Gilded Age Season 3 finally strikes gold with its most captivating season yet, expanding beyond Fifth Avenue to explore Black high society.

A Fresh Take on Historical Drama

HBO’s lavish period piece finally hits its stride in season 3.

Julian Fellowes expands beyond the glittering mansions of Fifth Avenue to embrace the equally fascinating world of Black high society.

This clever pivot transforms what was already a visual feast into something far more substantial and emotionally rewarding.

Picking Up Where We Left Off

The new season wastes no time diving back into the drama, despite the real-world gap between seasons.

Marian and Larry continue their clandestine romance while Agnes grapples with newfound poverty.

Meanwhile, her sister Ada suddenly finds herself holding the family’s purse strings, creating delicious tension between the siblings.

Power Struggles and Secret Desires

Across the street, the Russell household faces its own challenges.

Gladys sneaks around with Billy Carlton despite her mother’s grand plans for a royal marriage.

George focuses on his ambitious railroad project while the downstairs staff hunts for a mysterious spy leaking family secrets to the press.

Breaking New Ground

The show’s most significant improvement comes with its expanded focus on Black characters.

Previously limited to Peggy Scott’s storyline, season 3 finally explores the rich world of Black elite society.

This addition feels organic rather than forced, creating fascinating new dynamics that enrich the entire narrative.

Romance in Newport

Peggy’s budding relationship with handsome doctor William Kirkland introduces us to his affluent parents, Elizabeth and Frederick.

Their Newport setting provides a refreshing change of scenery and allows the show to explore class distinctions within Black high society itself, adding welcome complexity.

Confronting Reality

While still largely a fantasy, this season doesn’t shy away from addressing racism.

Agnes’s naïve belief in “good manners” as a solution prompts Arthur’s pointed response about centuries of slavery.

Even within Black society, prejudices around skin tone create meaningful conflict between families.

Women’s Struggles Take Center Stage

The season thoughtfully examines the limited options available to women.

Ada finds purpose in the temperance movement while a Fifth Avenue wife faces social exile after her husband demands divorce.

These storylines highlight the harsh reality that a woman’s status depended entirely on her husband’s position.

Star-Studded Excellence

The cast remains impeccable. Christine Baranski delivers cutting remarks with surgical precision as Agnes.

Cynthia Nixon brings quiet strength to Ada, while Carrie Coon perfectly embodies Bertha’s ambition.

The addition of theater legends like Audra McDonald and Phylicia Rashad creates electric scenes that practically leap off the screen.

Guest Stars Galore

The supporting cast sparkles with notable additions. Bill Camp brings gravitas as J.P. Morgan with his magnificent mustache.

Andrea Martin delights as a theatrical medium, while Merritt Wever provides a refreshing contrast to Bertha as her down-to-earth sister Monica.

A Minor Misstep

The season’s only stumble comes in the finale when tension between George and Bertha reaches a conclusion that feels somewhat out of character.

This small flaw hardly detracts from an otherwise spectacular season filled with glamorous balls, romantic gestures, and hard-won social victories.