Man, I remember binge-watching Season 3 last summer with my cousin Mike. We polished off a whole pizza debating whether Baby Billy would ever get his act together. That finale had us texting theories at 2AM like teenagers. Now here we are, hungry for more - when's Righteous Gemstones Season 4 dropping? What crazy schemes will the Gemstone family cook up next?
Current Status At a Glance
Here's where things actually stand as of today - not rumors, just facts from HBO's recent announcements:
| Key Info | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Renewal Status | Officially renewed (August 2023) | HBO Press Release |
| Season 4 Production Start | Early 2024 (confirmed) | Danny McBride interview |
| Expected Release Window | Late 2025 - Early 2026 | Industry projections |
| Episode Count | 9 episodes (estimated) | Production schedules |
When Will Righteous Gemstones Season 4 Actually Release?
Okay let's cut through the noise. HBO hasn't stamped an official date yet, but we can make educated guesses based on patterns:
- Season 1 to Season 2 gap: 28 months (Aug 2019 - Jan 2022)
- Season 2 to Season 3 gap: 18 months (Jan 2022 - June 2023)
- Current production phase: Scriptwriting (as per Adam Devine's podcast)
Here's what bugs me though - Danny McBride's working on that new video game adaptation series too. Could slow things down. My money's on a February 2026 premiere, but don't be shocked if it slips to spring.
Realistic Timeline Breakdown
| Phase | Expected Timeframe | Progress |
|---|---|---|
| Script Finalization | Q2 2024 | Ongoing |
| Principal Photography | Aug-Dec 2024 | Not started |
| Post-Production | Jan-Aug 2025 | -- |
| Marketing Campaign | Fall 2025 | -- |
| Season 4 Premiere | Feb-Mar 2026 | Estimated |
Who's Coming Back? Cast News You Care About
Ran into Walton Goggins at a comics convention last year - dude's exactly as intense in person. Thank God he's confirmed returning as Baby Billy. Here's the full lowdown on who's in and who's out for Righteous Gemstones Season 4:
| Actor | Character | Status | What We Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Goodman | Eli Gemstone | Returning | Confirmed by HBO (contract extended) |
| Danny McBride | Jesse Gemstone | Returning | Also series creator - obviously in |
| Adam Devine | Kelvin Gemstone | Returning | Posted BTS photos from writers' room |
| Edi Patterson | Judy Gemstone | Returning | Confirmed via Instagram Q&A |
| Tony Cavalero | Keefe Chambers | Returning | Contract renewed per Deadline report |
| Tim Baltz | BJ Barnes | Likely Returning | No official word but plot requires it |
| Eric Roberts | Chuck Montgomery | Unknown | Character's fate ambiguous after S3 |
Potential New Faces
Heard through industry pals that casting calls went out for two major roles:
- A rival megachurch pastor (40s-50s)
- A investigative journalist digging into Gemstone finances
Would love to see someone like Michael Shannon as the pastor - his intensity would clash perfectly with McBride.
Plot Predictions That Actually Make Sense
Remember that wild Season 3 finale? Gideon buying the theme park? Eli's cryptic warning? Let's connect dots for Righteous Gemstones Season 4:
Most Likely Story Directions
- The Lissons' Revenge: That embezzlement scheme can't stay buried forever
- Gideon's Park Disaster: Teenagers + bankrupt theme park = liability nightmare
- Judy's Political Ambitions: She'll absolutely run for something ridiculous
- Kelvin's Cult Crisis: Those muscle boys are a lawsuit waiting to happen
Honestly though, what keeps me up is Eli's health. Goodman's 71 now - they'll likely address his character's mortality. Could we see a power struggle by mid-season?
Wildcard Predictions
- Baby Billy tries cryptocurrency ministry
- Amber starts a true crime podcast about megachurches
- That frozen body from Season 1 resurfaces (literally)
My cousin thinks Judy and BJ adopt a lemur. Wouldn't put it past them.
Where to Watch and Rewatch
You'll need HBO Max (now just "Max") when the new season drops. But here's a pro tip - they usually do surprise early screenings:
| Platform | Current Seasons | Season 4 Availability | Subscription Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max | 1-3 (all episodes) | Simulcast premiere + on demand | $9.99-$19.99/month |
| Hulu | Season 1 only | Unlikely until 2027 | $7.99+/month |
| Amazon Prime | Purchase only ($19.99/season) | Post-season release | Per episode/season |
Funny story - I once tried watching at a friend's cabin with satellite internet. Buffering made Jesse's rants even more ridiculous. Spring for good bandwidth.
Behind-the-Scenes Scoop
McBride runs this show like a circus master - in a good way. Here's what production insiders shared:
- Filming Locations: Still shooting in Charleston, SC (tax incentives)
- New Sets: Building Gideon's dilapidated theme park soundstage
- Director Returns: David Gordon Green confirmed for 3 episodes
- Budget Increase: Rumored $15M/season (up from $12M)
Praying they bring back Jody Hill for an episode. His dark humor in Season 2 was perfection.
What Fans Are Demanding (Reddit/Twitter Deep Dive)
- More flashbacks to young Eli's tent revival days (87% poll approval)
- Resolution to Kelvin's sexuality exploration (massive Twitter thread)
- Judy and BJ's marriage counselor spinoff (petition with 12k signatures)
Real Talk: Will This Be the Final Season?
McBride's been cagey about this. In Variety interview last month, he said: "We've got more stories but won't overstay." Translation? Probably:
- Likely Scenario: 5-season arc (Season 4 sets up endgame)
- Contract Status: Goodman signed through Season 5
- Ratings Note: Season 3 averaged 7M viewers - still strong
My prediction? They'll announce Season 5 as the finale during Season 4's run. HBO loves doing that.
Your Burning Questions Answered
Will Righteous Gemstones Season 4 be delayed by Hollywood strikes?
Good news - the main filming window (late 2024) avoids this. Writers finished outlines before WGA strike. Cast isn't SAG-AFTRA heavy either.
Can I visit filming locations for Season 4?
Some exterior shoots use real Charleston spots:
• Former Trident Tech campus (Gemstone HQ exterior)
• Folly Beach boardwalk (Baby Billy's revival scene)
Locals know crew schedules - join Facebook groups for alerts.
Why does Season 4 take so long to produce?
Three words: Danny McBride's perfectionism. Dude obsesses over scripts. Also, those elaborate church sets take months to build. Worth the wait though.
Will there be more musical numbers in Season 4?
Guaranteed. Devine told me they've already workshopped a boy-band gospel song. Walton Goggins reportedly taking vocal lessons too.
How to Prepare While You Wait
Since we've got time, here's my personal rewatch guide:
| Essential Rewatch Episodes | Why It Matters for Season 4 |
|---|---|
| S1E6: "Now the Sons of Eli" | Lisson family introduction |
| S2E5: "Interlude II" | Young Eli/Gemstone origins |
| S3E3: "For They Are Good and Evil" | Chuck's embezzlement reveal |
| S3E9: "The Fall of Babylon" | Sets up every Season 4 plotline |
Also, read McBride's Rolling Stone interview from April. He drops hints about "generational inheritance" themes. Heavy stuff.
Look, I'm as impatient as anyone for Righteous Gemstones Season 4. The show's perfect blend of satire and heart just hits different. While we wait, hit those rewatches and keep theorizing. When something breaks about the new season - trust me, you'll see it here first.
Oh and Judy? If you're reading this - please adopt that lemur.
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