Julian Fellowes is back at it. If you’ve been doom-scrolling for updates on the Russell family’s social climbing or the Van Rhijn sisterly spats, take a breath. Production is officially churning for HBO The Gilded Age Season 3, and honestly, the stakes have never felt quite this high for the New York elite. The second season ended with that massive victory for Bertha Russell at the Metropolitan Opera House, effectively crushing Mrs. Astor’s Academy of Music. But in this world, winning one battle just means the next one is going to be even more vicious.
It's been a long wait.
The Gilded Age isn’t just about the dresses, though the silk taffeta budget alone probably rivals the GDP of a small country. It’s about the brutal, cold-blooded shift from "Old Money" to "New Money." We are looking at a 2025 or even early 2026 release window depending on how post-production shakes out, but the cast is already back in Newport and New York, filming scenes that promise to upend everything we thought we knew about the social hierarchy.
The Biggest Changes Coming to the Cast
Wait until you hear about the new faces. HBO recently confirmed some heavy hitters are joining the fray. Bill Camp—who you definitely remember from The Queen’s Gambit—is coming on as JP Morgan. Yes, that JP Morgan. Bringing a real-life historical titan into the mix suggests that the show is moving away from purely fictional social squabbles and leaning into the actual industrial powerhouses that built modern America.
We’re also getting Merritt Wever and Leslie Uggams. The addition of Uggams is particularly interesting because it hints at a deeper exploration of the Black elite in Brooklyn, a storyline that has been one of the show's most nuanced and strongest elements.
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Then there’s the loss. We have to talk about Luke Forte. Robert Sean Leonard’s character, the short-lived husband of Ada Brook, died at the end of Season 2. It was a gut punch. But his death left a massive twist: Ada is now incredibly wealthy. For two seasons, Cynthia Nixon’s character was the "poor relation" living under the thumb of her sister Agnes (Christine Baranski). Now? The tables have turned. Seeing Agnes have to answer to Ada is going to be the comedic and dramatic highlight of HBO The Gilded Age Season 3.
Where the Plot is Heading After the Opera Wars
Bertha Russell is a shark. Carrie Coon plays her with this terrifying, quiet intensity that makes you realize she’d burn the whole city down just to sit in the right chair. By winning the "Opera War," she didn’t just get a box at the Met; she fundamentally shifted the center of gravity in New York society.
But there’s a cost.
Remember the Duke of Buckingham? There’s a very strong theory—backed by historical parallels like the "Dollar Princesses"—that Bertha basically promised her daughter, Gladys, to the Duke in exchange for his presence at the Met’s opening night. George Russell (Morgan Spector) isn't going to like that. George is an industrialist who crushes unions for breakfast, but he actually loves his children. If Bertha sold Gladys’s happiness for a social win, we’re going to see a massive rift in the show’s most stable marriage.
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- The Van Rhijn House: Agnes is broke. Well, "Gilded Age broke," which means she can't afford her massive staff or the lifestyle she considers her birthright. Since Ada inherited the Forte fortune, the power dynamic in that brownstone is dead.
- Peggy Scott’s Journey: After leaving her job with Agnes to focus on her writing and activism, Peggy is moving into a new chapter. Denée Benton has hinted that Peggy will continue to navigate the complexities of being a professional Black woman in a world that is actively trying to suppress her voice.
- Marian and Larry: Finally. The slow burn is burning. After that kiss at the end of Season 2, fans are dying to see if Marian Brook and Larry Russell can actually make it work. Their families are literal enemies. It’s very Romeo and Juliet, but with more corsets and fewer daggers.
Real History vs. Scripted Drama
One of the coolest things about this show is how it weaves in real people. We’ve already seen Ward McAllister and Mrs. Astor. By bringing in JP Morgan for HBO The Gilded Age Season 3, the show is signaling a shift toward the "Titans of Industry" era.
Historically, this was a time of massive labor unrest. We saw a bit of that with George’s strike plotline in Season 2, but the real 1880s were defined by the Haymarket Riot and the formation of powerful unions. Expect the show to lean harder into the "Gilded" part of the title—the idea that all this gold and glitter is just a thin veneer covering up a lot of social rot and suffering.
Basically, the show is growing up. It started as a "Downton Abbey in America," but it's becoming something much more focused on the specific, cutthroat nature of American capitalism.
What to Watch While You Wait
If you’re feeling the withdrawal, you’re not alone. Production for a show of this scale is massive. They use real locations like The Breakers and Marble House in Newport, Rhode Island. These places are museums now, so filming schedules have to be incredibly precise.
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Honestly, the best thing to do is dive into the actual history. Read The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton or check out the biography of Alva Vanderbilt. Bertha Russell is largely based on Alva, and if the show follows Alva’s real-life trajectory, Season 3 is going to be absolutely scandalous. Alva was the one who forced her daughter into a loveless marriage with the Duke of Marlborough. If Julian Fellowes sticks to that script, Gladys Russell is in for a very rough year.
Actionable Steps for Fans
To stay ahead of the curve and ensure you're ready for the premiere of HBO The Gilded Age Season 3, there are a few things you should keep an eye on right now.
First, follow the Newport Mansions' social media accounts. Since a huge chunk of the show is filmed at Preservation Society of Newport County properties, they often post updates when the "circus" comes to town. It’s the best way to catch accidental glimpses of the new costumes before HBO releases official stills.
Second, re-watch the Season 2 finale specifically focusing on the background characters. Fellowes is famous for planting "Easter eggs" in the dialogue of servants that pay off two seasons later. Pay attention to Jack and his alarm clock invention; that's likely going to turn into a "New Money" success story that mirrors the industrial giants.
Lastly, keep a pulse on the official HBO Max pressroom. They usually drop the first teaser trailer roughly four to five months before the premiere date. Given the current filming cycle, look for a "First Look" video around late summer 2025. This will give you the first confirmed footage of the Russell vs. Van Rhijn fallout.
The transition from the 1880s into the 1890s is coming. It’s a time of rapid change, and in the world of the show, those who don’t adapt—like Agnes van Rhijn—risk becoming footnotes in history. Whether you're here for the historical accuracy or the sheer audacity of the hats, the third season is shaping up to be the show's definitive moment.