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The Gilded Age Season 3 is on its way, and before jumping into the next chapter of 1880s New York, it’s important to go back over the key developments from Seasons 1 and 2. Created by Julian Fellowes, the show explores power, wealth, and social rules in a rapidly changing city.
While the central battle between “old money” and “new money” families continues, every major character has seen their circumstances shift—some rising, others falling. By the end of The Gilded Age Season 2, Bertha Russell was locked in a public feud with the city’s old guard over the opera.
The van Rhijn family faced possible ruin. Marian Brook tried to hold her ground as an independent woman. And scandals within the Russell household exposed just how thin the line between social ascent and disgrace can be. If you’re heading into Season 3, these five storylines are what you need to keep in mind.
Social climbing, scandal, and survival: Catch up before The Gilded Age Season 3 kicks in
1. Bertha Russell’s rise and the “Opera War”
Bertha Russell’s biggest power move in The Gilded Age Season 2 was pushing for the success of the new Metropolitan Opera House. After being snubbed by the Academy of Music, she poured resources into the Met—a venue that offered box seats to anyone wealthy enough to pay, unlike the Academy, which limited entry to established elite families.
This sparked the "Opera War" and put Bertha directly at odds with Mrs. Astor and the old-money circle. By backing the Met, Bertha didn’t just challenge the system—she began to rewrite it. Her bold campaign gained traction, especially after she landed key society allies.
Her victory wasn’t complete, but it reshaped the social landscape. Heading into Season 3, she’s still not fully accepted by all, but she’s no longer someone the old guard can ignore.
2. The van Rhijns are no longer financially secure
Agnes van Rhijn and her family represent New York’s old-money aristocracy, but by the end of Season 2, their fortune is in serious decline. Oscar van Rhijn’s plan to restore the family’s finances by marrying Maud Beaton backfired when she disappeared with his money. The failed engagement left the family near financial collapse.
As a result, Agnes considered selling their longtime home and cutting staff. This shift from quiet affluence to financial worry marks a major change for a family that once looked down on the likes of the Russells. In The Gilded Age Season 3, the van Rhijns will be facing real consequences—ones that threaten their status and challenge their values.
3. Marian Brook’s push for freedom is still unresolved
Marian Brook entered the story as an orphaned newcomer living with her aunts. By Season 2 of The Gilded Age, she had endured one failed romance and a lot of pressure to settle down. But Marian kept making independent choices.
She started teaching art, a decision that drew disapproval from her aunt Agnes. She also attracted the attention of Dashiell Montgomery, a widower whose intentions remain uncertain. Marian's character arc has been about balancing personal agency with social limits. Where her story goes in Season 3 will depend on whether she continues forging her own path or gives in to expectations.
4. The Russells are united publicly, but scandals loom
George and Bertha Russell continue to present a strong partnership, but their family has had its share of trouble. Season 1 of The Gilded Age saw George face fallout from a train derailment tied to his railroad company. In Season 2, they had to deal with Lucy Winterton—Bertha’s former maid—who married into high society and returned to challenge her former employer.
Lucy tried to damage Bertha’s reputation by revealing details from her past, creating tension in the Russell household. George defended Bertha, and they presented a united front, but the episode showed how vulnerable even powerful families can be to gossip and social politics.
5. Old money vs. new money: The core divide is growing
At its heart, The Gilded Age is about the clash between inherited wealth and self-made fortunes. This divide has only grown sharper over two seasons. Labor protests in Pittsburgh, class tensions on Fifth Avenue, and public battles over institutions like the opera all point to a society in flux.
The Russells represent new money pushing forward. The van Rhijns show how old money can fade if not protected. Characters like Mrs. Astor, who used to hold all the power, now find themselves challenged. The Gilded Age Season 3 will likely continue this theme, with more people testing the boundaries of who gets to belong, and on what terms.
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These developments are crucial for understanding what comes next in the world of The Gilded Age. Season 3 won’t reset the board—it will build directly on the moves and mistakes that have already happened.
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