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Season 2 – The Gilded Age

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1:55

Oct 2023

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

42 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

The American Gilded Age was a period of immense economic change, great conflict between the old ways and brand new systems, and huge fortunes were made and lost. In 1882, young Marian Brook moves from rural Pennsylvania to New York City after the death of her father to live with her aunts Agnes van Rhijn and Ada Brook. Accompanied by Peggy Scott, an aspiring writer seeking a fresh start, Marian inadvertently becomes enmeshed in a social war between one of her aunts, a scion of the old money set, and her stupendously rich neighbors, a ruthless railroad tycoon and his ambitious wife, George and Bertha Russell. Exposed to a world on the brink of the modern age, Marian must choose if she will follow the established rules of society or forge her own path.

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Critics Consensus

More topical than before while also owning its frivolous appeal with unapologetic splendor, Julian Fellowes' operatic soap enters its own halcyon age.

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Camilla Long

The Times (UK)

11/06/2023

After a while the hyperbole becomes incredible,like Ivana Trump, Brooke Astor and Gloria Vanderbilt all going down on the Titanic. It’s funny.

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Michael Hogan

Daily Telegraph (UK)

10/31/2023

3/5

Spotters of Fellowes’s tin-eared dialogue will find plenty to amuse them here.

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Matthew Gilbert

Boston Globe

10/31/2023

Do I think it’s an extraordinary and complexly written period drama? No, I don’t... But I enjoy watching it nonetheless.

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Brian Bromberger

Bay Area Reporter

04/10/2024

On balance, the second season is an improvement over season one, for the simple reason that "The Gilded Age" has decided to embrace unapologetically what it always was: a glamorous period costume soap opera with every scene bigger and bolder.

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Susan Granger

SSG Syndicate

01/31/2024

7/10

The second season of Julian Fellowes' sumptuous, sudsy soap-opera shows what happens when ambition meets its match - as traditional customs collide with innovative schemes, proving that when the old rules don't bend, something has to break.

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Loren King

Newport This Week (RI)

12/21/2023

[Fellowes] has found a winning formula that blends PG-rated, lightweight interpersonal dynamics with class conflicts, all aided considerably by assembling a cast of actors so talented they could recite a takeout menu and make it sound like Shakespeare.

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Eben W.

@Pendrag0n111 Jan 19

There’s a great change of pace and tone in this season that really helps it stand on it’s own

S G

@Sean123456789 Nov 3

It’s great , last episode is the last one

Barbara N

@RT25833891 Sep 2

One of the best series on TV.. i and my daughter absolutely loved it. All 3 seasons. The nail biting drama at the end of each episode, kept us on the edge of our seats. Nicely done. The acting was superb.. they made you feel every emotion of the moment.. from crying, to anger, to laughter. Oh my, and I Can't say enough awesome and wonderful things about the wardrobes.... the dresses and gowns where absolutely stunning. . It made me wish that we could purchase and wear these beautiful gowns in today's society. Simply stunning. The show is a 10 out of 10 for me. Can't wait for season 4.

Kathleen H.

@Histy Aug 13

Love it!!! the Gilded Age is pure binge worthy escapism!!

Francis S

@Francis101 Aug 12

Weaker than the first one. Need more juice.

Ms J.

@MrsJimmy Aug 11

I absolutely loved Season 3 of The Gilded Age. There’s such a wonderful lightness to the show, even as it handles the seriousness of the characters’ situations. Watching it has become a gentle, comforting part of my week, a time when I can simply relax and let the story sweep me away. It’s the perfect brain break, yet it still scratches my deep love for history. I especially enjoy how the fictional drama is woven with real historical references. It makes me want to dig deeper, research more, and immerse myself in the time period. For a history lover like me, it’s a perfect blend of charm, drama, and detail.

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Julian Fellowes

Creator

Cynthia Nixon

Ada Brook

Morgan Spector

George Russell

Denée Benton

Peggy Scott

Louisa Jacobson

Marian Brook

Taissa Farmiga

Gladys Russell

Episode 1

Aired Oct 29, 2023

You Don't Even Like Opera

Agnes shares news of her nephew Dashiell's imminent arrival in New York; Bertha decides to back the new Metropolitan Opera House.

Details

Episode 2

Aired Nov 5, 2023

Some Sort of Trick

George delivers a final decision to Oscar; Peggy is welcomed back into the Van Rhijn household by all but one; Marian meets a new match.

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Episode 3

Aired Nov 12, 2023

Head to Head

A surprise guest attends Bertha's fundraiser; Ada organizes a luncheon for Mr. Forte; Peggy presses Mr. Fortune about Tuskegee.

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Episode 4

Aired Nov 19, 2023

His Grace the Duke

Bertha angles for position with a visiting Duke; with Marian's help, Ada continues to see Mr. Forte; Peggy travels to Alabama.

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Episode 5

Aired Nov 26, 2023

Close Enough to Touch

After sharing her news, Ada questions moving ahead without Agnes' support; Peggy experiences the dangers of the South.

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Episode 6

Aired Dec 3, 2023

Warning Shots

As George heads to Pittsburgh to deal with the potential strike, Bertha learns that the Duke will return for the Metropolitan Opera's opening night; Bannister tries to retrieve an incriminating letter from the Russell house.

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Episode 7

Aired Dec 10, 2023

Wonders Never Cease

As New York celebrates a historic event, Bertha reconsiders her loyalty to the Met while Marian has doubts about her future.

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Episode 8

Aired Dec 17, 2023

In Terms of Winning and Losing

The staff questions its future at Rhijn's house, just as Peggy questions her future at The New York Globe; Marian confesses her true feelings to Dashiell; the opera war reaches its climax.

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The Gilded Age: Season 2 Featurette - Behind the Scenes

3:15

The Gilded Age: Season 2 Trailer

1:55

The Gilded Age: Season 2 Teaser

0:48

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Director: Gareth Neame, Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Creator: Julian Fellowes
Executive Producer: Julian Fellowes, Gareth Neame, Michael Engler, David Crockett, Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Screenwriter: Julian Fellowes, Sonja Warfield
Network: HBO
Rating: TV-MA
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date: Oct 29, 2023

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Season 2 – The Gilded Age

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