Introduction

The Gilded Age was a period of economic growth for the United States as our nation was rapidly expanding through industrialization. The HBO show of the same name is set in 1882, in a New York City, awash in money where there is a fixation on the etiquette and conventions of the very rich. 

The Story

The Gilded Age is about the dynamic between old money and new. The old money is represented by sisters Agnes van Rhijn (played by Christine Baranski) and Ada Brook (played by Cynthia Nixon) who are joined by their young niece Marian (played by Louisa Jacobson) and her new acquaintance, Peggy Scott (played by Denée Benton), a Black writer who comes to work as Agnes’ secretary. Across the street from them, is a new, ornate home by the new money Russels, Baron George (played by Morgan Spector), and his wife, Bertha (played by Carrie Coon). A lot of the tension of the show comes from Bertha Russel’s passionate desire to be accepted into New York’s society, while her husband cares less about “society” itself, but is deeply devoted to his wife, almost as much as he is to making money.

According to NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, “there are people today that promote the myth that the US has a class system that rewards achievement with success when you work your way up by the power of your own abilities, but instead, Agnes looks down on the Russells because they got their money from work rather than being born rich.” 

The History

The Gilded Age also draws upon the history and real-life people of the period. According to The Preservation Society of Newport County, there is a “striking resemblance between Bertha and Alva Vanderbilt of Marble House.” Alva famously manipulated her way into New York society and the true story is lifted from history in The Gilded Age where Bertha Russel is doing the same thing. The show’s historical consultant, Erica Armstrongh Dunbar, went to great lengths to ensure that the world build-up is true to the historical era. “The clothing that our actors are wearing, the carriages that they’re stepping into, the teacups that they are using, all of this is accurate,” Dunbar told Smithsonian Magazine, “we want viewers to feel as though they are in the 1880s.”

Of course, The Gilded Age is meant to entertain, but the show’s main themes also resonate with today’s real issues around the distribution of wealth and race and gender inequality. This goes along with what was really happening during the actual “Gilded Age” of America when people started to join together for reforms like limits on hourly labor, votes for women, and civil rights. 

Conclusion

This show has satisfied its audience, including me, with lavish sets, beautifully shot scenes, and gorgeous costumes. I can confidently suggest that anyone looking for something to watch with entertaining scandals and drama look into The Gilded Age. Fortunately for us, they also just came out with its second season on HBO Max. I know I’m looking forward to what this brilliant show has in store for the future.