The long wait for The Gilded Age Season 2 is almost over!
In an exciting continuation of the American period drama, creator Julian Fellowes, known for Downton Abbey, brings back the series for its eagerly awaited second season. HBO has announced the official premiere date along with a new plot description and an exciting trailer that promises more drama and extravagance.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: THE GILDED AGE SEASON 2 EPISODE 1 RELEASE DATE
The historical drama is set to premiere on Sunday, October 29, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, with streaming available on HBO Max. This eight-episode season is sure to plunge viewers once again into the lavish and dynamic world of late 19th-century New York City.
THE GILDED AGE SEASON 1
As we anticipate the second season of The Gilded Age, let’s revisit the opulent world introduced in the first season. Set in the bustling 1880s NYC, Season 1 introduced us to a period of massive societal change, where old traditions clashed with new ideas, and fortunes were made and lost rapidly.
The intricate storyline followed several characters, each navigating their ambitions, secrets, and desires in the volatile high society. With romance, betrayal, intriguing characters, stunning costumes, and intelligent scripts from Fellowes, The Gilded Age showed great potential, supported by a talented ensemble cast and production team.
HBO’s synopsis of Season 1 reads:
The Gilded Age begins in 1882 with a young Marian Brook moving from rural Pennsylvania to New York City after her father’s death to live with her wealthy aunts, Agnes van Rhijn and Ada Brook. Accompanied by Peggy Scott, an aspiring writer, Marian gets caught in a social battle between her old-money aunt and their wealthy neighbors, the ambitious Russell family.
THE OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS OF SEASON 2
The Gilded Age was a time of significant economic change, old versus new, and fortunes made and lost. Season 2 begins on Easter morning 1883, with news of Bertha Russell’s rejection from the Academy of Music. Throughout the eight episodes, we follow Bertha as she challenges Mrs. Astor and the old system, striving not just to gain a foothold in society, but possibly to lead it. George Russell faces his own battles with a growing union at his Pittsburgh steel plant.
In the Brook House, Marian secretly teaches at a girls’ school while Ada surprisingly starts a new romance, none of which pleases Agnes. In Brooklyn, the Scott family begins to heal from a shocking discovery, and Peggy immerses herself in activism through her work with T. Thomas Fortune at the NY Globe.
THE GILDED AGE SEASON 2 CAST
The large ensemble cast features both new and returning members. Here’s the announced cast lineup:
– Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell
– Morgan Spector as George Russell
– Christine Baranski as Agnes van Rhijn
– Cynthia Nixon as Ada Brook
– Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook
– Denée Benton as Peggy Scott
– Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell
– Harry Richardson as Larry Russell
– Blake Ritson as Oscar Van Rhijn
– Ben Ahlers as Jack Treacher
– Michael Cerveris as Watson
– Kelley Curran as Turner
– Jack Gilpin as Church
– Simon Jones as Bannister
– Sullivan Jones as T. Thomas Fortune
– Celia Keenan-Bolger as Mrs. Bruce
– Debra Monk as Armstrong
– Donna Murphy as Mrs. Astor
– Kristine Nielsen as Mrs. Bauer
– Kelli O’Hara as Aurora Fane
– Audra McDonald as Dorothy Scott
– Patrick Page as Richard Clay
– Taylor Richardson as Bridget
– Douglas Sills as Baudin
– Nathan Lane as Ward McAllister
– John Douglas Thompson as Arthur Scott
– Ward Horton as Charles Fane
– Erin Wilhelmi as Adelheid
– Ashlie Atkinson
– Laura Benanti
– Nicole Brydon Bloom
– Christopher Denham
– David Furr
– Matilda Lawler
– Robert Sean Leonard
Tom Raikes (played by Thomas Cocquerel) will not be returning.
THE GILDED AGE SEASON 2 TRAILER
The new trailer teases a brewing societal war, offering intriguing glimpses of the drama, intrigue, and elegance that await in Season 2.
WHAT WE HOPE TO SEE
As we count down to the premiere, we’re excited to see more romance developing between characters. Julian Fellowes is known for crafting unforgettable romantic duos, so our expectations are high. We also hope to see more of the core female characters—Bertha Russell, Agnes van Rhijn, Ada Brook, Marian Brook, and Peggy Scott—continuing to captivate us.
We’d love to see more focus on the “downstairs” group too, similar to Downton Abbey. However, we hope to avoid nudity or explicit love scenes, which felt out of place in Season 1. Let’s hope HBO allows Julian Fellowes to stick to what he does best: crafting elegant and witty period dramas.
What are you looking forward to in The Gilded Age Season 2?
