Returning to the Ball: Why We Still Fancy The Gilded Age’s Gossipy World

The anticipation is building as we count down to 22 June, when The Gilded Age returns for its third season. HBO’s sumptuous period drama promises another eight episodes of stately homes, glittering parties and backroom deals that could reshape New York society forever. For millions of viewers, it’s the perfect excuse to slip back into a world of silk ballgowns, whispered secrets and elaborate social rules that feel both deliciously foreign and surprisingly familiar.

Why The Gilded Age Still Feels Addictive

In 2025, period dramas continue to captivate audiences in ways that feel almost therapeutic. Research shows that period dramas like Bridgerton and Downton Abbey gained massive popularity during difficult times, offering viewers emotional refuge through opulent settings and engaging personal stories. Just as Bridgerton brought Regency England to life, The Gilded Age taps into this same desire for escapism, but with a uniquely American twist.

Women viewers, in particular, are drawn to the series’ blend of historical intrigue and relatable social drama. The show has steadily grown its audience since its 2022 debut, with the season one finale reaching 1.6 million viewers across HBO platforms – a 54% increase from the premiere. There’s something irresistible about watching Bertha Russell navigate the treacherous waters of 1880s New York society, scheming her way to the top whilst surrounded by more luxury than most of us will see in a lifetime.

The series cleverly mixes actual New York history with addictive storytelling. The real Gilded Age was defined by fierce rivalries between old-money families like the Astors, who controlled New York’s social circles, and nouveau riche families such as the Vanderbilts, who were initially shunned despite their immense wealth. These historical tensions form the backbone of the show’s most compelling conflicts.

Characters We Love (and Love to Judge)

Season three brings back all our favourite characters in various states of social upheaval. Carrie Coon’s Bertha Russell remains the show’s magnetic centre – her relentless schemes to climb the social ladder provide both comedy and genuine tension. Meanwhile, Peggy’s journey in Brooklyn continues to explore the experiences of the Black elite during this period in American history.

Christine Baranski’s Agnes van Rhijn maintains her stiff upper lip even as the old social order crumbles around her. Her ongoing battle to preserve traditional values whilst watching her world change makes for compelling viewing. Then there’s Marian’s perpetually tangled love life, which promises even more complications this season.

The new arrivals look equally intriguing. Phylicia Rashad joins as Elizabeth Kirkland, described as ‘a woman from a prominent family in Newport with ties dating back to the American Revolution, who has high standards and an occasionally sharp tongue’. Victoria Clark appears as Joan Carlton, representing the old money side of New York high society. Both promise to shake up the existing social dynamics in ways that should keep us glued to our screens.

What’s New in Season Three

The official trailer hints at major upheaval ahead. Most intriguingly, we hear George Russell declare: ‘Our family is on the verge of collapse.’ Given that the Russells have spent two seasons clawing their way to social acceptance, this suggests the precarious nature of their position may finally catch up with them.

The trailer’s tagline – ‘In the new world, love can conquer all or cost you everything’ – suggests romance will play a central role, with marriages and possibly divorces on the horizon. In an era where marriage was as much about social strategy as affection, these romantic entanglements carry extra weight.

This potential Russell family crisis could provide the perfect opportunity to explore the fragile dynamics between old money and new money. Historically, families like the Vanderbilts faced constant scrutiny from established society, with their wealth never quite enough to guarantee lasting acceptance. A Russell family scandal could send shockwaves through both camps.

The Ritual of Sunday Night TV

There’s something especially satisfying about The Gilded Age claiming HBO’s coveted Sunday 9pm slot. Sunday evening premieres have become appointment television, creating a shared cultural moment when millions of viewers simultaneously escape into the same fictional world. It’s comfort viewing elevated to an art form – the television equivalent of a warm bath after a long week.

For UK viewers, the series will be available on Now TV and Sky Atlantic, ensuring that British audiences can join the conversation in real-time rather than waiting for delayed broadcasts. Weekend streaming has evolved into sophisticated cultural escapades, with shows like this creating extended viewing experiences that continue long after the credits roll.

Trading Modern Stress for Historical Drama

In our age of constant connectivity and real-world anxiety, there’s genuine joy in switching off our phones to immerse ourselves in the problems of people who lived over a century ago. The Gilded Age offers the perfect balance – drama that feels consequential within its world whilst remaining safely distant from our own concerns.

The pleasure lies partly in the gorgeous production values, but also in the simple act of caring deeply about whether Bertha will succeed in her latest social manoeuvre or how Marian will resolve her romantic dilemmas. Period dramas like this inspire fashion trends and spark conversations about historical parallels, but mostly they provide that increasingly rare commodity: a few hours of pure escapism.

Just as The Crown’s costumes captivated audiences with their historical glamour, The Gilded Age’s sumptuous gowns and elaborate settings offer that same visual feast. Sometimes feeling glamorous is as simple as watching other people live beautifully complicated lives whilst you’re curled up on your sofa in pyjamas.

So mark 22 June in your diaries and prepare to trade your group chats about modern life for snarky commentary about sumptuous gowns and society intrigue. Sometimes the best medicine is losing yourself in someone else’s beautifully complicated problems – especially when they come wrapped in silk and served with champagne in a Newport mansion.