OMG, The Gilded Age Season 4 is Coming, and It’s Going to Break Hearts! 😱

The glittering world of 1880s New York is back with more scandal, betrayal, and jaw-dropping gowns than ever before. Carrie Coon’s Bertha Russell is fighting for her empire, but whispers from the set hint at a shocking twist that could tear her world apart. And Denée Benton’s Peggy Scott? Let’s just say her story is about to steal the spotlight in a way you won’t see coming. Will love triumph, or will high society crush their dreams? The trailer teases secrets that’ll leave you speechless…

The opulent world of The Gilded Age is set to return for a fourth season, and anticipation is soaring as HBO prepares to transport viewers back to the lavish, cutthroat society of 1880s New York. Created by Julian Fellowes, the mastermind behind Downton Abbey, the series has captivated audiences with its blend of historical intrigue, sumptuous costumes, and interpersonal drama. With Season 3’s finale leaving fans on edge with cliffhangers—like George Russell’s near-fatal shooting and Peggy Scott’s romantic triumph—the announcement of Season 4 has sparked fervent speculation. Starring powerhouse performers like Carrie Coon as the ambitious Bertha Russell and Denée Benton as the trailblazing Peggy Scott, the show promises to escalate its stakes. Here’s everything we know about The Gilded Age Season 4, from cast updates to potential plotlines, and why it’s poised to be the most thrilling chapter yet.

A Renewal Rooted in Success

HBO confirmed The Gilded Age Season 4 on July 28, 2025, a testament to the show’s growing cultural footprint. Season 3 saw a 20% increase in premiere-night viewership over Season 2, with social media engagement spiking nearly 60% week-over-week, according to HBO reports. The series has also earned critical acclaim, with 64 award nominations, including six Emmy nods for Season 2, cementing its status as a prestige drama. Francesca Orsi, HBO’s executive vice president, praised Fellowes and the cast for creating “can’t-miss entertainment,” promising a “thrilling” Season 4 that will continue exploring the grand ambitions of its characters.

The show’s appeal lies in its ability to weave fictional narratives with historical context, depicting the clash between old-money elites and nouveau riche families like the Russells. Set against the backdrop of America’s Gilded Age—a period of rapid industrialization and stark inequality—the series examines themes of class, race, gender, and ambition. Season 3’s interrogation of societal prejudices, from racial discrimination to the exclusion of divorcées, suggests Season 4 will deepen this exploration, potentially reflecting parallels to modern inequalities.

Returning Cast and New Faces

While HBO has not officially announced the Season 4 cast, the main ensemble is expected to return, given their centrality to the narrative. Carrie Coon will likely reprise her role as Bertha Russell, the indomitable social climber whose victory in the Opera War solidified her status. Morgan Spector’s George Russell, who survived a gunshot wound in Season 3, is also expected back, though his strained marriage to Bertha will be a focal point. Other probable returnees include Christine Baranski as the old-money matriarch Agnes van Rhijn, Cynthia Nixon as Ada Brook (now Forte), Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook, Denée Benton as Peggy Scott, Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell, and Harry Richardson as Larry Russell.

Notably, Claybourne Elder’s John Adams will not return, following his character’s tragic death in Season 3, struck by a horse carriage in a gut-wrenching twist. New cast members from Season 3, such as Phylicia Rashad (Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkland), Brian Stokes Mitchell (Frederick Kirkland), and Jordan Donica (Dr. William Kirkland), may reappear, especially given Dr. Kirkland’s engagement to Peggy Scott in the finale. However, no new additions for Season 4 have been confirmed, leaving room for surprises—perhaps more historical figures like J.P. Morgan, who joined Season 3 as a formidable foe to George.

Plot Speculation: Love, Power, and Betrayal

Season 3’s finale set the stage for a dramatic Season 4. Bertha Russell achieved her social pinnacle, hosting a must-attend ball and securing her daughter Gladys’ marriage, only to face a devastating blow: George’s declaration that he may no longer love her. Their fractured marriage, strained by Bertha’s ruthless ambition—particularly her decision to prioritize status over Gladys’ wishes—will likely drive much of Season 4’s emotional core. Carrie Coon hinted to The Hollywood Reporter that Bertha’s “wheels are already turning” to fix her marriage, but her self-serving nature may complicate reconciliation. George, meanwhile, survived an assassination attempt, but the unknown assailant’s identity suggests lingering threats to his railroad empire.

Across the street, the van Rhijn household faces its own upheaval. Agnes van Rhijn, played by Baranski, begrudgingly accepted Ada’s new role as head of the household after Ada inherited wealth from her late husband, Luke Forte. This power shift could spark tension between the sisters, with Agnes’ pride clashing with Ada’s newfound authority. Marian Brook and Larry Russell reconciled after a tepid Season 3 romance, hinting at a rekindled engagement, while Oscar van Rhijn’s proposal to the cunning Mrs. Winterton (Kelley Curran) promises a strategic alliance fraught with ulterior motives.

Peggy Scott’s arc is poised to shine. Her engagement to Dr. William Kirkland, sealed in a romantic proposal before Black Newport society, marks a triumphant moment for the journalist and suffragette. Denée Benton told TV Line that filming Peggy’s pivotal scenes felt “bigger than me,” reflecting the character’s role in depicting Black resilience. Season 4 may explore Peggy’s wedding plans and her continued fight against racial barriers, possibly under the mentorship of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, introduced in Season 3.

The show’s historical grounding suggests Season 4 will weave in more real-life figures and events, much like J.P. Morgan’s appearance or the Opera War’s basis in actual Gilded Age rivalries. Themes of divorce, social exclusion, and ambition’s cost—foreshadowed in Season 3’s trailer—will likely intensify, with Bertha potentially advocating for divorced women’s acceptance as a self-serving power play.

Release Date and Production

HBO has not announced a premiere date for Season 4, but the production cycle offers clues. Season 1 debuted in January 2022, Season 2 in October 2023, and Season 3 in June 2025, following delays from writers’ and actors’ strikes. With an 18-month production cycle, Season 4 is speculated to arrive in late 2026 or early 2027. No trailer has been released, as filming has not yet begun, but HBO’s confidence in the show’s viewership suggests a robust marketing push closer to production.

Why Season 4 Matters

The Gilded Age resonates because it mirrors today’s societal divides. The late 19th century’s extreme wealth inequality—where the top 1% owned over 30% of U.S. assets—parallels modern debates about billionaires and economic disparity. The show’s nuanced portrayal of race, through Peggy Scott’s journey, and gender, through Bertha’s defiance of patriarchal norms, invites reflection on persistent inequities. Yet, it avoids preaching, wrapping its commentary in lavish drama and sharp dialogue.

Season 3’s critical success, with reviewers praising its confrontation of prejudices, sets a high bar. Carrie Coon’s Bertha, a complex blend of ruthlessness and vulnerability, embodies the era’s contradictions—admired for her ambition yet critiqued for its human cost. Denée Benton’s Peggy offers a lens into Black excellence, her engagement to Dr. Kirkland symbolizing hope amid adversity. Season 4’s promise lies in balancing these personal stakes with broader societal shifts, all while delivering the visual splendor fans crave.

What to Expect

While plot details remain under wraps, Fellowes’ approach—crafting seasons with satisfactory conclusions yet open-ended possibilities—ensures Season 4 will reinvent itself. Expect more lavish balls, intricate power plays, and emotional reckonings. Will Bertha and George reconcile, or will their marriage crumble under ambition’s weight? Can Peggy and Dr. Kirkland navigate societal pushback? And how will Agnes adapt to her diminished role? These questions, paired with Fellowes’ knack for historical authenticity, guarantee a season that’s both escapist and thought-provoking.

Conclusion

The Gilded Age Season 4 is shaping up to be a pivotal chapter, with Carrie Coon and Denée Benton leading a stellar cast through a maze of ambition, love, and betrayal. As HBO’s period drama continues to break viewership records and earn critical praise, its blend of historical insight and soapy drama ensures it remains a cultural touchstone. While we await a trailer and release date, the promise of more gowns, scandals, and societal upheaval has fans buzzing. Keep an eye on HBO Max for updates, and prepare to dive back into a world where every victory comes at a cost.