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The Gilded Age

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 77 Critic Reviews

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70

USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 20 Ratings

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5.0

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5.0	Your Score
5.0	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 20 Ratings

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The Gilded Age: Charity Has Two Functions

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The Gilded Age

Series Details & Credits

HBO | Release Date: January 24, 2022

Summary: Set in 1882, Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) moves from Pennsylvania to live in New York City with her aunts Agnes van Rhijn (Chrstine Baranski) and Ada Brook (Cynthia Nixon) after the death of her father in this Julian Fellowes drama.

Genre(s): Drama

Recent Episodes

No episode information is currently available for this season

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Metascore

70

Positive:

53

Mixed:

22

Negative:

2

Critic Reviews

100

Decider

Meghan O'Keefe

Jan 20, 2022

Season 1 Review: Fellowes has attempted to recapture the magic of Downton Abbey in other projects, like Doctor Thorne and Belgravia. Here, though, he actually pulls it off. Each new episode left me more ravenous for more. ... It has all the escapist charm of the historic costume drama blended with the savage energy of most evening soaps. It is the show Downton Abbey fans have been waiting for. Read full review

90

CNN

Brian Lowry

Jan 20, 2022

Season 1 Review: It's early to pronounce this fully as another "Downton"-like addiction, with one movie and another on the way. Yet Fellowes has laid out the foundation for a period soap with that lofty potential, in what is already a very enticing piece of "Abbey"-adjacent real estate. Read full review

80

The Telegraph Michael Hogan

Jun 23, 2025

Season 3 Review: The latest run is the best yet, fairly fizzing with gossip and intrigue. It starts slowly but gathers pace beautifully, complete with some gasp-inducing cliffhangers. Read full review

79

Paste Magazine

Lacy Baugher

Oct 24, 2023

Season 2 Review: The Gilded Age Season 2 represents a marked improvement over the series’ first outing and concludes by leaving enough dangling plot threads to point the way to an even stronger third season. And while its gaudy delights may occasionally seem a little gauche, viewers everywhere will have a great time rolling about in its excess. Read full review

70

CNN

Brian Lowry

Oct 30, 2023

Season 2 Review: Given the frothy, at worst PG-rated shenanigans that preoccupy these upper-crust New Yorkers and their servants, the series also still feels like something of an outlier for HBO, but an enjoyable one. If that’s not enough to elicit thunderous applause, in keeping with the spirit of the season, it’s certainly worthy of an opera clap. Read full review

60

The Times Carol Midgley

Oct 31, 2023

Season 2 Review: The last series drew criticism for being boring. The second certainly doesn't lack in that department but there are a few tasty strands that save the day. The battle of the two opera houses definitely isn't one of them. Read full review

20

The Guardian Lucy Mangan

Jan 25, 2022

Season 1 Review: All of human life is here. Not in any credible way – just here. ... In short, it’s just what HBO ordered from the man who by now is surely actually churning this stuff out in his sleep rather than simply giving the faultless impression of it. Read full review

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Write a Review

5.0

User Reviews

10

fiex

Feb 2, 2022

As a big fan of Downton Abbey, I had high expectations of The Gilded Age. It's immediately apparent that Julian Fellows is behind the series as the incredible attention to detail is just superb.

It's no Downton Abbey transported to America though. The Gilded Age has its own character, withAs a big fan of Downton Abbey, I had high expectations of The Gilded Age. It's immediately apparent that Julian Fellows is behind the series as the incredible attention to detail is just superb.

It's no Downton Abbey transported to America though. The Gilded Age has its own character, with much more conniving and back stabbing going on between characters right from the get go. The soundtrack is absolutely magnificent - can't wait for the full album to be available!… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

9

shoulderoforion

Feb 16, 2022

I can't think of a more guilty pleasure than this show. If you loved Downton Abbey, you're gonna dig this. Every show is just so delicious. I'm thoroughly digging it.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

8

Estoniantoad

Feb 27, 2022

Cynthia Nixon stands out here as she is so familiar but at the same time totally unrecognizable - that is what the good actress is all about! And if compared to that horrible Sex and City reboot show, Nixon feels like a different person. Other actors are pleasant just and that is no good forCynthia Nixon stands out here as she is so familiar but at the same time totally unrecognizable - that is what the good actress is all about! And if compared to that horrible Sex and City reboot show, Nixon feels like a different person. Other actors are pleasant just and that is no good for Baranski who was on the top of my list, but here she does not even try, she is so much better actor than being a familiar face to give Gilded Age some credibility...… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

4

joelgreenberg

Jan 27, 2022

The Gilded Age, first episode, shows little promise for what lies ahead. Written by Julian Fellowes, who knows a great deal about the politics of Class in Britain, writes dialogue here that is stilted beyond credibility. Did people in the American northeast aim to replicate a structure andThe Gilded Age, first episode, shows little promise for what lies ahead. Written by Julian Fellowes, who knows a great deal about the politics of Class in Britain, writes dialogue here that is stilted beyond credibility. Did people in the American northeast aim to replicate a structure and syntax that mirrored British-speak? And were they so artificial in their behaviour that they resembled robotic zombies more than flesh and blood humans?… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

4

prizepatrol

Feb 8, 2022

I only give 4 stars for the outstanding sets and costumes. After watching the first three episodes, I feel that the story is pedestrian and there are no standout performances worthy of note. I had hopes for this series. Disappointed.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

3

Phantazmagore

Mar 15, 2022

At this point - I am just hate watching the series. I keep hoping it will get better… but alas. These characters have zero chemistry.. The lead couldn’t act her way out of a shoe. Mrs. Russel is the only interesting character in the show. I’d probably enjoy it if it focused on her and herAt this point - I am just hate watching the series. I keep hoping it will get better… but alas. These characters have zero chemistry.. The lead couldn’t act her way out of a shoe. Mrs. Russel is the only interesting character in the show. I’d probably enjoy it if it focused on her and her husbands story. Costume and design - A+

The show doesn’t even try to get you to care about the side cast. They just shove random story lines at you without warning. They try to make them emotional - but when we’ve seen these characters for maybe 5 minutes screen time, I couldn’t care less.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

0

JeffreyAA

Mar 9, 2022

This show is horrible. It’s just terrible, wooden acting, bad casting, and absolutely no character chemistry. There isn’t one character that you want to cheer on or even like. Baranski is a poor rendition of Maggie Smith. The writing is subpar. DON’T BOTHER.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

SEE ALL 10 REVIEWS

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Seasons & Episodes

70

Series Overview
Season 3

74
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: June 22, 2025
- No episode information is currently available for this season
Season 2

73
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: October 29, 2023
Season 1

68
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 24, 2022