Marriage Is on Everyone's Mind in 'The Gilded Age' Season 3 Teaser

Everyone's favorite exceedingly well-dressed guilty pleasure, The Gilded Age, returns to our screens this June, bringing more social scandal and fashionably gorgeous headwear. The period drama, which is set in late nineteenth-century New York, chronicles the clash between old-money Manhattan elites and the up-and-coming nouveau riche strivers whose wealth comes from (gasp!) capitalism and industry. But while the catty comments and glorious side-eyes of the city's social scene are a staple of the series' success, it would appear that this outing is going will get back to Julian Fellowes' Downton Abbey-esque roots with a healthy dash of romance—or, at the very least, serious relationship drama. 

As its third season begins, a freshly triumphant Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon), safely ensconsced at the top of society in the wake of her victory in Season 2's Opera War (she, smartly, backed the Metropolitan Opera House), is itching to see her daughter married off to some low level royalty, whether Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) likes it or not. Elsewhere, the Van Rhijn's niece Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) is embarking on a new romance with neighbor and Russell family heir Larry (Harry Richardson), which looks sweet enough and should make for a nice change after both parties' disastrous relationships from last season. (Though it certainly doesn't look as though Agnes approves...) Even Peggy (Denée Benton) appears to have met a nice man! You truly love to see it!

Unfortunately, not every relationship will be smooth sailing this season. Things look pretty tense between George (Morgan Spector) and Bertha throughout this teaser in a way we haven't seen on this show before, which certainly does not bode well for whatever his latest railroad scheme happens to be. While it's hard to believe that they're the couple the voiceover's "divorce" refers to, it's not exactly impossible. (Protect these two at all costs!)

Here's the Season 3 synopsis. 

The American Gilded Age was a period of immense economic and social change, when empires were built, but no victory came without sacrifice. Following the Opera War, the old guard is weakened and the Russells stand poised to take their place at the head of society. Bertha sets her sights on a prize that would elevate the family to unimaginable heights while George risks everything on a gambit that could revolutionize the railroad industry — if it doesn’t ruin him first. Across the street, the Brook household is thrown into chaos as Agnes refuses to accept Ada’s new position as lady of the house. Peggy meets a handsome doctor from Newport whose family is less than enthusiastic about her career. As all of New York hastens toward the future, their ambition may come at the cost of what they truly hold dear.

The Gilded Age boasts a massive cast, which only appears to be growing in its third season. Coon, Spector, Richardson, Farmiga, Jacobson, and Benton are joined by Cynthia Nixon (Ada Forte) and Christine Baranski (Agnes van Rhijn) as Marian's aunts; and Kelli O’Hara (Aurora Fane), Ward Horton (Charles Fane), and Blake Ritson (Oscar van Rhijn) as her cousins; Audra McDonald (Dorothy) and John Douglas Thompson (Arthur) as Peggy's parents.

The staff at the Russell Household includes Jack Gilpin (Mr. Church), Celia Keenan-Bolger (Mrs. Bruce), Douglas Sills (M. Baudin), Rachel Pickup (Miss Andre), Erin Wilhelmi (Adelheid the Maid), and Patrick Page (Richard Clay). Kelley Curran (former maid turned Mrs. Enid Winterton) also returns. The staff of the Forte-van Rhijns are played by Simon Jones (Mr. Bannister), Debra Monk (Mrs. Armstrong), Kristine Nielsen (Mrs. Bauer), Ben Ahlers (Jack the Footman), and Taylor Richardson (Bridget the Maid). 

In those playing actual historical figures, Season 3 will bring back Ashlie Atkinson (Mamie Fish), Nathan Lane (Ward McAllister), Donna Murphy (Ms. Astor), Amy Forsyth (Miss Carrie Astor), Claybourne Elder (John Adams IV), and Ben Lamb (The Duke of Buckingham). New historical figures for Season 3 include Bill Camp (12 Years a Slave) as J.P. Morgan, LisaGay Hamilton (House of Cards) as Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Michael Cumpsty (Severance) as Lord Mildmay, Kate Baldwin (Just Beyond) as Nancy Adams Bell, Bobby Steggert (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as John Singer Sargent, and Hannah Shealy (The Rose Tattoo) as Charlotte Astor.

Other new faces arriving in Season 3 introduce a new crop of characters, including Merritt Weaver (The Bombing of Pan Am 103) as Bertha's sister,  Monica O’Brien; Hattie Morahan (Fool Me Once) as Buckingham's sister, Lady Sarah Vere; John Ellison Conlee (Boardwalk Empire) as Mr. Weston; Dylan Baker (Inside Man) as Dr. Logan; Victoria Clark (Pose) as Mrs. Joan Carlton; Paul Alexander Nolan (Instinct) as Alfred Merrick; and Andrea Martin (Evil) as Madam Dashkova, 

We'll also be introduced to a new community, the Black Bourgeois of Newport. These include the Kirklands, played by Brian Stokes Mitchell (Elementary) as Pastor Fredrick, Phylicia Rashad (Diarra from Detroit) as wife Elizabeth, and Jordan Donica (Charmed) as son Dr. William. This community also includes Jessica Frances Dukes (The Regime) as Athena Trumbo and Leslie Uggams (Fallout) as Mrs. Ernestine Brown.

Julian Fellowes is the creator and writer of The Gilded Age, with Salli Richardson-Whitfield as co-writer. Directors David Crockett and Michael Engler split helming duties with Erica Dunbar as the historical consultant. All executive produce, along with Sonja Warfield, Gareth Neame, and Bob Greenblatt. 

The Gilded Age Season 3 premieres Sunday, June 22, 2025, on HBO and Max, and will stream one episode a week on Sundays through mid-August.