The Gilded Age Season 4: Everything We Know So Far

HBO’s The Gilded Age returns for Season 4 with romance, power struggles, and high-society intrigue. Get the latest release date updates, cast news, and plot speculation.

HBO’s The Gilded Age has cemented itself as one of television’s most captivating period dramas, weaving tales of ambition, romance, and high society intrigue in 1880s New York. Season 3 concluded with an emotional whirlwind — engagements, reconciliations, shocking revelations, and one dramatic marital rupture between George and Bertha Russell. With HBO officially renewing the series for a fourth season, fans are buzzing with anticipation over what lies ahead. Will fractured relationships be mended, or will new rivalries and ambitions reshape the social landscape? As the dust settles from the jaw-dropping Season 3 finale, we explore all the latest updates, cast news, and plot speculation for The Gilded Age Season 4.

HBO Confirms Season 4 Renewal

The uncertainty surrounding George Russell’s fate may have kept viewers on edge, but HBO wasted no time confirming the show’s continuation. In July 2025, the network announced The Gilded Age would return for Season 4, crediting the show’s growing popularity and record-breaking viewership in Season 3.

Francesca Orsi, HBO’s head of drama, praised creator Julian Fellowes and the ensemble cast for delivering “a can’t-miss entertainment experience week to week.” This early renewal reflects HBO’s confidence in the series’ storytelling power and loyal audience. The show has experienced a steady rise in ratings — up 20% from Season 2 — signaling its evolution from an under-the-radar gem to a prestige television staple.

Potential Release Date: When Will Season 4 Arrive?

While HBO has not confirmed an exact premiere date, the production cycle offers clues. Previous seasons have followed an approximate 18-month gap between filming and release.

·        Season 1 debuted in January 2022

·        Season 2 premiered in October 2023

·        Season 3 launched in June 2025

If this pattern holds, fans could expect The Gilded Age Season 4 in late 2026 or early 2027. However, factors such as cast schedules and potential production delays could shift this timeline. Carrie Coon (Bertha Russell) is already attached to a film project before filming begins, which may influence the start date.

Season 3 Recap: Setting the Stage for Season 4

Season 3 delivered a heady mix of triumph and turmoil. Peggy Scott found love and a proposal from Dr. William Kirkland despite his mother’s disapproval, while Marian Brook and Larry Russell cautiously rekindled their romance after a broken engagement. Agnes van Rhijn gained new prominence as vice president of the New York Heritage Society, and Ada embraced her role as head of the household.

The Russells, however, faced a seismic rift. Following a near-fatal shooting, George openly questioned his marriage, blaming Bertha’s ruthless social ambitions for damaging their family. The finale ended with George leaving, even as their daughter Gladys announced her pregnancy with the Duke of Buckingham’s child.

This tangled web of personal and societal conflicts sets the stage for Season 4’s drama-laden storylines.

What to Expect in The Gilded Age Season 4

While official plot details remain under wraps, several narrative threads are poised for continuation:

·        George and Bertha’s marriage crisis – Will they reconcile or part ways for good?

·        Peggy and William’s wedding – And whether Peggy continues her journalism career post-marriage.

·        Marian and Larry’s relationship – Can trust be rebuilt for a lasting future?

·        Gladys’s motherhood journey – How will the Duke and Duchess navigate high society as parents?

·        Oscar’s strategic alliance – His proposed partnership with Mrs. Winterton could reshape social alliances.

The mystery surrounding George’s attempted murder may also take center stage. While “Clay” appears a likely suspect, rival business interests or political enemies could complicate the investigation.

Returning Cast and Possible Exits

The Gilded Age boasts a star-studded ensemble, many of whom are expected to return:

·        Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell

·        Morgan Spector as George Russell (pending his character’s fate)

·        Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook

·        Harry Richardson as Larry Russell

·        Denée Benton as Peggy Scott

·        Christine Baranski as Agnes van Rhijn

·        Cynthia Nixon as Ada Brook

·        Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell

·        Blake Ritson as Oscar van Rhijn

One confirmed departure is Claybourne Elder’s John Adams, whose storyline ended in Season 3. While George’s survival is assumed, Morgan Spector’s own comments about not yet having a contract leave room for speculation.

Thematic Shifts: Ambition, Legacy, and Social Change

Season 4 may reflect the historical transition many real-life “robber barons” underwent — shifting from aggressive business expansion to philanthropic and legacy-building pursuits. For George, this could mean a move away from ruthless deal-making toward causes that redefine his public image.

For Bertha, however, ambition remains unshaken. Her determination to solidify the Russell name in New York society will likely clash with George’s potential change of heart, creating fertile ground for marital drama.

Weddings, Alliances, and Scandals Ahead

Marriage will be a major theme in Season 4. Peggy and William’s upcoming nuptials promise both romantic and cultural significance, while Marian and Larry’s relationship remains on a knife-edge. Oscar’s proposed “strategic marriage” to Mrs. Winterton could spark fresh gossip and maneuvering among New York’s elite.

Bullet list of expected key events:

·        George and Bertha’s marital showdown

·        Peggy and William’s wedding plans

·        Marian and Larry’s romantic resolution

·        Gladys navigating motherhood as a Duchess

·        Oscar’s society power play with Mrs. Winterton

·        Investigation into George’s shooting

·        Potential new rivals and social climbers

Fan Hopes and Speculation

Viewers are eager to see unresolved arcs addressed. Will George’s departure lead to personal growth or further estrangement? Could Season 4 feature not just one but multiple weddings? Will Gladys’s child unite or further divide the family?

Another question is whether Season 4 will continue the series’ tradition of using real historical figures and events to frame fictional drama, or lean further into purely character-driven storytelling.

Conclusion

With high stakes in both love and power, The Gilded Age Season 4 promises to deliver more of the opulence, scheming, and societal chess moves that have made it a hit. While fans may need to wait until late 2026 or early 2027 for its premiere, the groundwork laid by Season 3 ensures the wait will be worthwhile. In the gilded world of HBO’s 1880s New York, every waltz, whisper, and handshake could change the game forever.