"The Gilded Age" on HBO

[Gandalf]

Shooting confirmed to start June/July.

[d.anders]

I'm watching this, but mostly for a history lesson. I'm not enjoying the writing, directing or the acting. I think many of the characters are plastic, and some actors are mis-cast, like Blake Ritson. This show is a true Downton Abbey wannabe, but it comes nowhere close to that quality. Christine Baranski will never be Maggie Smith. Christine is too one-note for me. Award-winning Kristine Nielsen is completely waisted, with a ridiculous German accent. I guess you could say I hate watch. Of course spinster Ada's one chance at love dies 10 minutes after they get married, and his money saves Agnes. How contrived can Julian get? Blah.

[+ Axiom2001]

On 12/22/2023 at 3:49 PM, musclestuduws said:

I disagree. I enjoyed a good deal of what I saw in season 2. Including some really good acting from Baranski, Leonard, Nixon, and Coon. And I enjoyed the “opera war,” which was accurate enough historically. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and we all have different tastes and expectations. I look forward to season 3. 

HBO Renews The Gilded Age for Season 3

PLAYBILL.COM

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The season two finale aired December 17, and all episodes are now available to stream on Max.

 

I have to concur with musclestuduws; although the presentation might not have had a ll of what you expected and desired, I thought the acting was definitely above average.   The story lines were satisfying to me as well.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

I'm not sure what people are expecting.  This isn't Chaucer.

It's a dishy, swishy, blurry-on-historical-facts kinda show.  It never was meant to be perfectly factual.

To me, it's like watching Dynasty and pointing out all of the things that would never be in Denver.

[Guest]

Wait…Dynasty wasn’t historically accurate?!

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Just now, Km411 said:

Wait…Dynasty wasn’t historically accurate?!

[d.anders]

14 minutes ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

I'm not sure what people are expecting. 

I loved Gosford Park. I loved Downton Abbey. I was hoping for something close. Fellowes has had a few turkeys in his career, namely The Tourist. There isn't one character in Gilded Age I care about. The set design is more interesting than the characters.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Just now, d.anders said:

I loved Gosford Park. I loved Downton Abbey. I was hoping for something close. Fellowes has had a few turkeys in his career, namely The Tourist. There isn't one character in Gilded Age I care about.

But like I said, this isn't Fellowes going for Chaucer... This is fluff.  Pure, unadulterated fluff.

 

1 minute ago, d.anders said:

The set design is more interesting than the characters.

That all depends on how you look at it.  I watch Gilded the same way I watch The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills:  As camp, as near-farce.  It keeps things light.  I don't overthink it.

The set and costume design is superb.  He got the best Broadway designers in on this action and it shows.

[d.anders]

1 hour ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

I watch Gilded the same way I watch The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

OMG. Speechless.

[harlow]

On 1/23/2024 at 3:59 PM, d.anders said:

I'm watching this, but mostly for a history lesson. I'm not enjoying the writing, directing or the acting. I think many of the characters are plastic, and some actors are mis-cast, like Blake Ritson. This show is a true Downton Abbey wannabe, but it comes nowhere close to that quality. Christine Baranski will never be Maggie Smith. Christine is too one-note for me. Award-winning Kristine Nielsen is completely waisted, with a ridiculous German accent. I guess you could say I hate watch. Of course spinster Ada's one chance at love dies 10 minutes after they get married, and his money saves Agnes. How contrived can Julian get? Blah.

I wouldn’t watch it for the “history lesson” because it’s definitely embellished but I really think it’s a good show. I’m really hooked on it 

[CuriousByNature]

It may not be historically accurate in every detail, but it still transports me to a time and place I have always found interesting.  The manipulating and maneuvering performed by characters in the show, as a means of climbing the ever-important social ladder, is probably not too different from that done by robber baron families during the actual Gilded Age.  I don't watch it as a history lesson or as a social commentary, but rather, as an escape from my less-than gilded existence - at least for one hour a week!

[harlow]

1 hour ago, CuriousByNature said:

It may not be historically accurate in every detail, but it still transports me to a time and place I have always found interesting.  The manipulating and maneuvering performed by characters in the show, as a means of climbing the ever-important social ladder, is probably not too different from that done by robber baron families during the actual Gilded Age.  I don't watch it as a history lesson or as a social commentary, but rather, as an escape from my less-than gilded existence - at least for one hour a week!

Oh no certainly didn’t mean anything bad by my comment. I LOVE the show and I like how they depict the lives of all racial groups and social classes. I think it’s an excellent show and the acting is great 

[CuriousByNature]

10 hours ago, harlow said:

Oh no certainly didn’t mean anything bad by my comment. I LOVE the show and I like how they depict the lives of all racial groups and social classes. I think it’s an excellent show and the acting is great 

Oh, I wasn't thinking you meant anything bad at all.  :)

[Ali Gator]

I just finished the first season of Fellowes' "Belgravia", from 2020 (which was the reason 'The Gilded Age' was pushed back) .  Like "The Gilded Age", this is a series in which the story could've been told in half the time - three episodes instead of six. For some reason, he really likes to stretch his series out with a lot of 'filler episodes' which does nothing to move the story along. Tedious and dull. 

[d.anders]

On 1/26/2024 at 12:03 PM, harlow said:

I wouldn’t watch it for the “history lesson” because it’s definitely embellished

My comment was poorly worded. I'm not looking for historical facts at every turn, but I do enjoy period pieces based on some elements of truth. Downton often referred to historical events that actually happened, and I enjoyed that.

[harlow]

40 minutes ago, d.anders said:

My comment was poorly worded. I'm not looking for historical facts at every turn, but I do enjoy period pieces based on some elements of truth. Downton often referred to historical events that actually happened, and I enjoyed that.

I definitely enjoyed it and loved Downton too.  I agree period pieces like this fuel your curiosity to learn about the actual people and events.  

[Guest]

Just finished the season, and I want George Russell. 

[harlow]

On 2/1/2024 at 6:45 PM, Km411 said:

Just finished the season, and I want George Russell. 

I'm smitten with young Mr. Larry Russell....that Mrs. Blane was a lucky woman 😉

[TonyDown]

Who is still watching?

Surprised to see the Andrea Martin cameo, S3 e5.

Madame Dashkova!

Love her.

[CuriousByNature]

33 minutes ago, TonyDown said:

Who is still watching?

Surprised to see the Andrea Martin cameo, S3 e5.

Madame Dashkova!

Love her.

Yep - enjoying the season so far.  

[jeezifonly]

There’s suddenly an awful lot of things going on with/swirling around, both houses. Not sure the writing is up to the task of avoiding a Moldavian Massacre situation for the season finale. 

I’m kinda sad about what’s going to waste…  
(Significant acting talent and copious yards of fabric)

[ManTouch]

Getting dressed for the Gilded Age

Claybourne Elder (@claybourneelder) • Instagram reel

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

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1,783 likes, 52 comments - claybourneelder on July 20, 2025: "Getting my John Adams on for...

Edited July 21 by ManTouch
add text

[jackcali]

4 hours ago, jeezifonly said:

There’s suddenly an awful lot of things going on with/swirling around, both houses. Not sure the writing is up to the task of avoiding a Moldavian Massacre situation for the season finale. 

I’m kinda sad about what’s going to waste…  
(Significant acting talent and copious yards of fabric)

Massive props for "Moldavian Massacre" reference!!

[MikeThomas]

I'm quite enjoying this season.  The Duke of Buckingham could have turned out to be a real asshole, but he's actually very sweet with his new wife.  I hope the footman doesn't lose his new found fortune.  Larry was very relaxed about telling the footman at the club they visited that you can find whatever you want there including men.

 

 

[TonyDown]

33 minutes ago, MikeThomas said:

I'm quite enjoying this season.  The Duke of Buckingham could have turned out to be a real asshole, but he's actually very sweet with his new wife.  I hope the footman doesn't lose his new found fortune.  

I had a similar thought.  Soon enough, his and other fortunes may be lost.