A SCANDAL THAT’LL SH0CK NEW YORK! 😱 The Gilded Age Season 4 Episode 1 trailer just dropped, hinting at Bertha’s crumbling empire, Peggy’s bold new chapter, and a romance no one saw coming! 💔💒 What secrets will unravel?

HBO’s The Gilded Age, created by Julian Fellowes, returns for its fourth season with Episode 1, teased in a thrilling “Trailer & First Look” released on August 13, 2025, via YouTube. Following the explosive Season 3 finale, “My Mind Is Made Up,” which aired August 10, 2025, and saw Bertha Russell’s social triumph overshadowed by her husband George’s departure, Peggy Scott’s engagement, and a cascade of secrets at the Newport Ball, Season 4 promises to deepen the drama. With a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 20% viewership surge, the series continues to captivate with its blend of opulence, romance, and betrayal in 1880s New York. This article explores the trailer’s hints for Episode 1, focusing on Bertha’s embattled empire, Peggy’s evolving fate, and new romantic sparks, while setting the stage for Season 4’s high-stakes narrative.

Episode 1: Setting the Stage for Scandal

The Season 4 Episode 1 trailer, as highlighted by Filmaholic, promises a “scandal that rocks high society,” suggesting the episode picks up shortly after the Newport Ball. Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon), fresh from her victory over Mrs. Astor (Donna Murphy), faces a personal crisis as George (Morgan Spector) has left her, unable to reconcile her role in forcing Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) into an arranged marriage with the Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb). The trailer hints at Bertha’s struggle to maintain her social dominance while grappling with a potential divorce, a bold move for the 1880s. Coon told Variety that Bertha’s ambition remains undeterred, but Spector suggested to TVLine that Season 4 will explore whether the Russells can “find their way back” to each other. Episode 1 may open with Bertha navigating this fallout, possibly confronting George or seeking allies like Ward McAllister (Nathan Lane) to solidify her position.

The unresolved mystery of who shot George in Season 3, Episode 7, is another likely focus. Richard Clay (Patrick Page), a business rival, is a prime suspect, and the trailer’s emphasis on “scandals” suggests Episode 1 may introduce new clues or suspects, perhaps tied to Bertha’s enemies in old-money circles. This plotline could intertwine with Bertha’s efforts to maintain her empire, as her social and personal battles collide.

Peggy Scott’s New Chapter

Peggy Scott (Denée Benton) enters Season 4 engaged to Dr. William Kirkland (Jordan Donica), a milestone from the Season 3 finale that defied his mother Elizabeth’s (Phylicia Rashad) objections. The trailer teases Peggy’s “bold new chapter,” hinting that Episode 1 will explore her balancing act between love, career, and societal prejudice. Benton described the proposal scene to TVLine as a “triumph” for Peggy, but her journalism ambitions remain uncertain. Will she continue writing for The New York Globe, or will her engagement shift her focus to community leadership alongside William? The episode may depict their wedding planning, with potential obstacles from Elizabeth or racial tensions in 1880s New York, a nod to the era’s segregated realities.

Peggy’s arc also carries historical weight, reflecting the African-American elite’s resilience, as seen in real figures like journalist T. Thomas Fortune. The trailer suggests a scene at a Black community event, possibly showing Peggy and William navigating their future, setting up a Season 4 arc that ScreenRant predicts will be “central” to the show’s social commentary.

Romances and New Sparks: Jack and Bridget?

The trailer’s “romance no one saw coming” likely refers to a potential pairing between Jack Treacher (Ben Ahlers), the ambitious footman, and Bridget (Taylor Richardson), the van Rhijn maid. Fan speculation on X, such as @pR33TiiReCkLeSS’s excitement for “Jack and Bridgette,” stems from their subtle Season 3 interactions and the trailer’s misnamed “John and Bridgett” reference, likely a confusion with John Adams’ death. This “downstairs” romance, akin to Downton Abbey’s servant love stories, could provide a grounded counterpoint to the elite’s drama. Episode 1 may introduce their budding connection, perhaps through a shared moment at the van Rhijn household, with Jack’s clock-making aspirations and Bridget’s loyalty setting up a heartwarming arc.

Other romantic threads include Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) and Larry Russell (Harry Richardson), who reconciled at the Newport Ball but face trust issues, and Oscar van Rhijn’s (Blake Ritson) strategic engagement to Enid Winterton (Kelley Curran). The trailer hints at a “marriage season,” with Episode 1 likely advancing these relationships, possibly showing Marian and Larry navigating family opposition or Oscar planning his alliance. Gladys’ pregnancy, announced in the finale, may also feature, with her happiness contrasted against her parents’ strife.

Historical and Cultural Resonance

Set in the mid-1880s, Season 4 reflects the Gilded Age’s economic disparity and social flux, drawing parallels to the Vanderbilts’ rise. Bertha’s arc mirrors Alva Vanderbilt’s bold social maneuvers, particularly her push to normalize divorce, as Coon noted in TheWrap. Peggy’s story highlights the African-American experience, offering a rare lens on Black upward mobility. The trailer’s lavish visuals, courtesy of Emmy-winning production designer Bob Shaw, promise to amplify the era’s extravagance, with Episode 1 likely featuring a grand event—perhaps a Russell-hosted soiree—to showcase new conflicts.

The show’s social commentary, blending historical accuracy with soap-opera drama, resonates with modern audiences. Its 9.8/10 IMDb rating and critical acclaim, with Variety calling Season 3 “the best yet,” set high expectations for Season 4’s exploration of ambition, love, and betrayal.

Season 4’s Broader Narrative and Production

Episode 1 will set up Season 4’s key arcs: the Russell marriage crisis, Peggy’s engagement challenges, and the George shooting mystery. Other threads include Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) adjusting to Ada’s (Cynthia Nixon) household leadership and potential new characters, as ScreenRant suggests a “powerful new antagonist” may emerge. HBO’s renewal on July 28, 2025, ensures a robust production, with returning cast members like Coon, Spector, Benton, Jacobson, and Farmiga, and a likely late 2026 or early 2027 premiere due to filming schedules.

Fan Buzz and Expectations

X posts reflect fervent anticipation, with fans like @StacyH90 hoping for Bertha’s redemption and Peggy’s wedding, while others speculate about Jack and Bridget’s romance. The trailer’s tease of “scandals and heartbreak” has fueled theories about betrayals, with some predicting George’s return or a new rival for Bertha. The show’s ability to balance historical gravitas with emotional stakes keeps fans engaged, as seen in its 60% week-over-week social chatter increase.

Conclusion: A Dazzling Start to Season 4

The Gilded Age Season 4 Episode 1 promises a thrilling launch, with Bertha’s empire teetering, Peggy embracing love amidst challenges, and new romances like Jack and Bridget sparking hope. The trailer’s hints of scandal and heartbreak set the stage for a season of high-stakes drama in 1880s New York. As Fellowes reinvents the series, Episode 1 will captivate with its opulent visuals and emotional depth. Stream Seasons 1–3 on HBO Max and prepare for a 2026 premiere that will redefine high society.