Righteous Gemstones' Harmon casting praised as Home Alone star joins
Abigail Rogers
Updated on April 03, 2026
The penultimate episode of The Righteous Gemstones season 2 aired on HBO on February 20th, 2022, and it explored the familial background of one key character.
So far, season 2 of Danny McBride’s comedy series has brought many surprises: Joe Jonas made a cameo, reprising his acting credentials. Eric Roberts was cast as an investigative reporter, threatening the Gemstones’ corrupt organisation. And audiences are given a deeper insight and understanding of Dr. Eli Gemstone.
But the casting of Baby Billy Freeman’s estranged son, Harmon, is possibly the most shocking addition to The Righteous Gemstones yet.
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Macaulay Culkin appears as Harmon in The Righteous Gemstones
Macaulay Culkin, the actor best known for his starring role as Kevin in the Christmas classic, Home Alone, embodied the role of Harmon, Baby Billy Freeman’s estranged son.
He first appears in season 2 episode 7, which aired last night, February 20th, 2022, and audiences were given no prior warning of the A-lister’s appearance.
Culkin’s storyline is the centre-arc of the episode, and he receives considerable screen time for a new character.
However, the character’s appearance has been built up since episode 4, when a flashback shows Baby Billy abandoning his young son at a shopping mall.
Baby Billy Freeman’s redemption storyline in season 2 episode 7
Baby Billy is about to become a father for the second time as his third wife, Tiffany is heavily pregnant.
Throughout season 2, the character battles with the immense guilt felt over abandoning his firstborn child, and his fears that history will repeat itself.
He is visited by the ghost of his dead sister, Aimee-Leigh, who helps him realise the need to reconcile with Harmon.
He then visits Harmon’s house unannounced, who invites him in and he apologises.
Shockingly to Baby Billy, despite being left by his father as a child, Harmon has lived a relatively good life.
His mother bought him a cat which he was fond off after Baby Billy left, who lived for 17 years, and then Harmon went on to have his own family.
Baby Billy pleads with Harmon to make peace, so they “don’t have to be stuck in that day for the rest of their lives”, to which his son informs him that he isn’t, that he moved on quickly, and it hasn’t much affected him.
Harmon then grants him forgiveness.
Fans react to Macaulay Culkin in The Righteous Gemstones
Fans flocked to Twitter to share their surprise at Macauly Culkin’s appearance.
One fan wrote: “Damn. @IncredibleCulk with an amazing performance on The Righteous Gemstones tonight.”
Another added: “The GOAT himself @IncredibleCulk guest starring on The Righteous Gemstones tonight.”
Someone else added: “Awww Macaulay Culkin is on this episode of The Righteous Gemstones. The 90s child in me will always smile when I see him.”
Lmaooo I thought it was just someone who looked like him but it's actually Macaulay Culkin playing Walton Goggins' son in The Righteous Gemstones 😭😭😭
— . (@Formersoccerfan) February 21, 2022
Went to sleep on the righteous gemstones, just to find out Macaulay Culkin is baby billy’s son 😂
— ᄃΛЯDIПΛᄂ ∞⚡️ (@ROLLINGxSTONE) February 21, 2022
Euphoria discourse is overshadowing that Macaulay Culkin was on Righteous Gemstones tonight and he really made the most out of his time tonight. Really able to pack an emotional punch with such a small role.
— Les Incompétents (@calebthehairy) February 21, 2022
Macaulay Culkin in Righteous Gemstones. That’s the tweet.
— Maggie (@MaggieIbarraa) February 21, 2022
Macaulay Culkin in the latest Righteous Gemstones! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
— Mike (@86themike) February 21, 2022
not macaulay culkin on the righteous gemstones omg
— sophia (@screamkwean) February 21, 2022
Season 2 of The Righteous Gemstones concludes on HBO on Sunday, February 27th, 2022.
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