In January 2022, HBO debuted The Gilded Age, a period drama chronicling the titular American era of decadence and societal change. Created by Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes, the must-watch series applied the upstairs-downstairs approach of his British hit to a few upper-class families in N.Y.C. at the turn of the 19th century, while highlighting the power struggle between new-money schemers, represented by Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon), as they clash with old-money scions, like Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski). (Also, props to The Gilded Age for including a rare depiction of upper-class Black Brooklyn society at the time!)
Three years later, The Gilded Age has reached new heights, with season 3 drawing in more viewers than ever and growing to surprisingly life-or-death stakes compared to the show's low-stakes beginnings. (Remember when season 1's finale hinged on getting Mrs. Astor to attend a ball?) Since the season 3 finale on August 10, 2025, fans have been clamoring for news of the show's future. Read on for everything we know about The Gilded Age season 4 so far.
Has 'The Gilded Age' been renewed for season 4?
Yes! HBO announced the renewal on July 28, two weeks before the season 3 finale. The renewal came as the series continued to reach new viewership feats week after week. According to Deadline, ahead of the season 3 finale, The Gilded Age was "adding viewers at a rate nearly 50 percent higher than in previous seasons."
"We couldn’t be prouder of the undeniable viewership heights The Gilded Age has achieved this season,” said Francesca Orsi, EVP, HBO Programming, Head of HBO Drama Series and Films. "Transporting us to 1880s New York City, Julian Fellowes and the enormously talented cast and crew have created a 'cant-miss it' entertainment experience from week to week, and we’re delighted to continue exploring these characters’ grand ambitions for what we promise will be a thrilling fourth season."
When will 'The Gilded Age' season 4 come out?
There's no official release date for season 4 yet, so the timeline for new episodes is unclear. However, in mid-December 2025, HBO dropped a teaser for its 2026 slate, and The Gilded Age was among the shows featured (along with other tentpole hits like Euphoria and House of the Dragon, as well as new releases like Lanterns). So, that being said, the period drama should return sometime in 2026.
As for when exactly, we can look back at previous seasons to get a sense. For example, season 1 premiered in January 2022, followed by season 2 in October 2023, and season 3 in June 2025. Although, the 2023 Hollywood strikes contributed to the delay between seasons 2 and 3, so the wait won't be as long for season 4. We would bet that the new episodes will start airing in fall 2026.
Which of the cast will return for 'The Gilded Age' season 4?
According to the official season 4 logline (more on that below), a handful of stars are confirmed to return: Carrie Coon (Bertha Russell), Christine Baranski (Agnes van Rhijn), Louisa Jacobson (Marian Brook), Denée Benton (Peggy Scott), Jordan Donica (Dr. William Kirkland), and Ashlie Atkinson (Mamie Fish).
In fact, according to a February 2026 casting announcement from Deadline, we'll see even more of Donica and Atkinson, who have been promoted to series regulars in season 4. As fans may recall, Dr. William Kirklan proposed to Peggy—without his family's approval—at the Newport, Rhode Island gala in the season 3 finale. So, it makes sense we'll see more of the actor going forward. Could a wedding be in store next season? Or at least tensions to be dealt with among Peggy and William's disapproving family? We'll have to wait and see!
Though they have yet to be officially confirmed, several other major stars will likely return, including Morgan Spector (George Russell), Taissa Farmiga (Gladys Russell), Harry Richardson (Larry Russell), Cynthia Nixon (Ada Brook), Blake Ritson (Oscar van Rhijn), Audra McDonald (Dorothy Scott), Ben Lamb (Hector, Duke of Buckingham), Kelley Curran (Enid Winterton), Kelli O'Hara (Aurora Fane), Donna Murphy (Mrs. Astor), Ben Ahlers (Jack Treacher), Douglas Sills (Monsieur Baudin), Celia Keenan-Bolger (Mrs. Bruce), Simon Jones (Mr. Bannister), Jack Gilpin (Church), Debra Monk (Armstrong), Phylicia Rashad (Elizabeth Kirkland), and Brian Stokes Mitchell (Frederick Kirland.)
However, it remains to be seen if characters who were ousted from society will return in some capacity. Fingers crossed that Nathan Lane (Ward McAllister) will be back at some point!
Are there any new cast members in 'The Gilded Age' season 4?
In mid-February 2026, Deadline unveiled several new faces joining season 4 and teased their roles. As is typical of the show, many of the newcomers hail from the stage, including Tony-winner and Kimberly Akimbo star Bonnie Milligan, Tony-nominee Taylor Trensch (Bat Boy: The Musical), James Scully (Oh, Mary! and Netflix's You), Maggie Kuntz (John Proctor is the Villain), and Neal Huff (To Kill a Mockingbird). Dennis Haysbert (The Unit, Lucifer) also joins the show.
According to Deadline, some of the new additions will be playing real people: Milligan plays The Ladies' Home Journal editor Mrs. Knapp Curtis, while Huff brings to life businessman/oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller. "A thin, self-made man of humble origins, now one of the richest and most powerful in the world. A devout Baptist and philanthropist, he does not always see eye to eye with his fellow robber barons," the outlet teased about his portrayal on the series.
Meanwhile, Trensch will portray "Oliver, "a new addition to the van Rhijn household," Scully joins as artist Lee Klein, Kuntz plays one of the Astors's cousins, the free-spirited Fiona Summers, and Haysbert plays William Kirkland's mentor, Dr. Reginald Harris.
What will 'The Gilded Age' season 4 be about?
HBO has shared a synopsis for season 4: "Bertha Russell changed Society at a cost. Now, her family must reckon with the consequences as Agnes van Rhijn seizes an opportunity to regain her position. Meanwhile, Marian forges a new path for herself, and Peggy works to be accepted by her future in-laws. In this new era, you must be careful what you wish for."
We'll have to see how that all plays out, considering season 3 ended with the unthinkable, in which it seemed as if the Russells were done for good. After the show's most fascinating and ambitious couple spent the season at odds over their daughter Gladys's marriage, George recovers from being shot, but his near-death experience prompts him to leave his wife Bertha after her Newport Ball. The Russells's marriage is the best part of the show for most fans, so their separation and reconciliation (I'm manifesting it) will be a large part of season 4. (Also, George gets addicted to laudanum? We'll see.)
Both Russells shared their thoughts on the split in the hours following the season 3 finale. Morgan Spector was optimistic, telling TVLine, "Because we know how good this couple can be together, it would be really fascinating to see them spend a season figuring out how to get back to each other."
Meanwhile, when asked by Variety whether the pair will be able to put their differences aside, Carrie Coon answered, "I don’t know. It depends what George wants." She added of George's near-death revelations, "That feels very real to me in long-term relationships. One person can go through a very transformative experience that the other person doesn’t have access to, and it takes them a while to find their way back to each other."
Season 4 will also be a big season for engagements: Marian and Larry are still on course; Peggy is newly betrothed to her beau William (despite his mother's objections); and Oscar may be headed toward a lavender marriage with Enid. Also, despite her initial devastation at marrying a stranger, Gladys is happily pregnant by the season finale.
While speaking with Marie Claire about the season 3 finale, Taissa Farmiga shared her hopes for Gladys in season 4, including whether she might continue her arc in England or return to America. "What sets us apart from Downton Abbey is that it's American history, and I'm curious how much they [will] show Gladys in England, or would she be able to come back and, I don't know, bring some English manners and chaos to New York?" she said. "I hope I don't have to play pregnant too long. I don't want to have to wear a corset with a pregnancy belt. Let's just throw this out there—maybe Julian reads this. But also I'll do what I have to do!"
As for how Gladys will approach being a mother, Farmiga said, "I think she will be more inspired by George's parenting than by Bertha's parenting. I think she's going to want to give more of the emotional comfort that Bertha doesn't give, even though we know Bertha loves her children. She loves them so much, but sometimes a child needs a hug and a gentle smile, not like a firm guiding hand. Sometimes it's just acknowledging their feelings."
