Agnes Van Rijn never trusted Mr. Raikes in The Gilded Age - this is why her judgement was correct

Julian Fellowes developed the historical drama series The Gilded Age. The famous show mainly follows Marian Brook as she negotiates the intricate social gap between new and old money in New York City in the 1880s. The play examines race, class, and ambition in the heyday of American prosperity.

After its 2022 premiere, Season 3 debuted in June 2025 and in addition to other Emmy nominations, such as Outstanding Drama Series, the program received actor nominations for Coon and Baranski.

As per the storyline, Agnes Van Rhijn had reservations about Tom Raikes from the outset of The Gilded Age, believing he was more concerned with status than with love. Despite Marian's faith in him, Raikes proved Agnes correct by departing from her for a wealthier mate. Her judgment was based on experience, intuition, and a strong desire to protect her family.

More about Agnes Van Rijn and Mr. Raikes in The Gilded Age

Agnes Van Rhijn makes a name for herself right away as one of the most observant and realistic characters in HBO's The Gilded Age. She values custom, caution, and her family's reputation as a respected matriarch in New York's old-money society. At first, she is suspicious of Tom Raikes, the handsome lawyer who suddenly shows up in the life of her niece Marian Brook. While some have questioned her inflexible convictions, the Season 1 finale shows that her intuition about Raikes was spot on.

The attorney who manages Marian's late father's inheritance, Tom Raikes, is first presented. Raikes starts to express romantic interest in Marian after disclosing that she has nothing left. Although his attention seems sincere and friendly, Agnes is dubious right away. She wonders why, other than a hazy need to be close to Marian, a small-town lawyer would abandon his job and relocate to New York without any concrete plans.

Even wealthy families like the Russells find it difficult to fit in with New York high society, but Raikes does so with ease as the season goes on. Agnes's quick social rise is starting to worry her more and more. She sees it as a clear sign that Raikes is not only falling for Marian but is also after opportunity and status. Marian maintains her optimism and faith in her aunt's intentions in spite of his frequent warnings.

The season finale confirms Agnes' suspicions. Raikes abruptly announces that he intends to marry someone else, preferably someone more wealthy and influential. Marian is devastated and feels deceived. For Agnes, the result is painful but anticipated. She had informed her niece that Raikes was probably more interested in social climbing than in true attachment.

As per The Gilded Age storyline, Agnes is a compelling character. This is primarily because of her profound understanding of people and their motivations. Despite her harsh and haughty demeanor, she typically acts out of a desire to protect the people she cares about.

Agnes prioritizes intelligence and character over ethnicity, as seen by her employing Peggy Scott, a talented young Black writer, as her secretary.

Ultimately, The Gilded Age uses Agnes Van Rhijn’s story to highlight the risks of blind trust in a society driven by ambition and appearances. Her accurate judgment of Tom Raikes serves as a reminder that experience and caution often reveal the truth more clearly than charm. In the end, Agnes was not being overly critical—she was simply being right.

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