Could The Age of Innocence adaptation by Netflix be the perfect replacement for HBO's The Gilded Age? Speculations explored 

The new Netflix drama The Age of Innocence is being compared with The Gilded Age, as the two shows share some similar themes. The Gilded Age portrays a 19th-century elite Manhattan society, which has on one side people with generational wealth and on the other the industrialists and social climbers who want to carve their place in the elite society. The Age of Innocence is a fresh adaptation of the same society but from a less wide and more intimate lens. Moreover, it is based on an award-winning novel that was already adapted to a film in 1993.

Fans would like to know if the two shows could be replaceable. So, let's dive deep into what the two shows have to offer and the themes and stories they follow to better conclude the answer to the much-anticipated question.

Here are the similarities and differences The Age of Innocence shares with The Gilded Age.

The Netflix show follows Newland Archer, his fiancée May Welland, and the scandalous Countess Olenska, whose divorce almost threatens New York society. It is filled with youthful energy, the heart's desire posing against societal expectations. On the other hand, The Gilded Age is less character-driven and paints a bigger picture of society, portraying the darkest side of the seemingly elite and the scandals and gossip within the glamorous group.

The Age of Innocence is about the love triangle between Archer, his fiancée, and the Countess Olenska. The tone is mostly romantic, while the stakes revolve around the emotions of these three characters.

While both shows are set in Manhattan, The Gilded Age is more of a spectacle of the society of the late 1880s, highlighting the hierarchies that ruled and existed then. The Age of Inocence, on the other hand, immerses viewers into 1870s elite society, but from a more personal lens, diving deep into characters' lives.

Could The Age of Innocence adaptation by Netflix be the perfect replacement for HBO's The Gilded Age?

The Age of Innocence comes with some cultural weightage, being adapted from a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. On the other hand, the HBO show already has some momentum and fan loyalty with its long and interesting arcs and character chemistry.

The Age of Innocence may heavily lean on romance and emotional drama, unlike the high-stakes intrigue that viewers witness in The Gilded Age. Indeed, Netflix would have to match the production quality of The Gilded Age, as the standards are already high. It has to ace their game with meticulous production design and attention to detail to present an authentic portrayal of the time period.

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Therefore, we can say that Netflix’s adaptation may not “replace” HBO’s The Gilded Age outright, but it could complement or even rival it by targeting slightly different viewer desires. If you are someone who enjoys emotional tension, character-driven stories, and forbidden love, The Age of Innocence could be better.

On the other hand, for those who are looking forward to witnessing more social politics, wealth, and seeing their favorite star ensemble, The Gilded Age is the show for them. The viewers literally have a win-win choice, as both shows are great and also offer different flavors of Golden Age intrigue, one more societal and political, while the other is more complex and emotional.

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