Danny McBride, a Georgia native, aims to challenge Hollywood’s stereotypes of the South through his HBO show, The Righteous Gemstones. The dark comedy centers on a dysfunctional family of rich televangelists, blending satire with nuanced portrayals of Southern life. McBride, who experienced typecast roles in Hollywood, wanted to depict a more diverse Southern community. Filmed mainly in Charleston, the show reflects his love for the South, combining humor and seriousness. He engaged with pastors for authenticity, avoiding caricaturing religion. As the series concluded, McBride felt an emotional farewell, reflecting on years of creativity and collaboration with his team.
McBride, a Georgia native, has witnessed how Hollywood often portrays stereotypes of the American South. His HBO series humorously critiques televangelists while respecting their beliefs.
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<p>Actor Danny McBride aims to clarify the misconceptions Hollywood has about the South. Hailing from Georgia, he attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem before finding his place in Hollywood.</p>
<p>McBride forged a career as a writer, actor, and producer, showcasing a keen sense of the absurd facets of masculinity and ambition. However, he realized he was frequently cast in narrow roles that leaned heavily on stereotypes.</p>
<p>"Every role I was getting was just somebody named, like 'Tater' or 'Dips***' and he never had sleeves," McBride reveals. "I was like, 'This isn't me, I can't do this.' ... We grew up in a South [with] lots of different types of people and it wasn't just one type of person."</p>
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<p>McBride's newest series, which he co-created and stars in, is <i>The Righteous Gemstones</i>, a satirical dark comedy featuring a family of affluent Southern televangelists. While they preach about salvation, the Gemstone family grapples with dysfunction, greed, and scandal. Much of the series was shot in Charleston, South Carolina, where McBride has established his own interpretation of Hollywood's South alongside longtime collaborators David Gordon Green and Jody Hill.</p>
<p><em>"</em>It's a tribute to where we grew up," McBride remarks about the series, which has just concluded its fourth and final season. "At times, we might poke fun at those stereotypes or embrace them when fitting. … We thought, 'If you're going to lampoon the South, there are more clever ways to do it than what's currently being done.' "</p>
<p>Although the series features a televangelist family, McBride clarifies that he didn't intend to mock organized religion. As part of his research, he consulted multiple pastors to understand the intricacies of how churches function. Later, one of them approached him.</p>
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<p>"There was one pastor I spoke to who was very candid about ... how things operated, and just a few months back I encountered him in town. He leaned in and whispered, 'Nobody knows I've seen it, but you nailed it,'" McBride shares.</p>
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<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1147x645+414+566/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcd%2F1a%2Fdbbd5a8244b0a468496d0ba51746%2Fadam-devine-danny-mcbride-edi-patterson-0.jpg"
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Adam DeVine, Danny McBride, and Edi Patterson portray siblings in <em>The Righteous Gemstones.</em>
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<h3 class="edTag">Interview Highlights</h3>
<p><strong>On the inspiration behind <em>The Righteous Gemstones</em></strong></p>
<p>I initially brainstormed a concept titled <em>The King is Dead</em>, centered on the summer of Elvis's passing, intertwined with a crime narrative surrounding the Dixie mafia. However, I struggled to find the right perspective...</p>
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<p>Upon moving to Charleston, South Carolina, in 2017, I began noticing the abundance of churches. This sparked memories of my childhood spent in church, leading me to contemplate the present state of religious institutions. As I researched further, I discovered the rise of megachurches occupying former retail spaces in the South, and I envisioned merging that story with the Dixie Mafia narrative.</p>
<p><strong>On the Gemstones coping with the loss of their matriarch</strong></p>
<p>Many may not relate to the experience of managing a mega church. So for me, it transformed into a family story dealing with loss—something universally relatable that allows characters to thrive in any setting.</p>
<p><strong>On casting John Goodman as Dr. Eli Gemstone, the family patriarch</strong></p>
<p>I grew up admiring him. Initially, the thought of casting him for Eli felt surreal—like, 'Really? John Goodman is going to work with us?' But after sending him the script, I found myself on a call with him, discussing the role. Looking back, it's hard to imagine anyone else in that part. He brings a grounded presence that makes the entire show feel genuine, suggesting that someone like him could realistically build this empire.</p>
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<p><strong>On concluding the show's final season</strong></p>
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<p>On the last day of filming, as we went through the scenes, it dawned on us, 'Oh wow, this might be the last time this character is seen onscreen.' It hit everyone hard.</p>
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<p class="byline">Danny McBride</p>
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<p>I was so focused on finishing the series that I didn't pause to reflect on its conclusion. But on that final day, the realization set in, and emotions ran high. We wrapped around 3 AM, and emotions were palpable—there wasn't a dry eye in the room; it felt surreal.</p>
<p>The next morning, I returned to the set, an old Sears building that served as our filming location, where we'd built all the different sets. After years of collaboration, seeing props and costumes stacked up felt haunting; it was as if something significant had been lost. I realized it was time for me to move on.</p>
<p><strong>On </strong><b>Kanye West</b><strong> (Ye) proposing McBride portray him in a biopic</strong></p>
<p>Initially, I found it challenging to accept that Kanye West was actually on the line. A few years ago, he reached out, expressing interest in meeting about a project, which led to a memorable day together in Charleston. During our time, he discussed a biopic about his life and suggested I portray him—an unexpected and flattering proposal.</p>
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<p>I recall during our conversation, he emphasized a sense of fearlessness and a willingness to embrace the unconventional. It was a very flattering day I’ll always cherish.</p>
<p><em>Ann Marie Baldonado and Anna Bauman produced and edited this interview for broadcast. Bridget Bentz, Molly Seavy-Nesper, and Ciera Crawford adapted it for the web.</em></p>