Seth Rogen and the ‘Preacher’ Cast Talk Final Season, Shooting in Australia, and Game of Thrones

Preacher‘s brutal and wacky take on biblical lore is unlike anything else you’ll watch on television.

The show, which was originally adapted from a comic-book series of the same name, follows a preacher named Jesse who acquires a powerful gift on his journey to find God. But really, it’s a show where Hilter rules hell, God sneaks around in a kinky dog costume, and people speak more with their fists than their words.

At San Diego Comic-Con, the Preacher cast and showrunner talked to fans during their panel in Hall-H and with members of the press during a media conference earlier in the day. During this time the cast discussed the show’s final season, filming their last scenes in Australia, and just how much Seth Rogen loathes that Game of Thrones ending.

The cast attending the convention included Dominic Cooper (Jesse Custer), Ruth Negga (Tulip O’Hare), Julie Ann Emery (Lara Featherstone), Mark Harelik (God), and the show’s creator, Seth Rogen.

Shooting in Australia:

Arguably one of the coolest parts of Preacher is that the show never settles in one place for too long. From New Mexico to New Orleans, this show has wreaked havoc and chewed scenery without looking back.

Now the show is taking on Australia in a move that proves this final season will be bigger and bolder than ever before. Jesse may be out his element but Preacher will always be in its element when it’s characters are in way over their heads.

Dominic Cooper couldn’t agree more and getting to live out his last days as Jesse in such a unique place was certainly an experience.

“Australia becomes a massive part of this season and it was an incredible landscape. The landscape in the background of the comics moves, unlike anything. Australia was the perfect place for both the outback and the urban landscape,” Cooper remarked.

Emery added that Australia had some pretty enthusiastic Preacher fans and most of them resided on their film crew.

“There were crew members, who when we wrapped, brought in their original copies of the comics for us to sign. We had some hardcore Australian Preacher fans on our crew,” she explained.

Ending The Show With Season 4:

TV shows today either end too soon or go on too long. In some cases, shows will make the decision to sacrifice quantity for quality. Preacher decided to go out on its own terms and during the panel, Rogen elaborated on why Season 4 was the right time for the comic-adaptation to end.

“To us, it felt like having a show where every episode was propelling the story forward and moving towards a final conclusion while being plotted out in a way that was hopefully fast-paced and satisfying. You know, like the end of a tv show. I think people like this show the most when it’s moving forward fast.

“Early on in the series, we experimented with a slightly more measured pace and I think we found that was not our strength. A sheer mass of insanity was more the thing that people liked about the show in combination with the characters and the stories. We tried to do that more this season with it ending,” explained Rogen.

Rogen’s words are promising as a sheer mass of insanity is exactly what we want from Preacher in its final days.

God, The Antagonist

At a time in television where villains can parade around as heroes and zombies aren’t half as terrifying as the people living amongst them, it seems only fitting Preacher would take on a side of God that reflects the less than righteous parts of society today.

Regardless of whether or not viewers think this new take on the biblical figure is clever or wrong, this edgy version of God will be at the forefront of this final season. Mark Harelik, who plays God on the series, clarified the character’s motives for fans and touched on why Preacher‘s God is the way he is.

“God has created man in his own image and when you take a look at people you see there’s some good aspects and some pretty scummy aspects. And so, the show has taken that message very literally. God has made man in His own image and man has made God in his own image.

“In Jesse’s culture, this is what God looks like and he ain’t a nice boy,” Harelik admitted.

This glorified Christmas card version of God will continue to work on each character this season to set them on a path he deems to be the right one — but of course, forcing any of these characters to follow orders never ends well for anyone, not even God.

“He spends most of this last season trying to manipulate everybody’s paths so they will achieve his ultimate will, which is what you’re going to find out. They’re not exactly participating to his satisfaction and things will get scrambly.” 

“God seems to have something in mind that he is pushing them towards. Most of his interactions so far have been with Tulip, but God will engage directly with more characters leading towards the end,” Harelik teased to fans.

Does this mean God will be the big bad of Preacher‘s final season?

“He’s an antagonist, for sure — and he’s into some really sick shit,” Seth confesses, eluding to that disturbing dog costume we all wish we could forget.

Featherstone V.S. Tulip

There’s no rivalry greater than the one between Tulip and Featherstone. From day one these two women have found themselves as equals on opposite sides of a war. Whether they’re throwing insults or throwing punches, we know it wouldn’t be a proper send-off if Preacher didn’t have these two at each other’s throats constantly.

“We’re going to get both this season [physical and verbal fights],” confirms Emery, who plays Featherstone.

The promise of more banter and battering is promising as Negga, who plays Tulip, confirmed the intensity between these two will continue to boil over into some rather epic moments of confrontation. Despite that, she admitted that the ending of this killer rivalry will surprise fans.

“We’ve got an epic fight scene and we trained for like a month for that. Our last scene together is kind of unexpected and weird and odd. Beneath all this, there is a deep respect for one another. They do hate each other but they begrudgingly respect each other, and I love that — but we don’t hold hands and walk off into the sunset,” explained Negga.

“There is a scene in the finale this season with Ruth that absolutely gutted me in every possible way. And I don’t think that scene could have taken place with any other character.” Emery said, only adding to the anticipation surrounding this final showdown.

Not to worry though. According to Emery, Featherstone will have quite the arc this season and not all of it will revolve around destroying Tulip with every chance she gets.

“Featherstone takes quite the journey this season. There’s an arrogance to her and for the first half of the season, she is so fully in her element. I kill a lot of people, sometimes just for annoying me.”

A statement like that would have fans believe Featherstone is beyond change. After all, she has been known to partake in killing anyone who gets on her nerves. However, this season the character is taken in new directions that even the actress did not see coming.

“This season really stretched Featherstone in directions I did not expect. I certainly did not expect that version of Featherstone in the finale that we got,” admitted Emery.

“I do something in the first episode of Season 4 that I’ve never done on a film set before. It was the most fun day on set ever for me but it’s too much of a spoiler to say. I learned another new skillset.”

Bloodier and Bolder Fight Scenes:

Not many shows lean on their fight scenes to move the story forward and create dialogue, but for the characters of Preacher punching people in the face is the only way they know how to express themselves.

At San-Diego Comic-Con, fans were treated to a sneak peek of the elaborate fight scene Jesse orchestrates in the first episode of Season 4 to break Cassidy out of Masada. Cooper touched on the significance of Cassidy and Jesse’s body language in scenes like that and how they ultimately make for fight sequences that are both violent and meaningful.

“That look Cassidy gives Jesse and what’s happening in Cassidy’s head is what’s important, not the fight. That look informs the storyline. They’re not just violence for violence sake. I think that’s what makes them enjoyable to learn.”

“There’s another fight sequence in Season 4 Episode 4 or 5 and we did it in one take. That was terrifying but amazing,” admitted Cooper.

Rogen had an interesting tidbit for fans about the one-take fight scene, one not even Cooper was aware before attending this panel.

“That is the first fight involving several double-headed dildos — which is something that had to happen,” explained Rogen.

“Is that what that was?” asked a horrified Cooper.

Tulip is arguably the most skilled fighter on the show unless you count that one time Featherstone managed to kill her. Tulip loves chaos and brutality as much as the next person and it would seem Negga is just as much a fan of the fight scenes.

“I love the fight scenes. They are so tongue in cheek. It’s super clever to make fight scenes funny and incredibly hard,” she said.

Arguably the best part of Tulip’s fighting style is her ability to use absolutely anything as a weapon in times of need. It’s safe to assume this skill will come in handy once again as we creep closer to the end of the series.

“I love Tulip’s lost found object weaponry — and that theme continues this season,” revealed Negga.

Seth Rogen Takes On Game of Thrones

Many notable series have already come to an end this year, including Game of Thrones. However, the mega-hit fantasy did not finish on the strongest of notes and fans retaliated with outrage and disappointment after the show aired its controversial finale.

That dismay could be felt at San Diego Comic-Con as fans eagerly awaited the chance to talk to the showrunners during the Game of Thrones‘ farewell panel.

The showrunners may have backed out at the last moment but there was one showrunner who wasn’t afraid to shy away from answering questions about the show — creator and executive producer of Preacher and The Boys, Seth Rogen. 

“I do just want to start by saying, I know we are following the Game of Thrones panel, which is a F***ing nightmare. I also know that their showrunners didn’t show up because they don’t want to answer questions about the show. I am not one of the creators of Game of Thrones but I am the creator of other tv shows, so feel free to ask me any questions you guys have throughout the night.”

“I’m not an expert, I haven’t read the books, but I watched the show so I can give you my insights and thoughts,” revealed Rogen to an uproar of applause.

The actor and showrunner did, in fact, use the duration of his panel as an opportunity to share his thoughts on the final season of Game of Thrones regardless of the fact that he was there to promote his own show’s final season — but honestly, after Bran can we blame him?

When asked which series finale was going to be more satisfying, Preacher or Game of Thrones, Rogen was quick to joke about the fact that the ending to his show couldn’t be too bad given he actually showed up for his panel.

“I am here at least, so I think that’s a good sign. I’m willing to show my face.”

“I’ve dabbled in the comic book space before, I know how unforgiving people can be and the fact that no one has assassinated me means we’ve done a great job. Overall I’m very proud of the job we did on bringing this show to life — and I would also like to imagine those guys regret making Bran the king because ultimately he doesn’t have the best story.”

Rogen continued his playful banter throughout the panel and touched on many of the moments fans were still sour about from the Game of Thrones’ final season. He too had trouble understanding why the dragons, along with Arya’s true potential, were sidelined.

“Arya learned all that face shit, where’d it go? What did she do with those faces?”

“And I bet they wished they kept more of the dragons around…” added Rogen.

As Preacher gears up for its final episodes, some fans are voicing disappointment that the series is coming to an end. While Rogen was touched by the devotion this show has received, he asked that fans lay Preacher to rest for good and did so while taking some digs at Game of Thrones, of course.

“Don’t try! Don’t do one of those things because it ends — it’s over. It would put us in a weird position if you guys now made a petition to save Preacher because it’s over. But we’re going to crowdsource the reshooting of the final episode.”

In case you were wonder, yes he did share his thoughts on the show’s decision not to have Jaime kill Cersei.

“It was disappointing. You don’t want to follow these people for 6 years and see them trapped in the rubble. Come on, that’s anti-climatic.”

And with that, Rogen left fans with some reassurance. His distaste for how Game of Thrones ended means viewers likely won’t have to be subjected to the same kind of disappointing when it comes time to say goodbye to Jesse and the gang. That being said, saying goodbye hasn’t been easy for Rogen.

“It is sad that it is over, and it’s weird that it’s over.”

Whether he was referring to Game of Thrones or Preacher, no one attending the panel could be quite sure.

Skills From the Preacher Set:

Surely, a show with as much range as Preacher has taught the cast all kinds of weird skill sets at some point during this wild journey. Featherstone is such a badass in her own way it’s not surprising to hear some of her weaponry knowledge has rubbed off on Emery.

“I can strip a Glock. I find that oddly comforting in our current environment,” Emery exclaimed.

Negga, on the other hand, was more proud of what skill she refused to learn on set rather than the ones she did learn. 

“I can tell you something I still haven’t learned — to drive. On purpose, just to piss Seth off,” said Negga smugly.

“As the person who directs a show that involves her driving a lot, it’s a real challenge. I remember at a point we asked because it would make our lives a lot easier if she could just drive a little bit and she was like nope,” laughed Rogen.

To this day, it’s still unclear as to whether or not Negga was unable to drive or just chose not to. Regardless, Seth took the running joke in stride.

“At this point, it became a fun challenge. The little boy who was her stunt double could drive, though,” Rogen retorted.

How Much Crazy Is Too Much Crazy?

With a show as unpredictable and insane as Preacher, one has to wonder if there’s even a line that can be crossed. One also has to wonder what kind of ideas AMC has had to push back against over the years.

According to Rogen, the network has actually been accepting of some really screwed up stuff, but there was one scene in the pilot he received a lot of push back about.

“In the pilot, we blow up Tom Cruise. I’m still shocked we found a way to do that and AMC really pushed back hard, saying we don’t think we can do this and I just kept saying I think we can. Eventually, we just didn’t take it out. They’re not going to come to the editing room and physically start hitting buttons to take it out. If we just never do it then one day it will be on television.”

“But I did get an angry phone call from Tom Crusie’s representation,” Rogen explained.

While reflecting on the end of this project and what the cast and producers have been able to accomplish with Preacher, Rogen explained what making a show with seemingly no limitations means going forward.

“I’m very grateful we got to make this show and not have to censor it or water it down. Now that we did this we can always use this as a successful example to let us do whatever the f*** we want.”

“As long as One Million Moms are protesting our show we know we are doing the right thing. Which they are, I think — and there’s not like a million of them by the way, more like thirty thousand, tops,” he joked.

Jesse’s Final Days:

Despite all the bad we’ve seen God partake in, Jesse is still holding out hope that the man he worships is good at his core. Cooper discussed Jesse’s desperate need for answers as his character’s expectations come into question more than ever this season.

“He wants answers, he wants reasons, and he wants to make sense of the madness that he has been going through. He wants to relinquish himself from the guilt he feels about his father. I think, mainly, he wants to know that he’s not to blame for his father’s death and that his father is in a safe place. He believes this man is a good man and he wants a good reason for why God has deserted mankind,” explained Cooper.

However, the greatest struggle Jesse will face in his final days will be with Genesis.

“He discovers quite quickly that he is incapable of using it for any good. He constantly misuses it and that becomes a huge part of our story near the end — as it is in the comics. How Genesis was created and what that threat means to God. For Jesse, I don’t believe he used it for any good, he didn’t know what to do with it and eventually he will — I won’t say anything else.” Cooper said as Rogen gave him the look to stop before he revealed something he shouldn’t.

Saying Goodbye:

During the panel, the cast spoke openly about the special bond they shared on set and how their professional relationships pushed each other to be better in every scene.

“I hope you see in this final season that this is a group of people that really like working together,” said Harelik.

“It was rare, wasn’t it? We would get together on our own and call each other. We would make time to go and talk through scenes,” added Cooper.

Emery continued to elaborate on how their devotion to propelling each other forward and to these characters has made for a once in a lifetime experience as actors.

“It’s always a pleasure to be on a set where you don’t want to let your scene partner down. Where everyone is pushing each other and elevating the material you can’t get to by yourself. That just doesn’t happen that often and it happens across the board on Preacher,” Emery explained.

With a connection like this, it’s no surprise the cast had just as hard of a time saying goodbye to each other as we will have saying goodbye to these loveable characters.

“When the three of us are together just having random conversations about the Big Lebowski or face cream — I just miss that. I love our dynamic and we have the best fun. I haven’t processed the end yet,” Negga admitted.

“I think it will be very hard now to find a job that allows us to do the things that we have done on this show. A show that allows you to do broad comedy on the same day you were doing a rather serious scene about your father and then to go into an incredible constructed fight scene. That’s the nature of how wonderful, different, and brave this show is. It’s been an incredible 5 years,” said Cooper with great pride.

It’s clear amongst the fans, cast, and producers of this show that nothing will ever really compare to the experience Preacher has brought to the small screen.

“Everything is boring after Preacher,” said Emery.

“It ruined us for directing television, especially. It was so much fun to do this show!” Rogen agreed.

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Check out all of our coverage of San Diego Comic-Con right here. There is a lot more to come!

Preacher airs Sundays at 10/9c on AMC.

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