Hollywood star Bradley Cooper guest stars in The Righteous Gemstones final season, making a surprising appearance as Elijah Gemstone in the series‘ opening episode. The show‘s casting approach for its last season reflects a tradition of unexpected choices, adding intrigue and emotional complexity as the beloved HBO comedy concludes its run.
How Bradley Cooper Joined the Cast for the Final Season
The inspiration for Cooper’s casting echoes a well-known story in Hollywood: when director Martin Scorsese wanted a “Cybill Shepherd type” for his film Taxi Driver, Shepherd’s agent, Sue Mengers, put forward the actress herself for the role. In a similar move, The Righteous Gemstones casting department went high-profile with their search for Elijah Gemstone, introducing a Civil War-era drifter and con artist to kick off the show’s last chapter.
This new character, portrayed by Bradley Cooper, is believed to be an ancestor—possibly the great- or great-great-grandfather—of patriarch Eli Gemstone, played by John Goodman. Elijah’s appearance is limited to the season premiere in a flashback episode titled “Prelude,” with no scenes featuring the established cast members. Casting director Sherry Thomas described the process:
“We needed somebody who the audience would immediately connect to, and that they would want to watch while not missing and hoping and wondering, ‘What’s going on here and where’s [Danny McBride’s] Jesse?’”
—Sherry Thomas, Casting Director. Thomas continued,
“So we started with a list, and on that list was definitely Bradley Cooper.”
—Sherry Thomas, Casting Director.
Landing the Role: Behind the Scenes of the Casting Decision
Once Cooper received the script, he responded quickly, sealing the unusual casting win. Thomas shared,
“Bradley read the script really fast,”
—Sherry Thomas, Casting Director. She recalled the memorable moment of getting confirmation from series creator and star Danny McBride:
“And I remember getting a text from Danny and it said, ‘He’s in.’ And in the text back to him, I’m pretty sure my response was ‘Are you f–king kidding me?’”
—Sherry Thomas, Casting Director.
This high-profile addition fits into a longstanding pattern for The Righteous Gemstones, which often recruits guest actors from unconventional backgrounds. Over its run, the show has featured guest spots from unexpected personalities including Macaulay Culkin, Eric André, Steve Zahn, Marla Maples, and Joe Jonas playing himself for brief roles—a testament to the casting department’s commitment to surprise.
The Casting Process: Building Memorable Characters
Sherry Thomas explained that the show employs a flexible casting strategy.
“There was a really interesting balance of people that were offered a role (without an audition) and a lot of people that in other circumstances might be in that category but said, ‘I don’t care, I’ll read,’”
—Sherry Thomas, Casting Director. Thomas is recognized for her work on acclaimed series such as Breaking Bad, Dead to Me, Barry, and The Handmaid’s Tale, gathering nine Emmy nominations over the past decade.
Thomas noted,
“We start with an episode, and we determine what roles are likely going to come from Los Angeles or New York or what roles are probably going to be regional,”
—Sherry Thomas, Casting Director. She added,
“But we simultaneously look at those roles and determine the person for it that fits the role best.”
—Sherry Thomas, Casting Director.
Key Casting Choices in the Final Season
For the show’s concluding chapter, another significant guest role went to Megan Mullally, who plays Lori Milsap, a singer from Aimee-Leigh Gemstone’s (Jennifer Nettles) past who becomes involved with Eli. Thomas described the criteria:
“The conversation started with wanting an actress who could sing. And from there, you have to balance it with comedy. Then you have to balance it with somebody who is going to feel appropriate for Goodman so that it’s not ick. We always kept coming back to Megan, because it just felt right.”
—Sherry Thomas, Casting Director. This careful pairing illustrates how the show sought the perfect mix of chemistry, talent, and suitability for its ensemble.
Among Thomas’s personal highlights from her years on the series is the casting of Kristen Johnston as May-May, Eli’s younger sister introduced in the third season. Thomas reflected,
“That was an interesting part to navigate,”
—Sherry Thomas, Casting Director. She explained,
“We hadn’t seen her in a bit. There was such a heart and soul to her, a brokenness and a vulnerability. I don’t know that Kristen’s ever been able to show that side of herself as an actor.”
—Sherry Thomas, Casting Director.
The Lasting Impact of Exceptional Casting
As The Righteous Gemstones ends, Thomas feels satisfaction in the growing recognition for casting directors within the entertainment industry—including recent acknowledgment by the Oscars and Emmys. She emphasized the essential nature of casting:
“It just took time for whatever reason, right or wrong, but we are part of the process, and it is a skill set,”
—Sherry Thomas, Casting Director. She continued,
“We do advocate, we do fight, we do go the extra mile all the time where we’ll spend a half hour with an actor on an audition because we believe in them. It’s also cultivating those relationships over the years that you get to know an actor and the depth of their work and have the ability to champion and advocate for people and get them these jobs that are life-changing.”
—Sherry Thomas, Casting Director.
Bradley Cooper’s unexpected role in the final season stands as a fitting capstone for the show’s tradition of creative casting choices, spotlighting the importance of thoughtful casting in developing memorable television characters and powerful storytelling.
