Why did The Righteous Gemstones end after Season 4? Reasons explored

HBO's wacky comedy series The Righteous Gemstones concluded with an explosive Season 4 finale on May 4, 2025.

Created by Danny McBride, the comedy series debuted in 2019 and quickly became one of the most popular shows on the network. It follows a dysfunctional family of televangelists who run a megachurch.

The Righteous Gemstones stars McBride with Edi Patterson, Adam DeVine, Tony Cavalero, Walton Goggins and others in the titular roles. While it was hard for the fans and the cast to bid farewell to the series, creator Danny McBride felt that the story had reached its natural conclusion and this was the right moment to end it.

More on The Righteous Gemstones conclusion in our story.

Danny McBride deliberately concluded The Righteous Gemstones with Season 4

Given the popularity and hype of The Righteous Gemstones, HBO might have wanted the comedy series to continue, but creator McBride was certain that the fourth season would be the final one.

McBride always has a set vision for his shows and while it looked like his current comedy series would surpass Eastbound & Down, he deliberately ended it after four seasons. The creator felt like it was the right time and the characters had reached their natural conclusions, as he discussed with Variety:

“The Lord spoke to me and said it’s time to wrap this sucker up. The story this season made the themes, ideas, and characters in ‘The Righteous Gemstones’ feel whole and complete. I have loved every second of working with this team for the past eight years, and there are some incredible payoffs, twists, and turns in store over the course of this wild final season.”

While it was certainly difficult for the creator to bid farewell to the story and characters, he was happy with what his characters and story had achieved till Season 4.

What happened in The Righteous Gemstones Season 4 finale?

Season 4 saw natural conclusions to each character. The main highlight of the finale was the Gemstone siblings finally discovering their gold-plated Bible with Corey. After murdering his father in the penultimate episode and stealing the Bible, Corey shot (not fatally) at the siblings.

However, Jesse managed to take a fatal shot at him and the siblings later prayed for him as he took his final breath. The themes of forgiveness and redemption come full circle for the Gemstones siblings in the Season 4 finale, as McBride discussed with The Wrap:

“With all of the s–t that the Gemstone kids have done or been through, in that moment at the end they have to do what the job requires... They weirdly rise to that occasion, as strange as it is.”

Kelvin finally realizes that he is ready for marriage, after which he expresses his feelings to Keefe and the couple is married in the final moments. The siblings also apologise to Lori for sabotaging her relationship with Eli throughout the season and the finale suggests that the couple is finally headed to a romantic future.

Talking about the natural conclusion to his show, McBride added:

''It also creates an end to the story, in a way, and I feel like it’s better to leave things where you, as the viewer, can imagine that their lives continue. It lives on in your brain, in a way of like, ‘What happens next?’ or ‘What are they up to now?’”

The Righteous Gemstones Season 4 finale is now streaming on Max.

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