“For a New Yorker, anything is possible!”
And the epoch-making classic feud between old money and new money of New York’s post-civil war society returns for a second season! The period classic Gilded Age, the fine craftsmanship of Julian Fellowes, who also donned the creator’s hat for the infamous series Downtown Abbey has had the audience enthralled over Season 1 in January of 2022. The series was so well received that HBO could not help but renew it for Season 2 within a month from its inception. So, if you were hungover from the opulent 1800 balls, pivotal historical feuds, primeval social and political issues, and the glitz and glamour of uptown New York City Circa set in 1882 and are thirsty for more, you will be served very soon!
The Gilded Age ended its freshman run on a high note, with its finale earning 1.6 million viewers across HBO platforms. The season-ender marked a series high for The Gilded Age and brought in a 54% audience increase from the premiere back in January. At the time of the finale, The Gilded Age grew from its initial 1 million total viewers to 8.5 million across HBO and HBO Max. Heading into the finale, The Gilded Age was the top series on HBO Max. The streamer also shared that The Gilded Age was the No. 1 most social drama series across TV on Monday, the No. 2 most social series finale on premium cable year-to-date, and the No. 3 most social drama series finale across all of TV year-to-date. (via Deadline)
Given the inexhaustible list of accolades that the period classic drama has garnered and ever since the announcement of its renewal back in February 2022, viewers have been grappling for even a shred of information on the progress following the production status and the possible date for its official release on the streamer giant. You don’t have to look anywhere else because we at Web News Observer have compiled all the information you need to get a panorama view of where your beloved series stands at present. So continue reading.
The Gilded Age Season 2: Current Production Status
Let’s rewind the tapes on that. February 2022 witnessed HBO announcing the renewal of The Gilded Age for Season 2. Thereafter, filming had officially begun in May 2022. It was confirmed that the filming took place at various locations around White Plains, NY, including Manhattanville College’s Reid Hall. In addition to this, Reid Hall has been used for various purposes, including offices, a home parlor, and an art gallery or museum. Reid Hall was designed by Stanford White and built-in 1892 for the family of newspaper publisher and diplomat Whitelaw Reid. Reid Castle was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Followed by a wrap-up of filming by November 2022, which was commemorated in the Instagram post of cast member Louisa Jacobson who plays Marian Brook. Thereafter, in 2023 Nathan Lane, who plays social arbiter Ward McAllister in the series, told The Today Show that it is expected in autumn, stating:
“Season 2 won’t be coming on until September… But that’s sort of like being part of a great repertory company. A lot of old friends and people I’ve loved from afar.”
Hence, the current production status of The Gilded Age is probably in post-production if it intends to release by fall 2023.
The Gilded Age Season 2: Will The Strikes Affect The Release Date?
As of writing this, and until further notice, we are unclear on this subject. It is indisputable to assume that the premiere for Gilded Age Season 2 will be affected by the strike, given the fate other series share due to the current strike situation. However, we must note that the filming was already wrapped up in November 2022, and we have had a good eight-month time window for post-production to set off a release date, so not much was affected by the WGA SAG AFTRA strike, which began on 2023 May and is still going strong.
Additionally, the confirmation about a fall release from one of the cast members is also a neat development in the right direction. However, we are not sure how the promotional rules for SAG AFTRA might affect the release window of Season 2. There is a set of rules and guidelines that are expected to be followed by the SAG-AFTRA coterie. As Variety puts it:
“Film and television productions will shut down, but the work stoppage has reverberations that extend beyond actors going to set…According to the guidelines, SAG-AFTRA members will not be able to attend premieres, do interviews for completed work, go to awards shows, attend film festivals, or even promote projects on social media while the strike is in effect. They are also not allowed to attend conventions such as Comic-Con to promote any past or present work made under a SAG-AFTRA contract.”
Seeing that these stringent rules do extend to The Gilded Age, we can expect a delay in its release, at least until the current strike situation cools down.
The Gilded Age Season 2: Expected Release Date
HBO officially renewed The Gilded Age for season 2 on February 14, 2022. The Gilded Age’s ratings had been strong for the network, exceeding those of The White Lotus, HBO’s hit from 2021. Thankfully, The Gilded Age’s producers and writing team were already planning out season 2’s story even before the renewal was announced. Francesca Orsi, executive VP of programming at HBO, praised the show on its renewal (via The Digital Fix).
“Julian Fellowes and the entire Gilded Age family have thoroughly captivated us with their tale of late 19th-century New York City extravagance. Along with our partners at Universal Television, we couldn’t be prouder to embark on a season two journey with this extraordinarily talented team.”
Unlike other productions and beloved series that are ill-fated and will not return to our screens this year, in all possibilities, The Gilded Age Season 2 will release by fall 2023 or December 2023 if the strike situation tends to stretch out.
A 2023 release was confirmed by HBO itself when it released a post marking the release of several series in 2023 on the network and squeezed in amongst them was The Gilded Age Season 2. Take a look at the post below.
So much to look forward to.
New originals, returning series, and more coming soon to @hbomax. pic.twitter.com/nGzWCz9grw
— HBO (@HBO) December 21, 2022
So buckle up because it’s going to be a short and swift ride to your destination!
The Gilded Age Season 2: Cast
Previously, we had incomplete data on the finalized case members for The Gilded Age Season 2. However, recently there have been some developments in this department as the streamer has released its official list of cast members who will be joining the New York City Circa for Season 2:
- Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook
- Christine Baranski as Agnes van Rhijn
- Cynthia Nixon as Ada Brook
- Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell
- Morgan Spector as George Russell
- Denée Benton as Peggy Scott
- Blake Ritson as Oscar van RhijnTaissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell
- Simon Jones as Mr. Bannister
- Harry Richardson as Larry Russell
- Jack Gilpin as Mr. Church
- Debra Monk as Mrs. Armstrong
- Kristine Nielsen as Mrs. Bauer
- Taylor Richardson as Bridget
- Ben Ahlers as John “Jack” Treacher
- Kelley Curran as Miss Turner
- Douglas Sills as Monsieur Baudin
- Celia Keenan-Bolger as Mrs. Bruce
- Michael Cerveris as Mr. Watson
- Erin Wilhelmi as Adelheid
- Kelli O’Hara as Aurora Fane
- Donna Murphy as Caroline Schermerhorn Astor
- Patrick Page as Richard Clay
- Sullivan Jones as T. Thomas Fortune
Casting announcements hint there will be a greater focus on the ‘downstairs’ element of the upstairs/downstairs drama: while only two of the 12 series regulars in the first season were servants, 11 of the 24 Season 2 regulars will be members of household staff.
Additionally, Thomas Cocquerel, who played Tom Raikes, the opportunistic young lawyer and Marian’s love interest last season, is not reprising his role for Season 2, according to Deadline.
The historical drama was created, written, and executive produced by Julian Fellowes. Joining her in EP duties are Gareth Neame, Michael Engler, David Crockett, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Bob Greenblatt, Sonja Warfield, and Erica Dunbar.
In recent news, the network has released an official first look for The Gilded Age Season 2. Check it out here.
The Gilded Age Season 2: Expected Plot
*Spoiler Alert*
While an official announcement for Gilded Age Season 2 has not been made by the channel yet to avoid spoilers, we can guess that the classic feud between old-money society and new-money society will return to our screens for a second season.
Marian went against her family with the help of a successful African-American who goes by the name of Peggy in Season 1. A kind of social war was kicked off for the entirety of Season 1, with one of the big players in the New York scene being railroad tycoon George Russell and his wife, Bertha.
After legal train troubles, social debuts, a lavish ball, and some heartbreak, everything has seemingly settled in The Gilded Age. Following the series’ lengthy and gripping back and forth, the Russells have now ascended into New York’s high society, ushering new money into the elitist and previously closed-off social scene. However, the Season 1 finale left us with an open can of worms on which several plotlines for Season 2 can be taken up.
A heart-wrenching revelation was the split between Marian and Tom Raikes. Season 2 will pick up to show us whether she will brave the storm like a true heartbroken romantic woman or swoon for comfort over the shoulders of Larry Russel. Whatever the outcome, we bet it will knock our socks off.
We also learned in season one that Peggy’s baby is alive after all and that her father fabricated the child’s death – who was secretly adopted instead. Peggy and her mother have headed to Philadelphia to search for her son, and this plot thread will undoubtedly be a major story point in The Gilded Age season 2.
Additionally, we have compiled an episode list for Gilded Age Season 1 to set the structure better for you to get an overall idea of where Season 2 might pick up from.
E01 · Never the New
24 Jan 2022
In 1882, Marian arrives at the home of her “old money” aunts Agnes and Ada, whose new neighbors vie to break into New York high society.
E02 · Money Isn’t Everything
31 Jan 2022
Tom Raikes visits New York as Peggy seeks legal advice, Oscar van Rhijn homes in on Gladys Russell, and drama rips through a charity bazaar.
E03 · Face the Music
7 Feb 2022
An unfortunate development finds George’s new rail station under threat; Marian continues to see Mr. Raikes despite Agnes’ warnings.
E04 · A Long Ladder
14 Feb 2022
In the aftermath of a tragedy, George agrees to help Bertha; a visit has a lasting impact on the staff of Russell House.
E05 · Charity Has Two Functions
22 Feb 2022
Bertha, Marian, Aurora, and Peggy make an overnight trip to see Clara Barton speak; Gladys’ desired beau is invited to dinner.
E06 · Heads Have Rolled For Less
28 Feb 2022
Heads Have Rolled for Less: As George fights to protect his public image, Agnes’ status quo is disrupted and Armstrong intensifies her campaign against Peggy.
E07 · Irresistible Change
7 Mar 2022
As Edison’s illuminating electricity demonstration sparks conversation, George prepares for a legal battle, and Bannister plots revenge.
E08 · Tucked Up In Newport
14 Mar 2022
As Bertha is reminded of her place on her visit to Newport, George gets his day in court and Peggy reveals the truth about her past.
E09 · Let The Tournament Begin
21 Mar 2022
As Ada and Aurora rush to stop Marian from making a huge decision, Bertha and Mrs. Astor’s clash impacts all of New York society.
The fleeting glimpses of The Gilded Age in the promo include a moment as Marian, dressed in a nightgown, anxiously asks, ‘What’s next?’ Her kindly aunt, Ada Brook, responds: ‘You have so much to look forward to’. Later in the trailer, there is a shot of the Russell family’s magnificent mansion. ‘We can’t back down, or we’ll lose control of everything we’ve spent our lives building,’ says railroad magnate George Russell (Morgan Spector), while his wife, ‘new money’ matriarch Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon), is shown preening in front of the mirror in an extravagant hat.
Until further developments and plot holes are released through the official network, interviews, or otherwise, let us keep it within the premises of the above-mentioned information to avoid spoilers. However, as new updates are underway, we will inform you here, so keep a look out!
Is Bertha Russell based on a real person?
Yes. According to Rhode Island Monthly, she’s based on Alva Vanderbilt, a real-life socialite who “made their wealth known through their residence.” She was born in Alabama and married William K. Vanderbilt, moving to New York and Rhode Island. Now a museum you can visit, the Marble House in Rhode Island, built between 1888 and 1892, was a gift from her husband. It was meant to show how rich the couple was. The real-life Gilded Age was between 1877 and 1900 when the U.S. saw rapid economic growth. The HBO series is set in 1882 in New York.
The Gilded Age Season 2: Where To Watch
Season 2 of The Gilded Age is not out yet, but when it does reach us sometime in 2023, you will be able to stream it on HBO or on Max, and in the UK, you will find it on NOW TV or Sky Atlantic.
The series is also available to stream by renting or purchasing it on Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Vudu, and Google Play.
The Gilded Age Season 2: Is There An Official Trailer Yet?
The network has not released any new promos for the upcoming season since the release date for the same has not been announced yet. However, when it does release, we will be sure to update it here.
In the meantime, check out the official trailer for The Gilded Age Season 1 instead.
For more updates on your favorite series, turn on your post notifications and stay tuned to Web News Observer.