The Gilded Age

Set in 1882 New York, The Gilded Age follows Marian Brook, a bright but unshielded young woman who moves in with her once distant aunts after a family upheaval. She soon finds herself adrift in a world of marble mansions, society salons, and rigid codes of conduct where wealth buys access and reputation. With Peggy Scott, a sharp-witted African American woman passing as a maid, Marian witnesses a city where ambition rubs shoulders with tradition. As she weighs the pull of comfortable customs against the lure of a life defined by her own terms, she must decide how far she will push the boundaries of class, race, and power. The result is a glittering, cutthroat social landscape.

The series is the brainchild of Julian Fellowes and premiered on HBO in 2022. It draws from the late 19th century New York experience rather than a single source material, and it employs a rotating group of directors across episodes.

Lavish production design and period costumes are a constant highlight, giving the era a tangible glow. The series also stirs discussion about race, class, and power in New York's upper crust, shaping how viewers expect glossy but pointed portraits of history to feel.

Critics have generally welcomed the show for its performances and atmosphere, with strong turns from Carrie Coon and Denée Benton helping to anchor the social whirl. Some reviews note uneven pacing and tension between Downton Abbey style prestige and the grittier realities of its era.