Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama The Gilded Age, which has been captivating audiences with its lavish portrayal of America’s most extravagant era!
Premiering on January 24, 2022, The Gilded Age now boasts 3 seasons on HBO and Max, with the third season premiering on June 22, 2025. Created by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey), the series features approximately 45-60 minute episodes that transport viewers to the opulent world of 1880s New York City.
The American Gilded Age was a period of immense economic and social change, when empires were built, but no victory came without cost. Fellowes masterfully captures this era of unprecedented wealth and social upheaval, creating a sumptuous period drama that explores themes of old money versus new money, social climbing, and the changing face of American aristocracy. The series combines the grandeur of historical spectacle with intimate character studies of those navigating society’s rigid hierarchies.
Old Money Meets New Fortune
Set in the 1880s during America’s economic boom, The Gilded Age follows the clash between established New York society and ambitious nouveau riche families trying to break into elite circles. The story centers on old money power players struggling to keep power from new money interlopers as the city transforms around them.
The narrative weaves together multiple storylines, from romantic entanglements and family secrets to business rivalries and social scandals. At its heart, the series examines how rapid industrialization and unprecedented wealth creation challenged traditional social structures, creating both opportunities and conflicts for characters across different social strata.
Agnes van Rhijn: The Formidable Guardian of Tradition
Christine Baranski delivers a commanding performance as Agnes van Rhijn, a proud and stubborn old money socialite who is very protective of the old world she has inhabited and the old world values. As the matriarch of her family, Agnes represents the resistance to social change, fiercely defending the established order against nouveau riche intrusions.
Baranski’s portrayal brings both steel and vulnerability to Agnes, showing a woman who understands that her world is changing but refuses to surrender without a fight. Her character arc explores the tension between maintaining dignity and adapting to inevitable social evolution.
Bertha Russell: The Ambitious Social Climber
Carrie Coon’s Bertha Russell embodies the new money determination to crack New York’s social elite. As the wife of a railroad tycoon, Bertha uses her wealth and strategic mind to force her way into society’s inner circles, often clashing with established families like the van Rhijns.
Coon brings complexity to what could have been a one-dimensional villain, revealing Bertha’s genuine desire for acceptance alongside her ruthless social maneuvering. Her performance showcases the loneliness and frustration of being wealthy but excluded from the circles that matter most to her.
The Battle for Social Supremacy
The whole season is about who’s in charge: Who is in charge in society, who’s in charge of marriages, who has the power. The series reaches its dramatic peak when the carefully maintained social boundaries finally crack under pressure from ambitious newcomers and changing times.
The climactic moments often occur during elaborate social events where public appearances mask private warfare, as characters use every weapon at their disposal from gossip and scandal to financial manipulation to achieve their goals.
A Rich Tapestry of Period Life
The series features a sprawling ensemble including Cynthia Nixon as Ada, Agnes’ more diminutive sister who relies on her sibling for support, and Marian Brook as the idealistic young woman caught between the old and new worlds. Each supporting character represents different aspects of Gilded Age society, from ambitious servants to progressive activists.
The diverse cast brings depth to every social level, showing how the era’s changes affected everyone from Wall Street titans to domestic workers, creating a comprehensive portrait of a society in transition.
Success on HBO
The series has received positive reviews, with particular praise for the costumes and performances of lead actors Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Cynthia Nixon, and Christine Baranski. The show’s meticulous attention to historical detail and sumptuous production values have made it a standout in HBO’s prestigious lineup. The third season features eight episodes and continues to explore the complex social dynamics that made this era so fascinating, cementing The Gilded Age as a worthy successor to Fellowes’ previous period drama successes.
If you love period dramas filled with social intrigue, stunning costumes, and powerhouse performances, The Gilded Age is the perfect series to binge on HBO Max.
A magnificent period drama that captures the opulence and complexity of America’s Gilded Age while delivering compelling characters and intricate social commentary.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 3 seasons with 8-10 episodes each (26 episodes total)
Platform: HBO/Max
Rating (IMDb): 8.0/10
Genre: Historical Drama, Period Drama
Main Characters: Christine Baranski (Agnes van Rhijn), Carrie Coon (Bertha Russell), Cynthia Nixon (Ada Brook), Morgan Spector (George Russell), Louisa Jacobson (Marian Brook)
Antagonist: The rigid social hierarchy and class conflicts between old money and new money families