Danny McBride (Vice Principals) and John Goodman (10 Cloverfield Lane, Roseanne) have been cast as the leads in a televangelist family comedy pilot ordered by HBO. The comedy was created by McBride who will also pen the script, executive produce and direct per The Hollywood Reporter.
The comedy tells the story of a world-famous televangelist family with a long tradition of deviance, greed and charitable work, all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
John Goodman is set to star as Eli Gemstone, the head of the Gemstone family. The character is described as unbending and a force in the ministry game. He’s known the world over for his aggressive salvation techniques, his worldwide ministries, and his award-winning weekly television program. His light is fading, but he takes no guff. He is obeyed, unquestioned.
Danny McBride will play Jesse Gemstone, the eldest son, and heir to the throne. He walks in his father's shadow while simultaneously blazing his own path. Like Eli, Jesse takes no shit and demands loyalty from those in his circle and surrounds himself with those that who follow him. Jesse fancies himself a maverick in the ministry game, utilizing what Eli has built, expanding it out for a modern audience.
Per Deadline, the Roseanne-less spinoff that came to life after it's lead (Roseanne Barr) led the slaughter to her own career with a racist tweet has Goodman on board but he's expected to film the HBO comedy pilot first and then quickly shift into Dan Conner for ABC's The Conners. If HBO orders The Righteous Gemstones to series, the plan is to film the comedy after The Conners wraps its first season, and as Deadline puts it, up to the Good Lord.
