The third season of The Gilded Age premieres June 22 on HBO, and it wastes no time drawing comparisons between the ruthless industrialists of the 19th century and today’s tech billionaires. During the Season 3 premiere event at the Tribeca Festival, HBO and Max Content chairman Casey Bloys commented, “I’ll take railroad daddy over Elon Musk,” referring to the show’s fictional railroad tycoon George Russell, played by Morgan Spector.
Parallels Between Then and Now
Julian Fellowes, creator of The Gilded Age, acknowledged the uncanny parallels between the past and present. “If they had rockets back then, they would have raced to the moon,” he joked, noting how 19th-century ambition mirrors today’s billionaire space race. While he refrained from naming Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos directly, the message was clear.
Christine Baranski, who portrays the sharp-tongued Aunt Agnes, reflected on the legacy of the real-life “robber barons.” Despite their corruption and manipulation of politics, they also built cultural landmarks like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Carnegie Hall. “They used their wealth for society’s benefit,” she said.
Season 3 Storyline: Power, Sacrifice, and Social Change
According to the official synopsis, Season 3 focuses on the Russells’ rise to social dominance after the Opera War. Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon) aims to elevate her family to new heights, while George risks it all on a bold railroad move. Tensions escalate within the household as Agnes refuses to acknowledge Ada’s (Cynthia Nixon) new authority. Meanwhile, Peggy (Denée Benton) encounters social resistance when meeting a new suitor’s family.
Set during a time of vast economic and social transformation, the new season explores themes of ambition, resistance, and sacrifice, echoing today’s political and cultural divisions.
The Power of Serialized Storytelling
Carrie Coon expressed appreciation for HBO’s weekly release format. “It builds community,” she said, contrasting the approach with binge-watching. “Storytelling helps us cope with whatever’s coming—which won’t be easy.”
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Louisa Jacobson, who plays Marion Brook, praised the setting’s historical accuracy. “It was a transformative era—electricity, steam heating, public sanitation—it all came alive,” she said. Cynthia Nixon, with a grim nod, added, “And it’s all about to be taken away.”
A Tribute to Theater Talent
The series, filmed in New York, has hired over 160 Broadway actors. Bloys noted the show’s importance as a creative outlet during the pandemic and writers’ strike. “It became a lifeline,” he said. Christine Baranski also reflected on the close-knit cast: “It’s like a theater repertory company.”
Fellowes declined to confirm a fourth season or a potential film adaptation. “That’s how these interviews work,” he said. “We talk a lot and reveal little.”
