After 15 years, six seasons, 5 Christmas specials, and two movies, the golden period of Downton Abbey has come to an finish, however don’t fret, there’s one other interval drama that is gaining momentum in capturing viewers’ consideration, this time by analyzing and dissecting American society: The Gilded Age. Followers of the sequence are calling it “the brand new Downton Abbey,” and The Gilded Age has formally returned for its extremely anticipated third season on HBO Max, so now’s the proper time to tune in.
The Gilded Age follows a younger lady, Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson), who strikes in along with her rich aunts and is immediately thrust right into a societal battle between them and their “new cash” neighbors. It emphasizes the social warfare of that point, involving “outdated cash” households who sought to protect their established social standing, whereas “new cash” households tried to combine themselves into excessive society.
The identical mastermind behind the Golden Globe and Emmy-winning Downton Abbey, Julian Fellowes, created the sequence, which bears a putting resemblance to his earlier work. Just like the British drama, The Gilded Age delves deeply into social commentary, specializing in the complexities of American society and household. It is intriguing to observe the dissection of America’s Industrial Revolution, a interval when prosperity and innovation helped the nation blossom into what it’s at this time. Many have additionally drawn connections to at this time’s social local weather, by which billionaires seem to dominate.
The stellar solid consists of Carrie Coon, Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, Denée Benton, Morgan Spector, Taissa Farmiga, and lots of extra. As Season 3 of the HBO Max sequence premieres, there’s extra juicy melodrama, social scandals, and household battle that awaits, conserving audiences hooked.
‘The Gilded Age’ Explores the Complexities of America’s Excessive Society

The Gilded Age
- Launch Date
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January 24, 2022
- Community
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HBO
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Morgan Spector
George Russell
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Louisa Jacobson
Marian Brook
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Denée Benton
Peggy Scott
Julian Fellowes, the creator of the critically acclaimed interval drama Downton Abbey, invitations viewers to journey again in time as soon as extra, however this time to a affluent time in American historical past. Set in Eighties New York, the HBO Max sequence The Gilded Age follows Marian Brook (Jacobson), who, after the loss of life of her father, is distributed to stay along with her “outdated cash” aunts, Ada Brook (Nixon) and Agnes van Rhijn (Baranski), and is thrust into America’s excessive society, which she is now anticipated to navigate.
Unbeknownst to Marian, she’s sadly caught in the midst of a social battle between the traditions of generational wealth and the rise of latest, acquired wealth. The sequence additionally explores the “Upstairs-Downstairs” components that had been extremely related throughout that point, because it examines the social tradition involving race, class, and energy. To know the general class construction, each perspective should be highlighted. If Downton Abbey was any indication, Fellowes is aware of the best way to deliver these components collectively for viewers to completely grasp what the dialog is about.
Behind the opulence and drama, the sequence, though set in a unique period, brilliantly makes use of the historic narrative of the Gilded Age to parallel with the present social dialog round wealth. As a viewer, it is attention-grabbing to see the connection between Nineteenth-century industrialists and trendy industrialists, in any other case referred to as tech moguls. All nice movies and tv handle the problems that folks of all backgrounds face, and The Gilded Age is one other type of leisure that provides to that dialog, particularly because the ego-fueled billionaires of this age are blinded by ambition and energy greater than ever earlier than. From an out of doors perspective, it is engrossing to see ambition unfold and to watch how inclined humanity is to the weaknesses that reside within the pursuit of energy.
‘The Gilded Age’ Is Famend for Its Costumes and Set Design
Apart from the examination of the category construction, Downton Abbey was beloved for its unimaginable set design and glamorous costumes, and one way or the other, The Gilded Age is even higher. Manufacturing designer Bob Shaw and his workforce did nothing wanting a masterful job in recreating New York within the Eighteen Nineties, using actual areas in and round New York, bodily units, and digital enhancements. They constructed units on sound phases, filmed in historic mansions, and digitally refined backgrounds to look expansive and for different detailing.
For instance, in keeping with Curbed, Shaw drew inspiration from the detailing of historic mansions, similar to one which belonged to the economic magnate Andrew Carnegie and the Lotos Membership. The workforce constructed the Russell Home’s 30-foot entryway on a sound stage and took inspiration from different Brownstones close to Union Sq. for the Brook-Van Rhijn home. Episode 1 of the sequence is a promise of what viewers can count on from the set design, transporting you again in time.

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Other than the set design, the costuming within the sequence enhances the storyline simply as magnificently. Costume designer Kasia Walicka-Maimone is the genius behind the costumes that deliver the characters to life. There are corsets, attire, and, after all, hats. Via the costumes, Walicka-Maimone examines the evolution of trend within the Nineteenth century and the way it distinguishes excessive society, typically serving as a way of battle between the warring Brook and Russell households.
In an interview with Fashionista, Walicka-Maimone revealed that the costume design workforce enlisted the assistance of American and European couturiers to create about 5,000 costumes for the primary season alone. “We tried to characterize what was taking place on the road at the moment, and within the rooms, the society as portrayed,” Walika-Maimone mentioned within the interview. The workforce achieved their success by way of in-depth analysis, cautious research, and a deep understanding of the period’s trend and its cultural significance.
What To Count on in Season 3 of ‘The Gilded Age’
Season 3, Episode 1 of The Gilded Age is accessible to stream now on HBO Max, and it picks up proper the place Season 2 left off. The tensions are larger than ever because the Russell household continues to achieve social prominence, with Bertha Russell’s (Coon) sights set on excessive society and George Russell (Spector) pursuing the railroad business. On the similar time, there may be inside battle within the Brook household, as Ada takes on the position of woman of the home and Agnes involves phrases with the brand new dynamic. As each households wrestle personally and socially, they must navigate an ever-changing, ever-evolving America, one constituted of excellent, dangerous, and ugly histories. Like Downton Abbey, there will probably be household drama, social commentary, and glamorous luxurious. Stream The Gilded Age on HBO Max.