‘The Gilded Age’ – ‘Season One’ – Review
When Julian Fellowes, the maestro behind Downton Abbey, announced his next grand period saga, expectations were high—and The Gilded Age doesn’t just meet them, it throws on a bustle, struts down Fifth Avenue, and declares itself the belle of the HBO ball.
Set in 1880s New York; a time of seismic social change, ruthless ambition, and garish wealth, The Gilded Age is a visually intoxicating dive into the clash between old money tradition and new money disruption. The satire is ten times sharper and ten times more dangerous in its social politicking.
At the centre of the storm? Two women locked in a cold war of corseted elegance. On one side, we have Christine Baranski as Agnes van Rhijn, the icy matriarch of old New York. Baranski, in full dragon-lady form, is regal, razor-tongued, and an utter scene-stealer. Every withering glance and arch remark she delivers is weaponised; her disdain for the nouveau riche could curdle milk. On the other, there’s the indomitable Bertha Russell, played with thunderous charisma by Carrie Coon, a steel-spined social climber whose husband George (Morgan Spector) is a railroad tycoon ready to buy, and bulldoze, his way into the aristocracy.
Carrie Coon absolutely owns this show. Bertha is the ultimate social tactician: relentless, seductive, and willing to play the long game. Whether she’s orchestrating a society ball with militaristic precision or outmanoeuvring her foes with a venom-laced smile, Bertha is a marvel to behold. She’s not just fighting for a seat at the table; she’s flipping the table over and building a better one.
Fellowes, in classic fashion, populates the series with a sprawling ensemble that feels both intimate and epic. Taissa Farmiga brings a subdued charm to Marian Brook, a young woman navigating her own place within the social labyrinth, while Denée Benton’s Peggy Scott, a Black writer from Brooklyn, is a revelation. Peggy’s storyline, a woman of color pushing against the twin walls of race and gender in a white, patriarchal world—is not just progressive for a period drama, it’s essential, and Benton delivers it with poise and quiet fire.
But let’s talk about the look. The Gilded Age is dripping in luxury—from the jaw-dropping mansions of Fifth Avenue to the frothy, French couture gowns that would make Marie Antoinette weep. This isn’t just costume drama, it’s fashion warfare. Every piece of taffeta, every gold-plated bannister, every chandelier sparkles; it all screams of the lavish power provided by the HBO brand, and it’s a glorious scream.
Beyond the visual splendour, the series thrives on its razor-sharp script and acidic wit. Fellowes knows how to weaponise etiquette like few others. Every tea party is a battlefield. Every dinner invitation is a social landmine. The power dynamics are deliciously complex, and the pacing, while measured, is deeply rewarding. It’s less concerned with shock twists and more with long-term payoff, and by the end of the season, it’s clear: the war for New York society has only just begun.
Of course, it wouldn’t be The Gilded Age without the juxtaposition of upstairs/downstairs lives, and the downstairs cast—housekeepers, footmen, maids are more than just scenery. Their lives intersect with the drama upstairs in meaningful, emotionally grounded ways, providing moments of tenderness and rebellion amid the grandiosity.
Some may find the early episodes slow to ignite; there’s a lot of name-dropping and exposition, but stick with it. The tension simmers, the stakes rise, and when the gloves finally come off, especially between Baranski and Coon, it’s utterly delicious.
Season One of The Gilded Age is prestige television in the grandest sense—swooning, stylish, and savagely smart. It’s a visual feast and a character-driven triumph, anchored by powerhouse performances and whip-smart writing. Fellowes has crafted a world where power is fashion, etiquette is war, and ambition is the deadliest sin of all. With Season Two already out and building steam, now’s the perfect time to binge this jewel of a debut.
Season One of The Gilded Age is currently streaming on SKY TV and NEON.
Image: SKY TV
