears Eli's eventual death or resignation, as he doesn't truly believe he is capable of leading the church. As Martin consoles him, the two begin to construct a plan of attack against the Cycle Ninjas. Eli is moved back to the compound, while the Gemstone children publicly disinform the congregation that he is still recovering in the hospital, hoping to lure the Cycle Ninjas into a trap. However, Jesse angrily dismisses his private security detail after a misunderstanding, leaving only himself, Martin, BJ and Gideon left to ensnare the Cycle Ninjas. The assassins arrive, and Jesse is able to incapacitate two, as Gideon pursues the others. As Gideon successfully runs the remaining assassins off the road, Eli wakes up from his coma.
In 1993, Glendon Marsh Sr. retires, allowing Junior to take over the business. However, as soon as Junior has proved himself capable of filling his father's shoes, Marsh Sr. robs him and skips town. In the present, Baby Billy decides to visit a now-grown Harmon, hoping to make amends for his absence as a father. Harmon is resistant to Baby Billy's efforts, but does accept punching Baby Billy in the face as an acceptable means of reconciliation. Meanwhile, a recovered Eli praises and thanks his family for their actions during his convalescence, which in turn prompts Kelvin to regain control of the God Squad (which he then disbands) and Judy to accept Tiffany as a member of the family. Eli also gives his blessing and financial support to Jesse to pursue Zion's Landing. Later, Eli confesses the truth about Marsh Sr. to his children, and tells them his plans to confront Junior in order to end the conflict. Despite the children's protests, Eli carries out his plan. After learning the truth, Junior forgives Eli, but tells him that he wasn't behind the Cycle Ninjas. Later that night, the Cycle Ninjas escape from jail.
In a flashback, Lyle Lissons feeds compromising information on other televangelists to Thaniel Block, in order to thin out competition. However, he refuses to divulge any information on the Gemstones, fearing it would put Zion’s Landing at risk. Frustrated, Thaniel threatens to expose Lyle next. Lyle and some associates attempt to intimidate Thaniel with grenades, leading Block to open fire on them. Gunfire and explosions ensue. Thaniel is killed by a ricocheting bullet, and two of Lissons’ men are killed in a grenade blast. Lissons hides as the Gemstones arrive on the scene, and later burns Thaniel’s cabin and his remaining associates to hide the evidence of his involvement.
In the present, the Gemstones attend the groundbreaking ceremony for Zion's Landing. Baby Billy arrives at the reception, hoping to repair his relationship with Tiffany. However, Tiffany gives birth to their son in a port-a-potty before she can give him an answer. During the reception, Eli receives a call from Junior, who has traced the Cycle Ninjas' weapons back to Lissons. Lyle privately confesses everything to Jesse, including that the Cycle Ninjas are teenagers from Lisson's orphanage. Lyle and Jesse fight on the beach before Lindy arrives, threatening the entire family at gunpoint. The Lissons successfully escape. One month later, the Gemstones have taken control of the Zion's Landing project. Tiffany and Baby Billy have reconciled, and Kelvin and Keefe have begun a youth fitness program. Martin hires the Cycle Ninjas, who are angered that they were never paid by Lyle, to track the Lissons to Alaska, where they kill Lindy and force Lyle into the tundra, where he freezes to death and is eaten by wolves.
On June 28, 2018, it was announced that HBO had given the production a pilot order. The episode was written and directed by Danny McBride who is also executive producer alongside Jody Hill and David Gordon Green.[33][34] On October 2, 2018, it was reported that HBO had given the production a series order.[35]
On July 1, 2019, it was announced that the series would premiere on August 18, 2019.[2] On September 9, 2019, the series was renewed for a second season.[3]
On January 25, 2022, HBO renewed the series for a third season.[5]
Writing
McBride has said he intends the series to run "longer than anything we've done before," including the four-season Eastbound & Down and the two-season Vice Principals. "If I had my way, when this is done, it's like this epic, sprawling tale, like the fucking Thorn Birdsor something," he told Polygon. "You’ll know everybody in this family, cousins, great uncles, all these people. In my eyes, this season is chapter one. It’s just setting the table for who all these people are and what's about to happen."[36] Like McBride's previous television characters, the Gemstones have "an inflated sense of self." McBride comments, "To me, the idea of a minister that sees themself as bigger than God just feels like the ultimate display of that."[37]
For the second season, Eli's backstory was inspired by the Dixie Mafia and the Memphisprofessional wrestling business, two subjects that have long fascinated McBride. He has stated that the Gemstones were originally inspired by Mafia families and that Eli's gangster background informs how the character runs his church in the present. He draws a parallel between wrestling and televangelism in that both businesses are built around "showmanship" and maintaining "kayfabe".[37]
Principal photography for the pilot was completed in August 2018 in Charleston, South Carolina at Citadel Mall.[42] The North Charleston Coliseum served as the interior of Gemstone Ministries, while a former Sears store at Citadel Mall was re-purposed into the Locust Grove Worship Center. (The new church being a former Sears was kept and referenced in the series). In April 2021, HBO confirmed the second season had gone into production,[43] having continued to film mainly in Charleston.[44] In September 2022, it was reported that production on the third season was shut down due to the landfall of Hurricane Ian in South Carolina.[45] Filming for the third season wrapped in December 2022.
Music
The series is composed by Joseph Stevens, who has collaborated with McBride on his previous television series. An original song "Misbehavin'" became a viral hit after its debut in the episode "Interlude". Performed by Jennifer Nettles and Walton Goggins as their characters Aimee-Leigh and Baby Billy, "Misbehavin'" is the fictional Freeman siblings' most popular song which they performed as children in the 1960s and reprised as adults in 1989. The song was written by McBride, co-star and co-writer Edi Patterson, and composer Stevens, who designed it to mimic a wholesome, old-time country song but with absurd lyrics such as "Runnin' through the house with a pickle in my mouth".[46]
Release
On December 24, 2018, a "first look" still image from the series was released featuring Danny McBride, John Goodman, and Adam DeVine as Jesse Gemstone, Eli Gemstone, and Kelvin Gemstone, respectively.[47] The series premiered on HBO on August 18, 2019. The second season premiered on January 9, 2022.
Home media
The first season was released on DVD, on April 14, 2020.[48]
Reception
Critical response
For the first season, the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 75% approval rating with an average rating of 7.1/10, based on 65 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads: "Though it may not win many new converts, fans of Danny McBride will find much to praise in The Righteous Gemstones's darkly hilarious pews."[49]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the season a score of 67 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[50]
For the second season, Rotten Tomatoes reported a 93% approval rating with an average rating of 7.4/10, based on 14 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads: "The Righteous Gemstones' second season can be as messy as its title characters, but it's hard to complain when the results are this uproariously funny.[51] Metacritic assigned the season a score of 83 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[52]
