Period piece drama fans were thrilled in 2022 when Julian Fellowes — the man behind Downton Abbey — brought another historical obsession to screens. With The Gilded Age season 2 release date, the story continued.
In The Gilded Age season 1, we followed Marian Brook in 19th-century New York City. The next chapter of one of HBO's best TV series has now joined the collection of everything new on Max, so here's everything you need to know.
Who's in The Gilded Age season 2 cast?
Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, Louisa Jacobson, and Carrie Coon all returned to The Gilded Age cast in season 2.
Only Thomas Cocquerel, who played Tom Raikes, is a season 1 regular who didn't return. Season 2 had additions to the roster, too. The new talent included Laura Benanti, Robert Sean Leonard, Christopher Denham, David Furr, Ben Lamb, Matilda Lawler, Dakin Mathews, Michael Braugher, and Nicole Brydon Bloom as guest stars.
Another surprising addition to the regulars was Rebeca Haden, who briefly appeared in season 1 as the mysterious Flora McNeil. A total of 13 recurring characters were bumped up to series regulars for season 2.
Here's the Gilded Age season 2 cast list:
- Christine Baranski as Agnes Van Rhijn
- Cynthia Nixon as Ada Brook
- Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook
- Blake Ritson as Oscar Van Rhijn
- Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell
- Morgan Spector as George Russell
- Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell
- Harry Richardson as Larry Russell
- Denée Benton as Peggy Scott
- Simon Jones as Bannister
- Jack Gilpin as Church
- Rebeca Haden as Flora McNeil
- Robert Sean Leonard as Reverend Matthew Forte
- Laura Benanti as Susan Blane
- Nicole Brydon Bloom as Caroline Stuyvesant
- Michael Braugher as Booker T. Washington
- Christopher Denham as Robert McNeil
- David Furr as Dashiell Montgomery
- Ben Lamb The Duke of Buckingham
- Matilda Lawler as Frances Montgomery
- Dakin Mathews as Mr Winterton
- Taylor Richardson as Bridget
- Donna Murphy as Mrs. Astor
- Debra Monk as Armstrong
- Celia Keenan-Bolger as Mrs. Bruce
- Erin Wilhelmi as Adelheid Weber
- Patrick Page as Richard Claym
- Kristine Nielsen as Mrs. Bauer
- Sullivan Jones as T. Thomas Fortune
- Ben Ahlers as Jack Trotter
- Kelley Curran as Turner
- Kelli O'Hara as Aurora Fane
- Douglas Sills as Baudin
- Michael Cerveris as Watson
The Gilded Age season 2 release date and reviews
The Gilded Age season 2 premiered on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and will drop weekly. Episodes will also stream weekly on Max. HBO Sunday nights are back, baby!
So far, the reviews have been pretty positive for the newest season, with many saying it's an improvement on the first. For example, Kristen Baldwin from Entertainment Weekly wrote: "After a lengthy break, The Gilded Age returns for a second season that amplifies the historical intrigue and lavish melodrama while delivering a gratifying dose of opulent escapism."
Meanwhile, Lacy Baugher Milas from Paste Magazine wrote: "The Gilded Age Season 2 represents a marked improvement over the series' first outing and concludes by leaving enough dangling plot threads to point the way to an even stronger third season."
What is The Gilded Age season 2 about?
The Gilded Age season 2 follows Bertha as she challenges Mrs. Astor and the old system to not only gain standing in High Society but perhaps take a leading role in it.
In the first season, we saw the battle between old and new money rocking American society. Season 2 begins on Easter morning, 1883, with the news that Bertha's request for a box at the Academy of Music has been denied.
In the trailer, we hear Ward McAllister say, "Mrs Russell… are you sure it's wise to start a war with New York society?" Meanwhile, George is forced to deal with expanding unionization at his steel plant.
We also learned in season one that Peggy's baby is alive after all and that her father fabricated the child's death. Peggy and her mother have headed to Philadelphia to search for her son, and this plot thread will undoubtedly be a major point in season 2.
Is there a The Gilded Age Season 2 trailer?
The first The Gilded Age season 2 trailer was released on August 23, 2023, with another following on October 10.
The first trailer showed us glimpses of the characters we know and love, as well as some new faces. We also see Bertha continuing her plans to seed some disarray in high society.
The second was a more intense trailer, showing Marian secretly teaching at a girls' school. And to our surprise, Ada begins a new courtship, admitting she never thought she'd fall in love again. You can watch both trailers above and below.
Where can I watch The Gilded Age season 2?
In the US, you can watch season 2 of The Gilded Age weekly on HBO on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET, or stream it on Max.
In the UK, you will find it on Now TV or Sky Atlantic. Keep in mind that a Max subscription will be needed to watch the series on that streaming service, and Now TV and Sky Atlantic are not free either; you'll need a Now TV pass or a Sky subscription.
How many episodes does The Gilded Age season 2 have?
There are eight episodes in The Gilded Age season 2, one fewer than season 1.
Season 2 will have almost the same number of episodes as the first season. We're not sure why they've dropped one, but eight should be plenty to bring the drama.
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