New York in 1882 was basically a construction site with better outfits. You've got the old-guard "knickerbockers" clinging to their dusty brownstones while the "new money" crowd literally tries to build palaces on top of them. HBO's The Gilded Age captures this perfectly, but honestly, it’s the Gilded Age cast season 1 that makes the whole thing feel like more than just a history lesson.
It’s not just about the corsets. Or the birds on hats. It’s about people like Bertha Russell, played by the terrifyingly brilliant Carrie Coon, who doesn't just want a seat at the table—she wants to buy the table, the chairs, and the house they're sitting in.
The Power Players: Bertha and George Russell
Let's talk about the Russells. Most period dramas give us a boring "evil tycoon" and his "long-suffering wife." Not here. Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell is a force of nature. She’s inspired by Alva Vanderbilt, a real-life social climber who eventually forced the Astors to acknowledge her existence. Coon plays her with this sharp, nervous energy. She’s never quite relaxed because she knows everyone is waiting for her to use the wrong fork.
Then you have Morgan Spector as George Russell.
Honestly? He’s the internet's favorite "Railroad Daddy" for a reason. Spector brings a weirdly modern swagger to a man who, let's be real, is a ruthless robber baron. He’ll ruin a man’s life before lunch and then come home to ask Bertha how her flower arrangements are going. Their chemistry is the actual engine of the show. Unlike most TV couples, they actually like each other. They’re a team. That’s rare.
💡 You might also like: Not the Nine O'Clock News: Why the Satirical Giant Still Matters
The Old Guard: Agnes and Ada
Across the street, things are... quieter. And much more judgmental. Christine Baranski plays Agnes van Rhijn, the self-appointed gatekeeper of 61st Street. Baranski is an absolute treat. Her voice drips with so much sarcasm it's a miracle the sets don't dissolve. She views anyone who made their money after the Mayflower landed as a sort of invading species.
But the secret weapon of the van Rhijn household is Cynthia Nixon as Aunt Ada.
You might know her as Miranda from Sex and the City, but forget that. Ada is soft, kind of "dopey" (as some critics said), but she’s the emotional heart of the house. While Agnes is busy protecting the family "purity," Ada is the one actually looking out for their niece, Marian Brook.
The Newcomers: Marian and Peggy
Louisa Jacobson makes her debut as Marian Brook, the penniless niece who moves in with her aunts. People often find Marian a bit "bland" compared to the high-energy Russells, and honestly, that’s fair. She’s the audience surrogate. She’s there to ask, "Wait, why can't I talk to the neighbors?" so the audience can understand the ridiculous rules of the time.
📖 Related: New Movies in Theatre: What Most People Get Wrong About This Month's Picks
The far more interesting newcomer is Denée Benton as Peggy Scott.
Peggy is a Black writer with a mysterious past, and she’s one of the few characters based on a world we rarely see in period dramas: the Black elite of Brooklyn. Benton actually worked with the show's creators to make sure Peggy felt authentic. She isn't just a sidekick; she has her own goals, her own wealthy family, and her own trauma. Her friendship with Marian is one of the few genuine bonds in a world of transactional relationships.
The Supporting Players You Forgot
The Gilded Age cast season 1 is massive. Like, "how do they pay all these people" massive. Here are a few standouts:
- Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell: She starts the season looking like a literal doll. Her mother won't let her "come out" into society until the timing is perfect. Watching her slowly realize that her parents are actually kind of terrifying is a trip.
- Blake Ritson as Oscar van Rhijn: He’s Agnes’s son, and he’s basically a charming disaster. He’s looking for a rich wife to hide the fact that he’s gay, which was a very real (and very stressful) reality for many men in the 1880s.
- Thomas Cocquerel as Tom Raikes: The lawyer from Pennsylvania. Most people found him a bit sketchy from day one. (Spoiler: They were right).
- The Staff: You can't have Julian Fellowes without an "upstairs-downstairs" vibe. Simon Jones (Bannister) and Jack Gilpin (Church) have a "butler-off" midway through the season that is peak television. It's just two grown men arguing over how to set a table, and it's gripping.
Why the Gilded Age Cast Season 1 Still Matters
We're obsessed with this cast because they represent a shift. Season 1 wasn't just about pretty dresses; it was about the moment America changed. The actors had to balance the stiff, formal language of the 19th century with emotions that feel real to us today.
👉 See also: A Simple Favor Blake Lively: Why Emily Nelson Is Still the Ultimate Screen Mystery
What People Get Wrong About the History
A lot of viewers think the Russells are just "fictional characters." While the names are made up, their actions are ripped from the headlines of the 1880s.
- The Ballroom War: Bertha’s struggle to get Mrs. Astor to her housewarming party? That actually happened to the Vanderbilts.
- The Train Crash: George Russell’s legal battle over a train derailment? Very typical of the "public be damned" attitude of real tycoons like Jay Gould.
- The Black Elite: People often think Peggy's storyline is "forced diversity." It’s actually the opposite. Historians like Dr. Erica Armstrong Dunbar (who consulted on the show) have pointed out that a thriving Black middle and upper class existed in New York at this time, but they were almost entirely erased from our history books.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of the Gilded Age cast season 1, don't just stop at the show.
- Look up Alva Vanderbilt: Once you see what she did to get into society, Bertha Russell will seem like a sweetheart.
- Visit the Newport Mansions: If you’re ever in Rhode Island, go to "The Breakers" or "Marble House." That’s where the real-life versions of these characters spent their summers. It puts the scale of the show into perspective.
- Watch the background actors: The show spent a fortune on costuming even the extras. In some scenes, there are over 100 people in historically accurate 1880s gear.
The first season sets the board. The actors give these historical archetypes a soul. Whether you’re rooting for the Russells to burn it all down or for Agnes to keep the gates closed, it’s the performances that keep us coming back.
To really appreciate the craft, go back and watch Episode 5, "Charity Has Two Functions." Watch the way Morgan Spector and Carrie Coon look at each other when they’re alone versus when they’re in public. It’s a masterclass in "power couple" acting.
Next time you watch, pay attention to the lighting in the Russell house versus the van Rhijn house. The Russells have "new-fangled" electricity, which makes everything bright and harsh. The van Rhijns stick to gaslight and candles—it’s softer, older, and fading away. Just like their way of life.