The Gilded Age (2022– ) User Reviews

Love this drama

[mrsjond-46656 · 9/10 · 18 December 2023]

Really enjoyed watching this drama and hope they continue to season 3. Characters are intriguing and interesting. My favourites are Miss Ada and Marion as well as a soft spot for Agnes. There are characters you can love and hate. Really had no idea about the con Oscar would fall for and hope that a comeuppance will occur. If you liked downtown abbey then this is a must.

I am really holding a hope for Marion and Larry in the romantic sense as well as Gladys eventually standing up to her mother. The one storyline I wish they would develop more and give her a story she deserves is Peggy Scott as well as I wish the we find out that Marion's railway shares are not worthless and build a story round that as well.

Hilarious period dramedy

[shane1181 · 9/10 · 9 February 2022]

Downton Abbey was about upstairs/downstairs affairs in the UK, while this dramedy is about old money/new money in America.

I found the writing hilarious. It's a dry, witty drama with many laugh out loud moments, although one needs to listen closely to notice them. This is not in your face, but subtle.

The costumes are gorgeous and the acting superb, as you'd expect from HBO and the big names involved.

Some of the previous reviewers commented that they didn't like how woke the show was, but I didn't notice that. As far as I could tell, gender and race issues are treated with historical accuracy.

I love this new show and can't wait for more episodes.

It's not Downton Abbey, and that's a good thing

[vandalz · 8/10 · 14 December 2023]

There are a metric ton of poor reviews for the Gilded Age, most of which seem disappointed that it's not Downton Abbey. Of course it's not. Nor is it Gosford Park, Belgravia, The English Game, Doctor Thorne, nor any number of other series and movies that the Baron Fellowes of West Stafford has written or produced.

The Gilded Age is best reviewed as a stand-alone series, and not any sort of spin-off or successor to the immensely successful Downton Abbey. Yes, the costumes and sets are spectacular, and the casting is sublime, led by the magnificent Carrie Coon (not "Coons", good grief. If you're going to put down her acting, the very least you can do is spell her name correctly). Other standouts are Morgan Spector, as robber baron. George Russell, and the always entertaining Nathan Lane, Cynthia Nixon and particularly Christine Baranski, as the witty, but sharp tongued Aunt Agnes.

It's not necessarily the best show on television, but it's far from the worst, and an easy binge watch, with consecutive story arcs that are well conceived and written. It's not historical drama, it's a costume drama, with a superb cast, and tightly scripted dialogue. It's not Downton Abbey, nor does it pretend to be. It is, however, a peek into the extravagant lives of the very rich in Post Civil War America.

I love New York

[mbazhome · 10/10 · 15 December 2023]

I'm really enjoying this show. Don't know what took me so long to start watching it, but here it is December 2023 and I've started watching season one. I love period dramas and this one is no exception. Most of the period pieces are British which is great but a New York point of view is refreshing, The best part about this show is that it's not a slow burn. Something happens in every episode. I am so tired of Netflix slow burns where nothing happens and an 8 episode series could boil down to one or two episodes.. This one keeps me interested. I really enjoy the costumes. Wow the dresses are just gorgeous and the homes and furnishings are beautiful. I mean could you imagine having money and living in a time like that.

The crumbling of manners in New York city...

[DukeEman · 8/10 · 16 February 2022]

Julian Fellowes' mighty pen is back (and even more cheekier) in this lavish production. This time dealing with aristocratic socialite snobbery of the ugly kind, ruthless business affairs, political sabotaging, hidden homosexual relationships, racial prejudices, and society control freaks. (But I'm sure there is more after only viewing three episodes.)

And we're talking about the year - 1882! A radical period in New York upper-society with the changing of the guard among the wealthy, and the young radical breed coming into play. All carried out in the delicious Fellowian style. With snappy and sassy dialogue, infused with a grand soap opera worthy of a Verdi music score.

Wonderful!

[jrigler-52145 · 9/10 · 10 February 2022]

What's not to like? Fabulous sets, beautiful and authentic costumes, Broadway actors, and an intriguing story line. This isn't something to over-analyze; just enjoy it!!

Phenomenal cast and twisty tales!

[PsychPhD · 10/10 · 18 December 2023]

Love this story line. The cast of characters with focus on the hot tempered Mrs. Russell and Aunt Agnes, two very different people from different sides of the street per se, yet so similar in so many ways. The stubbornness to stand their ground in their beliefs to uphold their standards of living. One from a time silly being forgotten and the other making a point to bring New York into modern times.

Being able to see the struggles of the rich and powerful, to the adversities of the poor and the black citizens of old America that still have some presence in today's society is all put together in this extremely well put together series!

Amazing show with enticing storylines

[kjkbhill · 9/10 · 20 December 2023]

The Gilded Age is a phenomenal drama with a wonderful cast. The setting of NYC in the Gilded Age touches on a bygone era that is well portrayed for all social classes during that time. The cast are all superb. The characters are rich and interesting from the upper class to the working class. I love the interactions between sisters, Ada and Agnes. The injection of historical events of the time into the show allows for viewers to see what the world around these characters was like during this time period. The attention to detail in architecture and the clothing is one of the best things about the show. The season 2 season finale was phenomenal and I was smiling the entire time I watched it! Hoping for a season 3!

Easily triggered? Then don't watch

[dpoland-76589 · 8/10 · 25 January 2022]

Reading some of these reviews is almost as entertaining as the show itself. Some proclaim to love Downton Abbey (which by the way also raised sensitive issues such as class, heritage and sexuality) but when it makes a small subplot in an American show - the trolls emerge proclaiming "no, no 'woke' stuff."

Anyway: The first episode is long but it does a good job of setting the stage. Love Baranski, Nixon did a fine job, Farmiga was not the right choice. Although I adore Coon as an actress (I'll never forget her performance in Leftovers), she didn't get to really flex in this role, yet.

I eagerly await the continuation and will update my rating as the season moves on. Which it will as I am sure irritates quite a few but gives the majority of us no reason for concern.

I don't get all the bad reviews...

[thiagosblancos · 7/10 · 26 January 2022]

I've been waiting this for a while, especially since Fellowes mentioned it, I knew the premise could deliver a good show, and so it is. I'm giving it a 7* for the time being for I know it could be an 8 but I will reserve judgement until the end of the season.

Plus, all Fellowes' dramas are slow burners, even Downton Abbey was a bit much at first, there were dozens of characters presented at once, nothing made much sense until episode 3 so I knew what to expect on that regard but I want to make a defense, should that be the word, of this series. Aside of minor mistakes, façades not being the right stone, streets missing small details, the show presents the age rightly, especially one that was written a lot about, and mostly from a women's feud views. The men offer the backside of this, they didn't care about their wives' issues, they make business in between each other and let them manage the social side of their lives.

The show is heavily inspired from Alva Vanderbilt's takedown on Old New York, her bid on becoming socially acceptable agains Mrs Astor's 400, the Knickerbockers. Old ways vs the new way, Americans, especially Newyorkers, finding their footing in the new order where the US was beginning to be a power in its own right, and so, then, of course, the Buccaners, the most famous 3: Minnie Stevens, Jennie Jerome, and Consuelo Vanderbilt, the first 2 ones ran away from NY due to the lack of acceptance their families had, Alva was of a sterner material, first she won at home, and then she placed Consuelo as a duchess in England. Shortly after she divorced her husband, marry the love of her life, and then became an activism for women rights, vote, etc. What a woman, ha!

I also disagree with those who refer to this as woke, luckily is not, Fellowes loves to introduce these "downstairs" stories, and it is going to be one of the lines to go, so I like that, he is also usually thorough when it comes to details, I mean, don't expect seeing Peggy marrying a Vanderbilt or an Astor, he does not play with history on that regard but there will some surprise there for sure.

I hope this one follows its course, it could run for 4 season easily, and more.

Love it!

[AvidWatcher101 · 10/10 · 4 February 2022]

Visually stunning, great stories, so engaging. Just what I needed. Kudos to Julian Fellows on another hit. In spite of some users on IMDB not liking the show, it's a hit!!! Like Mrs. Russell, it will prevail.

TERRIBLE casting and directing

[nyccents · 6/10 · 26 January 2022]

First of all, the main character Marion Brooks is supposed to be 17/18. I. Real life this actress is 30 and looks it. Why not cast a genuine ingenue like Bridgerton did, and make it more credible?! Louise Jacobson is a pretty girl but she is not a radiant 18 year old carrying the storyline here.

Secondly the dialog is ok but the delivery is very modern. Awful. No subtlety or nuance or modulated voices. OMG where is Maggie Smith when you need her?!

Lastly, the characters thus far are caricatures of their historical referents. The ruthless mogul, the intractable snobbery, the guileless out-of-towner, etc

Overall, as compelling the sets and costumes, it is fighting against the flat delivery of dialog and predictable plot thus far.

Great acting, nice story line, but historically implausible

[ajkbiotech · 10/10 · 1 February 2022]

1) the show is beautifully shot

2) great acting

3) nice story lines

4) the crux of the dramatic conflict is, a class conflict between the ladies of old line New York, between the ladies of new money New York.

5) This is an excellent adaptation of actual NYC history;

a) the Dutch families, not the Mayflower families, had antecedence in NYC, notably the Roosevelts;

b) New Money had many adherents and advancements socially & otherwise in 1876-1929 more than any other period in time-the Morgans, Rockefellers, et al. All were new money.

C) Pedigree never trumped money, especially in the "Gilded Age," which was named for the enormous fortunes made in banking, railroads, Gold, shipping & other endeavors not taken up by the old established families.

However, these are but small quips.

Consider the minor roles occupied by such great actors as;

1) Michael Cerveris (September in Fringe)

2) Taissa Farmiga, excellent here as Gladys Russell

3) Jeanne Tripplehorn, as Sylvia Chamberlain, excels

4) Cynthia Nixon, as Ada Brook is terrific.

I could go on and on, but this is one terrific show.

This show concentrates much more on social status, social circles and the women of the Gilden Age than upon economics, labor, or the general corruption of the Gilden Age.

To enjoy this show, one must suspend the historical-dialectic judgments and focus on the plot as presented---and then you enjoy it!

It's a great show, enjoy!

Yes, I Will Be Watching

[VintageSoul56 · 8/10 · 25 January 2022]

I have read about how the new rich tried to infiltrate the ranks of the old rich in 19th New York. I am also reading a book by British author Anne de Coursey, "Husband Hunter's", about the young American heiresses who married into, mostly, British aristocracy and invigorated it with their money. Actually, it was mainly the mother's who made that happen.

This series has a promising start. You cannot beat Christine Baranski in ANYTHING that she is in. The woman is a chameleon. I even like Cynthia Nixon in this and I don't normally care for her, especially, in her other HBOMax series, "And Just Like That" where she plays Miranda Hobbes. Her character of Ada, the spinster sister of Baranski's character is full of sympathy. I think that Carrie Coons as Bertha Russell is and will continue to be a force to reckon with. I'm sure that Julien Fellows based her on a real life or multiple life figures. The costumes are stunning and realistic as far as the old New York. The newly rich characters are more the the gauche over the top style. I'm sure that was also realistic. The sets are well done. I do admit that I would not care to live in the cold marble halls of the Russell's newly build bemouth.

I plan to watch all 10 episodes. I am more interested in the social climbing plots than I am about the racial or homosexual plots.

Please keep Guilded Age

[exteriorfinishingtouches · 10/10 · 18 December 2023]

There are not many shows that my husband and I watch together but The Guilded Age is one of them. We hope you get many more reviews to inspire another season. I'm not sure how true to life facts are included but the names of the characters and locations sound like they are. We get a glimpse into high society and the dirty little secrets that's so entertaining that we just want to see more! Great writing and actors! What shows will we have in common anymore? It was quite surprising to me that he would be interested in a night time storyline that has so much gossip and back stabbing that we hope you will consider bringing it back. Looking forward to season 3.

Still Watching and Waiting for More

[leibos · 9/10 · 25 January 2022]

Always takes a while for a series like this to introduce the characters and core structure and that is true here. What matters of course is if the audience is hooked enough to look forward to the next episode and this viewer certainly is.

A Study in Class

[tradewinds68 · 10/10 · 27 January 2022]

I found the first episode of The Gilded Age very crisp and fresh. I admit that I have not been a big fan of Cynthia Nixon in the past, but her performance in this series is exquisite and truly shows an acting ability that I haven't seen in her previous roles.

The casting is very good and with so many likeable characters, this show is sure to delight those of you who enjoy period dramas.

Great cast

[dlindenm-1 · 9/10 · 25 January 2022]

This show depicts a lifestyle from a world away. The sets and the costumes are incredible. The storyline appears to be going in several interesting directions. Watch the show and see for yourself. Disregard the ignorant views of those who admit that they haven't watched it and won't!

C'mon Julian, get it together!

[kgft · 6/10 · 8 February 2022]

I love Downton Abbey so much that during shut down I binged it for a second and third time. I'm also a huge fan of Christine Baranski, so I was really looking forward to this new series. I haven't been happy with it and after the second episode I realized why. There are few endearing characters like there are in Downton Abbey, and Christine Baranski plays a relentlessly cruel, obnoxious snob, displaying almost none of the delicious wit that she usually shows. The other characters are poorly fleshed out so far. All this is the fault of the writer; I don't know what he was thinking beyond laurel-resting. I'm going to give it a few more chances, but if something doesn't improve it will never make it to season two, at least for me.

Entertaining Show

[conway3000 · 10/10 · 8 February 2022]

I am enjoying The Gilded Age and will continue to view weekly. We are still in the process of being introduced getting to know the characters. Julian Fellow's knows how to weave a tale so I suspect the story will get more complex as the series unfolds.

... early-days ... nothing yet outstanding or terrible

[bjarias · 7/10 · 29 January 2022]

.. early to tell yet so far so good... nothing much new in the story.. but acting is up to the task, and it's interesting to see Streep's youngest daughter take to the small screen... we'll see how it goes.

Horrible acting

[heyitsshawna · 2/10 · 16 February 2022]

Louisa Jacobson clearly got this role due to who her mom is. The acting is terrible except for Christine Baranski and Cynthia Nixon who are great along with a couple others but for the most part it's painful to watch but yet I keep watching to see if it gets any better. It's not.

Excellent first episode

[tomjoyce1964 · 9/10 · 26 January 2022]

The sets and the clothes are tremendous. The style of the show is very Julian Fellowes; they are trying to hit all the familiar notes. It isn't fair to judge any show in this era after just one episode, especially one with so many characters and potential moving parts but I would say it is off to a great start. The first episode was a bit stiff as it was full of introductions and context setting. Downtown Abbey also took time to get beyond being a stock British costume drama.

People who loved Downton and are complaining about stiff acting and dialogue might reflect on the fact that many of those characters we grew to love were pretty wooden in the beginning. Bates, Branson, Edith, Carson... we're pretty lame and took time to develop. Give it time.

And I love the reviews complaining that they don't like these elitist rich people with snotty accents. Here's a tip: it's called The Gilded Age....

Stunning, opulent and twisted

[dbuckshnis · 10/10 · 26 February 2022]

This period piece is delightful with opulent sets and costumes! Truly stunning works of art and twisted plots galore. The acting is fabulous! The old money versus new money theme is always a dilemma of the ages.

Absolute masterpiece!

[osman-55112 · 10/10 · 19 December 2023]

I absolutely love this series! The majesty and mastery of the intricate goings on at the time are eloquently portayed, Aunt Agnes is a triumph and although a harsh woman, shows a softer side when needed! I must also salute the costume department, never have I wanted to be able to have lived at the time more than this, the sumputous fabrics and gorgeous dresses!! BRAVO!! I have just finished S2 and well I couldn't have cheered more than in the last 5 minutes!! All the stories are so well interlinked and even the Household staff are great! Bannister being one of my favourites! I hope there will be a third series!