Gowns and Roses: Love, Lies and Lavish Parties in the New Season of ‘The Gilded Age’

The Gilded Age, Season 4 | Creator: Julian Fellowes | Cast: Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Louisa Jacobson, Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon

Our favourite turn-of-the-century New Yorkers are back and how delighted we are to examine class, the status of women and the condition of Black people, while also gawking at beautiful dresses and fabulous parties.

The Russells, who have so far been on an irresistible rise, seem doomed as far as their relationship is concerned. George Russell (Morgan Spector, every bit a ruthless tycoon) is battling the Rockefellers and potential anti-monopoly legislation, even as he tries to get over the shock of an attempted assassination last season and the erosion of faith in his marriage. Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon), his wife, is helping her daughter, Gladys, in England produce the Marquess of Sidmouth—her son with Hector, the Duke of Buckingham)— even as she wonders what went wrong in her seemingly perfect marriage.

Creator Julian Fellowes brings in self-made men, Black politics, homosexuality and lavender marriages, single women and sexual freedom especially for single women. The relationship between Larry Russell (Harry Richardson) and Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) is a really slow burn and one hopes all the obstacles in their way are cleared soon.

Fairly early on in the first episode, a character tells another: this is going to be so much fun. He couldn't be more right.