HBO's Gilded Age: Season Analysis, Key Players, and Anticipated Events in Season 4
The Gilded Age, the critically acclaimed period drama created by Julian Fellowes, has been renewed for a fourth season by HBO. The series, which premiered in January 2022, has been praised for its stunning visuals, intricate social dynamics, and rich historical detail.
Season 4 will likely continue to explore late 1880s New York high society, focusing on the ongoing power struggles between old money and new money families.
Key potential plotlines for the upcoming season include Bertha Russell’s continuing ambitious attempts to control New York elite society, including social maneuvers involving her daughter’s marriage. Marian Brook may find herself at a crossroads between independence and love, while Peggy Scott's role as a journalist and activist is expected to grow, with civil rights, education reform, and clashes with white society playing a larger role.
The shifting power dynamics between Ada Brook and Agnes van Rhijn after Ada’s inheritance could also be a central theme. Fans of the show may recall the shocking death introduced in season 3, and the potential consequences and fallout from this event could deeply affect the characters’ lives and alliances.
Creator Julian Fellowes has remarked that each season must conclude satisfactorily but maintain an open-ended dynamic for further reinvention. This suggests that season 4 will both continue existing storylines and introduce new dramatic elements in line with the series’ evolving scope.
Returning main characters presumably include Bertha and George Russell, Ada Brook, Agnes van Rhijn, Marian Brook, Peggy Scott, and others central to the series’ intricate social and personal conflicts.
The Gilded Age is known for its stunning production design, powerful female leads, modern themes in a historical setting, top-tier ensemble cast, and real historical ties. The show may introduce historical figures like Teddy Roosevelt, Andrew Carnegie, or J.P. Morgan.
If renewed for Season 4, the show promises to deepen the stakes, introduce new power players, and continue HBO’s tradition of prestige drama with historical flair. Fans of Downton Abbey, Bridgerton, and Victoria may find a new obsession in The Gilded Age.
[1] Variety. (2025, July 28). The Gilded Age Renewed for Season 4 by HBO. Retrieved from [https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/the-gilded-age-season-4-hbo-1235103910/]
[2] TVLine. (2025, August 3). The Gilded Age Season 4: What We Know So Far. Retrieved from [https://tvline.com/2025/08/03/the-gilded-age-season-4-plot-cast-release-date-spoilers/]
[3] Deadline. (2025, August 5). The Gilded Age Season 4: Julian Fellowes Talks About What's Next. Retrieved from [https://deadline.com/2025/08/the-gilded-age-season-4-julian-fellowes-talks-about-whats-next-1235104005/]
[1] In the upcoming interviews for Season 4 of The Gilded Age, viewers can expect to delve into the behind-the-scenes process of creating the show's captivating narrative, from its stunning production design to its enthralling historical ties.
[2] For entertainment enthusiasts, Season 4 of The Gilded Age offers a rich tapestry of music, interviews, television, and engaging storylines sure to captivate a wide audience with its exploration of late 1800s New York high society, focused on the power struggles between old money and new money families.
