Fans are obsessed with the third season of The Gilded Age after hailing it ‘everything they could have hoped for’.
The show, from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, immerses viewers in the upper echelons of New York society at the turn of the 19th century, where wealth, status and scandal ruled supreme.
The Emmy-nominated series has had a rocky time since it was first announced in 2012. Almost eight years later, it had to shut down production just days before filming the first season when the pandemic started.
Then, in 2024, one of the lead stars Carrie Coon (The White Lotus) admitted there was a strong sense that the HBO show may not even return at all – ultimately she credited the fans with saving the show.
Reflecting on the time before season two, the actor told Deadline: ‘We were on the bubble. We really didn’t think we were going to come back. Our options had lapsed. It looked very unlikely, but it was the streaming.
‘It was the number of people watching the show and loving the show.’
Then, in February 2025, she reiterated that the show had been in perilous waters. ‘The gays saved it,’ Coon joked with Entertainment Tonight. ‘Thank you, right now, you saved it. We would not have a season three without you.’
After a one-and-a-half-year wait, fans finally sank their teeth into a brand new season and, with its rejuvented success, can look forward to a confirmed fourth season as well.
As usual, we will see tensions boil as old and new money clash with Coon’s character Bertha returning alongside Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, Morgan Spector, Louisa Jacobson, Denée Benton, Taissa Farmiga.
The synopsis for the third season reads: ‘Bertha sets her sights on a prize that would elevate the family to unimaginable heights while George risks everything on a gambit that could revolutionise the railroad industry — if it doesn’t ruin him first.
‘Across the street, the Brook household is thrown into chaos as Agnes refuses to accept Ada’s new position as lady of the house. As all of New York hastens toward the future, their ambition may come at the cost of what they truly hold dear.’
Aka… salacious drama, what’s not to love?
The eighth and final episode landed on Sunday night, with viewers who have been holding out until the end finally switch their brains off and binge all the episodes.
And, you’re in for a wild ride.
‘It’s slop, but it’s magnificent slop,’ Han T wrote in a five-star review for Rotten Tomatoes.
‘This show continues to get stronger with each season. Aside from the excellent writing, the show’s authenticity to the time period through production design, sets, and costumes is a nice touch. Many plot seeds that were planted before finally come to fruition,’ Eddie S shared.
‘The Gilded Age writers’ room after writing line after line of impeccable dialogue for every single actor in today’s episode… Absolute masterclass,’ X user ShreyaPahwa wrote.
‘Just finished the episode — it was so intense and uncomfortable. Some were happy, some were heartbroken. Such a powerful start. Now I can’t wait for the next one. Every single scene had me hooked!’ jxsecrett said.
‘The Season 3 premiere of The Gilded Age was everything I could’ve hoped for. The emotions, the one-liners, the setup—all of it. We’re in for such a ride for the next seven weeks,’ Gissane Sophia added.
‘The Gilded Age is back and it’s still amazing,’ Grumpyduck declared.
‘The Gilded Age is truly terrific. Egos grow & power shifts in 1880s New York high society,’ Anthony Shannon echoed.
The new season had already raked in rave reviews ahead of its premiere.
Variety has praised it as the ‘best season yet’.
‘The Gilded Age no longer feels torn between ogling the past and honouring its flaws. Three seasons in, it’s on firmer footing than ever,’ the review continued.
Roger Egbert said the new season ‘dazzles and delights’, and Slate said the ‘new season is peppered with twists and scandal, heartbreak and horror – and, of course, more extravagant hats than Churchill Downs has ever seen.’
For those still needing to catch up, there are plenty of glowing reviews of seasons past from fans as well.
‘Awesome interweaving of real-life events and characters make this show exceptional and the acting is stellar. The most sumptuous costumes and sets I have ever seen top it off; it is a veritable feast for the eyes,’ Google reviews user Fleur Purdeu said.
‘If you’re a fan of Downton Abbey, Selfridges, or Poldark then this is absolutely a must-see. One of my favorite things about this show is the world-building and how it offers an intricately detailed glimpse into a period of American history that seems long forgotten, yet was an undeniably defining turning point in society,’ Michael Swenson added.
‘This show has a great build-up and gets so juicy!!’ Angel Russell teased.
Although some have also called it ‘amateurish’ and ‘predicatable’ so be warned that this may not be to everyone’s taste.
The Gilded Age seasons one, two and three are available to stream in full on Sky and NOW.
A version of this article was first published on June 23, 2025.
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