Everyone knows that there's plenty of money to be made in the religion game. Hell, you need only look to the property owned by televangelist Joel Osteen for evidence that there's power in being a purveyor of the Lord's good word. But what happens when men and women of the cloth start pilfering from the collection plate and dipping into the coffers made fat by the generosity of those who choose to believe? These are questions you'll have to ask yourself when watching the new and official teaser trailer for HBO's THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES.
From the creative team behind such comedies as VICE PRINCIPALS and EASTBOUND AND DOWN comes a new comedy series that takes a dark glimpse into the lives of those who deceive their flock and live like royalty thanks to their trusting parishioners.
Directed, written and executive produced by Danny McBride, THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES stars John Goodman as Eli Gemstone, who has built a global following via his ministry and weekly TV show. Though he's no longer the force he once was, he still expects unquestioned loyalty. Starring alongside Goodman is McBride himself who plays Eli's eldest son, Jesse, who is said to be keeping one eye up above, and one on his father's lucrative throne. You see, Jesse believes that he can make some changes to the family business, changes that will see them lining their pockets with even more of their good parishioners hard-earned money.
Meanwhile, McBride won't be the only one getting in on the action. Edi Patterson (VICE PRINCIPALS, PARTNERS) and Adam Devine (WORKAHOLICS, MODERN FAMILY) will also star as Judy and Kelvin, Eli's other children, respectively. Cassidy Freeman (SMALLVILLE, DON'T LOOK BACK) will also board the comedy as Amber, Jesse's wife, who gave up a journalism career to devote herself to the church and her husband. Tony Cavalero (SCHOOL OF ROCK) is also signed to the series as Keefe Chambers, an ex-Satanist who was saved by Kelvin. Tim Baltz (SHRINK) will enter the church as BJ, Judy's fiance, and lastly, Gregory Alan Williams (REMEMBER THE TITANS, GREENLEAF) will play Martin Imari, Eli's trusted counsel. TOMB RAIDER and JUSTIFIED actor Walton Goggins will also have a recurring role on the new comedy as Baby Billy, a former child star who clogged and sang for Jesus. As an aging man, he’s fallen on hard times and comes to the Gemstones for salvation.
The series has McBride re-teaming with his Rough House Pictures partners Jody Hill and David Gordon Green, who just recently worked on the Netflix film THE LEGACY OF A WHITETAIL DEER HUNTER.
THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES will compel you to tune into its first episode on HBO this August.
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