I Can't Wait For Season 4 Of The Gilded Age. Here's What We Know About It, Including Some Great New Cast Members

The popularity of The Gilded Age, the first three seasons of which are currently available with an HBO Max subscription, just keeps growing. The Julian Fellowes-produced show is a natural follow-up to his hit Downton Abbey, which came to a (presumable) end last year with the final movie, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Like that series, The Gilded Age is great at giving fans what they want: drama and turn-of-the-century eye candy.

The show was renewed in July 2025 for a fourth season, and it promptly set a record for viewers, with the Season 3 finale bringing in its highest ratings ever for the season finale. That finale, which aired at the beginning of August, also left us with a lot of unanswered questions that have fans like me already waiting with bated breath for Season 4.

We're pretty sure Season 4 will hit the 2026 television schedule later this year, and we've learned about some exciting cast additions, so let's get into what we know so far.

What Is The Season 4 Release Date

Of course, this is the biggest question, but unfortunately, it's too early to know. The Gilded Age Season 4 release date hasn't been announced yet.

Going on previous gaps between seasons, I can make a decent guess that sometime around March 2027 is when Season 4 will air. That’s about 19 months after the end of Season 3, which aired 19 months after Season 2. And Season 2 came about 20 months after Season 1. However, given the growing fanbase of the show, as it just seems to keep gaining viewers, and the fact that the show was included in HBO's sizzle reel for 2026, I'm holding out hope that maybe it'll premiere before the end of the year.

The show had remarkable success in Season 3 in terms of ratings, with each of the final three episodes setting new viewership records each week. HBO may consider striking while the iron is hot and pushing for a shorter timeline.

Returning Cast Members

All of the regulars we've come to know and love will be returning to The Gilded Age cast for Season 4. And there are some really fun new additions as well, including Dennis Haysbert and Jim Gaffigan (and he's playing a former president!) Here's who we know will be back:

Carrie Coon (Bertha Russell)

As the de facto lead character in a show with a truly ensemble cast, Carrie Coon will be back to play Bertha Russell, the ambitious wife of a robber baron determined to rule New York Society in the 1880s and ‘90s. Coon was nominated for an Emmy in 2025 for her work in Season 2, and I’d be surprised if she isn’t nominated again next year for this most recent season. She’s remarkable on the show.

Morgan Spector (George Russell)

Morgan Spector plays George Russell, Bertha’s husband, a ruthless robber baron and powerful member of the business community. George isn’t afraid to risk everything to dominate commerce and destroy his business rivals. Season 3 ended with George and Bertha separated, with George no longer living in the lavish mansion on 61st Street, but at his club instead.

Louisa Jacobson (Marion Brook)

Marion Brook, played by Louisa Jacobson, ended Season 3 with her engagement to the Russells’ son, Larry, and that relationship is sure to play a large role in the upcoming season of The Gilded Age.

Taissa Farmiga (Gladys, Duchess of Buckingham)

Season 3 was a huge turning point for the Russells’ daughter, Gladys, who became what was known as a “Dollar Princess,” an American heiress who was married off to a member of the British Aristocracy. Gladys married the Duke of Buckingham towards the end of the season and is now living on his estate in the U.K. Though she's living on the other side of the ocean, I'll bet she can still influence her father.

Harry Richardson (Larry Russell)

Larry’s engagement to Marion at the end of Season 3 ensures that Harry Richardson will almost certainly play a large part in the next season of the show. He also seems poised to follow in his father's footsteps, running Russell Consolidated Trust.

Denée Benton (Peggy Scott)

Denée Benton has had quite a few ups and downs in her life, and at the end of Season 3, things were definitely looking up, as she is engaged to Dr. William Kirkland (Jordan Donica, who has been promoted to a series regular for Season 4). As she’s been one of the main characters since the beginning, we’ll certainly be keeping up with the next phase of her life.

Cynthia Nixon (Ada Forte)

Ada Forte, or Aunt Ada, played by HBO veteran Cynthia Nixon, had a fascinating story arc in Season 3, after becoming the head of the household that had been dominated for so long by her widowed sister. How will that play out more in Season 4? It's sure to be tense.

Christine Baranski (Agnes Van Rhijn)

Christine Baranski’s Agnes Van Rhijn is a bit like the late Maggie Smith's character, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, in Downton Abbey. She’s got a sharp tongue and plenty of quips about how terrible change is in the strict world of the Victorian/Gilded Age. She's on her back heels now that her sister controls the family's fortune.

The Various Downstairs Characters

The staffs in the Russell and Forte houses has always been an important part of the story, and as such, actors like Simon Jones (Bannister), Jack Gilpin (Church) aren't yet confirmed, nor is Ben Ahlers (whose character, Jack, now finds himself with his own house after striking it rich), Douglas Sills (Monsieur Baudin/Mr. Bordan) is also not cofirmed, but he's become one of my favorite characters, so here's to hoping the chef is back in the kitchen!

New York Society

Of course, the heart of the show is the ruthless drive to sit atop all of New York Society. Donna Murphy will be returning as the formidable Mrs. Astor, Ashlie Atkinson, who plays Mrs. Fish, has been promoted to series regular, and Blake Ritson (Oscar Van Rhijn) is set to return. Kelley Curran as Enid Winterton (the former maid known as Turner) and Audra McDonald (Dorothy Scott) will also be back.

One character that might not return (though I’d hate to see him go) is Ward McAllister, played by Nathan Lane. McAllister ended the season in disgrace and was shunned by all society. This happened to the real McAllister in 1890, and he never recovered. Not everyone has been confirmed, including, most notably, Phylicia Rashad, but I'm still holding out hope she will be added soon.

New Cast Members

There have been some exciting additions to the cast announced by HBO as well. Jim Gaffigan will try his hand at playing a US President, portraying President Grover Cleveland. Dallas Roberts will be playing Cleveland's Treasury Secretary Daniel Manning. 24 and Major League star Dennis Haysbert has also joined the cast as a character named Dr. Reginald Harris. Other new additions include:

• Bonnie Milligan as gossip columnist Louisa Knapp Curtis
• Neal Huff as John D. Rockefeller
• Taylor Trensch as Oliver
• Maggie Kuntz as Fiona Summers
• James Scully as Lee Klein
• Elizabeth Marvel as Virginia
• Andrew Burnap

As a fan of American history, I'm stoked to see names like President Cleveland and John Rockefeller on the cast list.

What I Hope To See In Season 4 Of The Gilded Age

Season 3 left us with a number of cliffhangers and questions. Gladys is pregnant, Bertha and George are estranged, despite George’s recovery from the shooting, Larry and Marion are engaged, and the balance of power in New York society is on the verge of shifting from Mrs. Astor to Bertha. Jack has come into a tremendous amount of money, alongside Larry, after selling his alarm clock patent. Peggy and Dr. Kirkland are engaged, which will certainly anger the doctor’s snobby mother (Phylicia Rashad).

So many questions and, sadly, likely a long time will pass before we see where each story goes, but I’ll be sure to update this story whenever we have new news to report!