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The Gilded Age is back with a bang. Season 3 premiered on June 22 on HBO and has already earned the best reviews the show has seen so far. This period drama by Julian Fellowes, known for its elegant storytelling and dramatic 1800s high society setting, has always had a calmer tone compared to today’s intense, fast-paced TV shows. But Season 3 is raising the bar with bigger stakes and even more drama, and it’s clear the creators have no intention of stopping anytime soon.
Carrie Coon, one of the show’s stars, along with other cast members, is already speaking out about how much they’d love to continue the series beyond Season 3. Meanwhile, Fellowes and his writing partner Sonja Warfield recently sat down with TV Insider to talk about the show’s future. They made it clear they’re in it for the long haul; they’d happily keep telling stories for as long as HBO allows.
However, they also mentioned that they take a thoughtful approach to writing each season. While they’re dreaming of many more chapters, they carefully design each season to stand on its own. That way, even if HBO were to end the series, fans would still feel like they got a complete and satisfying story.
So, what’s the deal with Season 4? While nothing has been officially announced yet, there’s interest and excitement from the people behind the scenes and on screen. And if Season 3 continues to do well with both viewers and critics, chances are very good that HBO will greenlight another season.
Is The Gilded Age renewed for Season 4?
As of now, The Gilded Age hasn’t officially been renewed for a fourth season, but there’s reason to be hopeful. Season 3 has been met with glowing reviews, which could encourage HBO to move faster with renewal decisions than in the past. For context, Season 2 wasn’t confirmed until just after its finale aired in December 2023, even though Season 1 had earned a renewal just three episodes in. So while we’re still waiting for an announcement, the show’s strong reception could lead to good news sooner rather than later.
When The Gilded Age was first created, Julian Fellowes didn’t have a specific ending in mind. Instead, he and co-creator Sonja Warfield have taken a season-by-season approach. According to their interview with TV Insider, they treat each new season as a fresh reinvention of the show, intending to keep it engaging and dynamic. Warfield explained that they did plan out the end of Season 3 in advance and then worked backwards from that moment to shape the rest of the storyline.
Fellowes added that there’s no set number of seasons they’re aiming for. Since they don’t know if HBO will greenlight a fourth or fifth season, they aim to wrap up each season in a way that feels satisfying, but still leaves the door open for more. As he put it, the writers must strike a balance between resolution and possibility, making sure each season feels complete, yet leaves room for what’s next.
As for the cast, Carrie Coon, who plays the ambitious and powerful Bertha Russell, has openly expressed her excitement about doing a Season 4. She said the actors have already been talking about the future of the show, especially as it relates to Bertha and George Russell’s (Morgan Spector) marriage. Season 3 introduces some serious tension between them, particularly around their daughter Gladys’ future. Their differing opinions might drive a wedge between them, echoing the real-life scandalous divorce of William and Alva Vanderbilt, the historical couple the Russells are loosely based on.
Bertha’s involvement in preparing society to accept divorced women, as Coon explains, is not just out of kindness. It’s strategic. She’s always playing the long game, and it hints that if there’s a Season 4, her battles, possibly even a divorce, will become central to the plot.
All signs point to a strong creative vision and a cast that’s fully on board for more. While HBO hasn’t confirmed Season 4 yet, both the creators and stars are ready, and with fan support and positive reviews pouring in, the future looks promising for The Gilded Age.