'The Gilded Age' Lands an Early Season 4 Renewal

Rejoice, lovers of petty 5th Avenue social squabbling! HBO has confirmed that its lavish period drama The Gilded Age will officially return for a fourth season. The series,  which chronicles the clash between old-money Manhattan elites and up-and-coming nouveau riche strivers in late 19th-century New York, is the very definition of a prestige guilty pleasure, featuring everything from social scandals and petty rivalries to larger questions of industry and class. 

Part of the reason for the renewal announcement is the undeniable ratings success the third season is currently having. Total premiere-night viewing for Season 3 has grown for five consecutive weeks, and is up 20 percent compared to last season. Fan engagement has also climbed, with social chatter rising nearly 60 percent week over week. (Look, every other network out there, if you give a show the time to find its voice, it will find its audience!)

"We couldn’t be prouder of the undeniable viewership heights The Gilded Age has achieved this season," Francesca Orsi, EVP, HBO Programming, Head of HBO Drama Series and Films, said in a statement. Transporting us to 1880s New York City, Julian Fellowes and the enormously talented cast and crew have created a “cant-miss it” entertainment experience from week to week, and we're delighted to continue exploring these characters’ grand ambitions for what we promise will be a thrilling fourth season.”

With Season 3 still airing for several more weeks, there's no word yet on what we can expect from the show's fourth outing. But, given the sheer scope of the drama that's already taken place, from Gladys's marriage and Jack's clock sale to the new and uncomfortable tension in the Russells' marriage and that shocking carriage-related death, it's clear that pretty much anything can happen. (And that it'll be a delight to watch.)

Here's the Season 3 logline.

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.

Given that we don't know just yet what sort of stories Season 4 will entail, but the cast of The Gilded Age is positively massive, meaning that many (likely most) of its main performers will be returning. 

They ensemble for Season 3 includes (deep breath) Carrie Coon (Bertha Russell), Christine Baranski (Agnes van Rhijn), Cynthia Nixon (Ada Forte), Morgan Spector (George Russell), Louisa Jacobson (Marion Brook), Denée Benton (Peggy Scott), Taissa Farmiga (Gladys Russell), Harry Richardson (Larry Russell), Blake Ritson (Oscar van Rhijn), Ben Ahlers (Jack the Footman), Ashlie Atkinson (Mamie Fish), Dylan Baker (Dr. Logan), Kate Baldwin (Nancy Adams Bell), Victoria Clark (Mrs. Joan Carlton), John Ellison Conlee (Mr. Weston), Michael Cumpsty (Lord Mildmay), Kelley Curran (Mrs. Enid Winterton), Jordan Donica (Dr. William Kirkland), Jessica Frances Dukes (Athena Trumbo), Claybourne Elder (John Adams IV), Amy Forsyth (Miss Carrie Astor), Jack Gilpin (Mr. Church), Frances Ellen Watkins Harper(Frances Ellen Watkins Harper), Ward Horton (Charles Fane), Simon Jones (Mr. Bannister), Sullivan Jones (T. Thomas Fortune), Celia Keenan-Bolger (Mrs. Bruce), Ben Lamb (the Duke of Buckingham), Nathan Lane (Ward McAllister),Audra McDonald (Dorothy Scott), Brian Stokes Mitchell (Pastor Frederick Kirkland), Debra Monk (Mrs. Armstrong), Hattie Morahan (Lady Sarah Vere), Donna Murphy (Mrs. Astor), Kristine Nielsen (Mrs. Bauer), Paul Alexander Nolan (Alfred Merrick),  Kelli O’Hara (Aurora Fane), Patrick Page (Richard Clay), Rachel Pickup (Miss Andre), Taylor Richardson (Bridget the Maid), Douglas Sills (M. Baudin), Bobby Steggert (John Singer Sargent), Erin Wilhelmi (Adelheid the Maid), John Douglas Thompson (Arthur Scott), Leslie Uggams (Mrs. Ernestine Brown), Merritt Wever (Monica O’Brien), with Bill Camp (J.P. Morgan) and Phylicia Rashad (Elizabeth Kirkland).

“Thanks to Julian and the phenomenally talented cast and crew, each season of The Gilded Age delivers stories rich in drama and history, stellar performances and stunning production value, Erin Underhill, President, Universal Television, said. Every moment spent in this world and with these characters only deepens our love for the show, and we’re so happy that our partners at HBO and audiences around the world are clamoring for more.”

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 for Season 3, with Erica Dunbar as the historical consultant. All are executive producers, along with Sonja Warfield, Gareth Neame, and Bob Greenblatt. 

New episodes of The Gilded Age Season 3 air Sundays on HBO and stream on HBO Max through August 10. Seasons 1-2 are now streaming.