The Gilded Age Season 3: Get Ready for More Drama as the Russells and Van Rhijn-Brooks Face New Challenges

Goodness, can you believe The Gilded Age is already coming back for a third season? This HBO period drama really knows how to keep us hooked with all its wealthy New York City residents. The end of season 2 left us with so many questions and some truly wild shifts in power. From Bertha Russell’s big opera win to Ada’s unexpected new role, there is a lot to remember before we jump back into the world of society squabbles and personal dramas. I know I am ready for it.

The series started with Marian Brook arriving in the city, ready to figure out her place. We have watched Bertha Russell fight tooth and nail to break into the exclusive old-money crowd. As the show has moved forward, these New York elites have been battling for influence through every social event you can imagine. It is a constant game of who is up and who is down. Season 2 really shook things up and left us on some major cliffhangers.

One of the biggest changes we saw was with Ada. Her marriage to Reverend Luke Forte seemed like the happy ending she deserved. She had always felt less important in her own home, often in Agnes’s shadow. Their marriage finally brought her real happiness and someone who truly loved her. But then, as The Gilded Age often does, it took a sharp turn. Reverend Forte was diagnosed with cancer and passed away so quickly. Ada was left heartbroken. His death also caused a huge shockwave through the Van Rhijn-Brook family. It really set up something major for Season 3. I felt terrible for Ada, but also so curious about what would happen next.

Bertha Russell's Society Triumph and the Shocking Fate She Has Planned for Gladys

The Opera War's Aftermath and a Daughter's Uncertain Future in The Gilded Age

One of the main battles of The Gilded Age season 2 was the big opera war. Bertha Russell put all her money and influence behind the new Met Opera House. She wanted it to be the popular spot for the season. This was a direct challenge to the old-money crowd, especially Mrs. Astor, who kept snubbing Bertha. It was a fight to see which opera would win the social scene, and Bertha was not holding back.

Bertha went head-to-head with Mrs. Winterton, who used to be Turner, over the best opera box. She worked hard to convince New York's high society that the Met was the place to be. Both she and Mrs. Astor tried to win over the Duke of Buckingham. By the time the operas finally opened, it was clear Bertha won the opera war by a lot. She achieved what she set out to do, and it showed that new money was gaining serious ground.

However, Bertha’s victory came with a huge cost. In order to win over the Duke and secure his attendance at the Met, Bertha made a shocking promise: her daughter Gladys. Mrs. Astor had offered the Duke plenty of money, so everyone wondered what Bertha could have given him that was more valuable. The answer was Gladys. This is a huge change for Gladys, especially since she had already turned down Oscar’s proposal because she was not in love with him. Bertha's desire for power drives her, even if it means setting up her daughter with someone Gladys might not truly love. If Gladys actually marries the Duke in season 3, it could lead to some very dramatic moments. I am definitely worried for Gladys.

Ada's Newfound Wealth Brings a Power Shift to the Van Rhijn-Brook Household

How a Family's Fortune Changes Hands and What it Means for Agnes and Oscar

The Van Rhijn-Brooks faced a stressful time in the second half of The Gilded Age season 2. Ada's marriage and her husband’s death were tough enough, but Oscar made things much worse. Throughout season 2, Oscar Van Rhijn tried to find a wife who would let him hide his sexuality. He started seeing Miss Beaton. Things seemed fine at first. But in episode 7, we found out Miss Beaton and Mr. Crowther were running a scam. Oscar lost almost all of his family's money to them. His mother, Agnes, was furious, and rightly so.

Because of Oscar’s mistake, the family looked like they would lose their house and everything they owned. Their luck changed only when Ada read Reverend Forte's will. In the last few minutes of season 2, Ada revealed that Forte left her everything. Their family would have more than enough money to keep their wealthy life. This pleased everyone and set up a huge power shift for season 3. For the first time, Ada is the head of the household and the employer for all their staff. This gives her real power, and I am excited to see how she handles it, especially with Agnes around.

Agnes Van Rhijn has always been very traditional and supported the old-money class. This often put her at odds with her niece Marian. Agnes also tends to boss her sister Ada around. While these traits did not change much, everything around her did. Marian kept expressing her wishes for her own life, like turning down a marriage proposal and going to the opera with Larry at the Met instead of the Academy. Even more, the dynamic between Ada and Agnes completely flipped. Ada's new money means she is now in charge. It will be interesting to see how Agnes deals with no longer being the main authority in her own home.

Marian's Search for Independence and Peggy's New Career Path and Personal Life

Exploring Love, Work, and Unexpected Challenges for Two Determined Women

From the start of season 1, Marian has always been a very modern woman, thinking ahead. Season 2 ended with her continuing this trend. Earlier in the season, Marian was introduced to Dashiell, a widower with a young daughter. They started seeing each other. In episode 6, Marian said yes to Dashiell's marriage proposal, even though she seemed unsure. In the final two episodes, this uncertainty became more obvious. Marian realized he had not moved on from his late wife. Ultimately, Marian rightly chose to break off the proposal, putting herself first. She also happily kissed Larry at the episode's end, hinting at a new romance for next season. I really hope this works out for her.

Peggy Scott was very busy in The Gilded Age season 2 with her work at the newspaper and helping to save the city's Black schools. But by the end of the season, she decided to go in a different direction. Peggy is an amazing writer, and she always has been. When she told Fortune she was leaving The Globe, she said she wanted to work more on her novel. While this might be partly true, it is not the only reason Peggy made her decision. Peggy realized she needed to quit the paper when she saw Fortune's wife and baby in town.

Peggy's mother warned her to be careful about her relationship with Fortune. Peggy had feelings for her boss throughout season 2, and they even shared a kiss in Tuskegee. Even though leaving the paper makes Peggy's future a bit uncertain for season 3, I think she made the right choice for herself. The official description for season 3 also hints that Peggy meets a handsome doctor whose family is not happy about her career. This could be a new love interest and another interesting challenge for Peggy.

What Else Can We Expect from The Gilded Age Season 3 and Its Returning Cast?

New Faces and Ongoing Struggles for Beloved Characters in New York City

The Gilded Age season 3 is set to premiere on Sunday, June 22, at 9 PM ET/PT on HBO and will stream on Max. The season will have eight episodes. The official description says that after the Opera War, the old guard is weaker. The Russells are ready to take their place at the top of society. Bertha wants something that would make her family even more important. George Russell takes a big risk with the railroad industry. This could change everything, or ruin him.

Across the street, the Brook household is in chaos. Agnes refuses to accept Ada’s new position as the lady of the house. As all of New York moves towards the future, their ambition might come at the cost of what they truly care about. The full cast list includes many familiar faces like Carrie Coon, Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, Morgan Spector, and Louisa Jacobson. Some cast members from season 2, like Nicole Brydon Bloom (Maud Beaton) and Sullivan Jones (T. Thomas Fortune), are not on the list. This means their characters might not return.

The new photos from season 3 give us a first look at Marian and Larry, likely in their courtship after their kiss in the season 2 finale. We also get a look at Jordan Donica’s character with Denée Benton’s Peggy. This suggests he might be her new love interest. Phylicia Rashad joins the cast as Donica's mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkland, a well-known woman from Brooklyn’s rich Black families. One photo that really stands out shows Bertha, George, and Larry Russell looking shocked in a church. Gladys is not in the photo. This makes me wonder if it is her wedding to the Duke, and if she is saying something surprising at the altar. Bertha arranged this marriage against George's wishes, so anything could happen.

I am eager to see how all these storylines unfold. The clash between old and new money, the personal sacrifices, and the search for love and purpose will surely make for another exciting season. The Gilded Age always delivers on its promise of drama, grand outfits, and a look into a fascinating time in history. I can’t wait to see what happens next.