Max’s The Gilded Age is a star-studded spectacle from the creative mind that brought to our screens Downton Abbey. It’s slower than most period dramas, and the stakes are relatively low throughout the two seasons thus far, but Julian Fellowes’ latest series is a must-watch for fans of the romance genre or historical series.
Specifically, if you’re someone who couldn’t get into Downton Abbey and, therefore, are hesitant to start The Gilded Age, know that I was right there with you. The former was near impossible despite my many attempts to watch, even when I’m a big fan of period pieces, but the latter was effortless.
1. The Performances in The Gilded Age Are Impeccable
Christine Baranski is enough of a viable reason to watch anything, but the legend is tremendous in her role as Agnes van Rhijn. Striking brilliantly in every scene with the most relatable (and gif-worthy) reactions while later flipping a switch and digging into such vulnerability that it’s entirely noteworthy. And Baranski isn’t the only one bringing masterful performances left and right. From Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector to Cynthia Nixon, Denée Benton, and Louisa Jacobson, each actor is pristinely cast in their respective roles.
A show like The Gilded Age is going to rely heavily on its actors to bring to life screenplays that could feel too niche and stylistic for people who aren’t fans of period dramas. It’s up to them to add layers and nuances to make the characters memorable long after the credits role.
And, also, it’s up to them to remind viewers that on and off screen, the stars care about their series. In other words, Morgan Spector owns a Bertha shirt, which basically tells us that he respects the role as much as George Russell respects his on-screen wife. (This photo should be enough reason to make everyone, and I mean everyone, watch the show. Let it also be known that it’s taking everything in me not to make this entire list about said photo.)
2. The Romance Sizzles
While we’re on the topic of George Russell, is there anything better in the romance genre than a “my wife” man? No, no, there is not. For the sake of keeping this spoiler-free, the only thing I’ll say is that no one could prepare for how intensely George Russell loves his wife, Coon’s Bertha Russell. There’s nothing, and I quite literally mean nothing, he wouldn’t do to see her happy. Whatever barrier stands in his way, he’ll break it. If someone tries to counter him, he won’t hesitate to shut them down. The man is down so bad and in so deep that he can’t see anything beyond Bertha’s existence. Oh, but wait, he wants his daughter to have a love match in a society that forces arranged marriages—that’s enough to tell us what kind of a man he is.
At the same time, the youngest Russell, Larry (Harry Richardson), also gets a love match, moving toward a sweet friends-to-lovers romance with Richardson’s Marian Brook. In 2024, it’s never easy to tell when viewers are being gaslighted to believe a romance will end happily. And Fellowes’ streek with Downton Abbey isn’t exactly promising, but…what we do get is worth the potential heartache we might endure. (A heartache we hopefully won’t have to experience, but I’m often preparing for the worst these days.) As I frequently like to note, Larry Russell is the kind of man Taylor Swift talks about in “Slut!” Do with that what you will.
3. The Pacing Is Astounding
What’s so ingenious about The Gilded Age is how such a slow stake series keeps viewers consistently engaged. In large part, yes, it’s because of the performers. The romance also helps. But there’s something else that’s so ridiculously hard to pinpoint, something that I haven’t seen in years. The moment it immerses a viewer into a world of high maintenance and petty competition, it glides us through each narrative in breathtaking fashion. There’s a rhythmic flow in the plot, and though Season 1 doesn’t master this quite as well, Season 2 manages it remarkably.
The story arcs of new money versus old take the viewers through one ascend after another, never once leaving a character stuck in a place that feels redundant. And even when it feels like nothing is happening, everything is happening. It doesn’t waste any time from a big dramatic blow in Season 1 to find its way into Season 2 while taking the characters to a whole new place mentally and physically.
4. The Characterizations Feel Organic
For a series that centers around a somewhat superficial narrative, the character journeys in The Gilded Age feel incredibly organic. We aren’t just dealing with the wealthy, but we’re watching Black women and men navigate through the threats set against them by crappy people. We’re watching people lose, win, and fall into slumps where there’s no real way for them to get up and move forward yet. We’re going through voyages that feel incredibly relatable to the present day, even though we’re decades in the past.
There’s development in almost every frame, with characters who feel both familiar and refreshing. It’s easy to watch and root for their successes (even when they maybe shouldn’t get said wish—but it’s Bertha Russell; I’d give her everything, too). No one feels misplaced or brought on to fill screen time; instead, they contribute to the narrative in ways that allow them to drive the story consistently.
5. It Scratches the Period Drama Itch
Good, engaging period dramas are hard to come by, even when it feels like there’s maybe an influx of them. But today, we’ve at least got shows like The Gilded Age and The Buccaneers to signal to executives that viewers want more. While the series might not be an outright historical romance adaptation like Bridgerton, it still scratches the itch necessary with riveting characters, gorgeous costumes, impeccable set designs, stunning music, delicious romances, and engaging story arcs.
And again, once more with feeling—George and Bertha Russell’s marriage. A solid, steady marriage is rare in most genres. We often see the start of a relationship, but much of it ends after couples say “I do.” Yet, with these two—we get it all: the good, the bad, the ugly, the tenderness, the vulnerability, the heat, and the loyalty.
The Gilded Age Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on Max with a renewal for Season 3 already announced.
