7 Years Later, Walton Goggins’ Hilarious Comedy Series Is Still the Perfect Binge

Published Oct 3, 2026, 4:34 PM EDT

Abby Jackam is a contributer for Collider and ShowSnob, a media journalist for Trill Mag, and an aspiring novelist. She graduated Washington State University Vancouver in 2025 with a Bachelor's degree in Humanities. 

Whenever she can, Abby is writing. From research papers to book reviews, Abby's passion lies in storytelling and literary pursuits. 

An actor truly gets to display their talent when they're able to disappear into a role. When a recognized face can transform into a new person, it's an extraordinary thing to witness. In comedy, actors are able to push the limits of normalcy in order to strike a humorous note with the audience. In a show like The Righteous Gemstones, every character seems more outlandish than the last, but there's one character that truly steals the show.

Seven years since the show came out, The Righteous Gemstones has continued to enrapture audiences with the misadventures of one rich and dysfunctional family. With a large ensemble of bizarre characters, the show delivers nonstop comedy with each chaotic turn the plot takes. Created by Danny McBride, The Righteous Gemstones pokes fun at Southern megachurches while still delivering a funny and heartfelt story about family, loss, and community.

'The Righteous Gemstones' Takes Comedy to a New Level

Image via HBO

The Gemstone family has made a name for themselves as one of the biggest Evangelical leaders in America. First created by Eli Gemstone (John Goodman) and his wife Aimee-Lee (Jennifer Nettles), the Gemstone megachurch has skyrocketed the family into extravagant wealth. Eli's three children, Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin, knew nothing but wealth and privilege, stunting each of the adults in their own immature ways. When Jesse is suddenly blackmailed by a mysterious criminal, his past actions threaten to take down his family's empire. With the help of his siblings, Jesse fights back against the blackmailer and reconnects with his dysfunctional family.

Each season takes on a new challenge for the Gemstone family to deal with. From motorcycle assassins to a deranged cult, the Gemstones face their fair share of danger, all while trying to keep their empire at the top. The satirical comedy pushes the audience's limits countless times, but the chaotic antics keep audiences glued to their screens. The Gemstone children's immaturity leads to outrageous consequences that push the show's plot and humor to new extremes.

The Righteous Gemstones delivers a wild and hilarious adventure throughout all four seasons, making it one of the most prominent comedy series HBO Max has produced in the past 10 years. Easy to binge and addicting to watch, the series feels unlike anything else on streaming. It's a perfect mix of comedy and crime drama that hasn't been replicated since. With eccentric characters, lavish lifestyles, and plenty of illegal activities, The Righteous Gemstones isn't afraid to go too far — in fact, it wants to go farther.

Walton Goggins' Makes the Role His Own

Since his role as The Ghoul in Prime Video's Fallout, many viewers often associate Walton Goggins with the grizzled post-apocalyptic cowboy he embodied so well. While the actor has had a long career with dramatic roles in shows like The White Lotus and The Shield, Goggins has a background in comedy that shouldn't be overlooked. In The Righteous Gemstones, Goggins shines as Baby Billy, the Gemstones' money-hungry uncle and brother to the deceased Aimee-Lee.

Baby Billy could not have been played better by anyone else. Goggins' has a unique charm that takes this strange old man and makes him into a character audiences love to see. Even as a side character in a show full of outlandish personalities, Baby Billy stands out as one of the most notable parts of the show. In a family full of selfish and out-of-touch characters, Baby Billy might be the worst of them all. From his extreme appearance to his propensity for song, Baby Billy's addition to The Righteous Gemstones highlights the show's comedic strengths. Goggins is able to put his skills as a dramatic actor to use as well through many emotional storylines centered around Baby Billy's complicated past. What could have been a forgettable character is given life through Walton Goggins' phenomenal performance, and the show is better for it.

The Righteous Gemstones excels as an ensemble series. The show successfully balances multiple storylines each season, giving every character a chance to be known. Baby Billy is a standout character in a show full of memorable personalities, speaking to McBride's writing and Goggins' comedic talents. Seven years later, Baby Billy continues to be one of Walton Goggins' best roles, and certainly one that deserves more attention.