Set in 1880s New York City, The Gilded Age follows the lives of the city’s wealthiest families as old money clashes with new fortunes during a period of rapid economic and social change. From lavish parties and extravagant mansions to scandals, rivalries and arranged marriages, HBO’s historical drama explores the lengths people would go to secure their place in high society.
Created by Julian Fellowes, the mind behind Downton Abbey, The Gilded Age returns for its fourth season on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max. The eight-episode season will release new episodes weekly on Sundays.
Following the events of Season 3, The Gilded Age brings back many familiar faces alongside several new additions. Here’s everything you need to know about the cast of The Gilded Age Season 4.
You can watch The Gilded Age, and other popular HBO shows, plus so much more, all on DIRECTV.
‘The Gilded Age’ Season 4 Main Cast
Here’s a look at the main cast members returning for Season 4 of The Gilded Age:
Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell
Known from: Gone Girl, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Avengers: Infinity War, The Post, The White Lotus
Carrie Coon returns as Bertha Russell, the savvy, cunning and ambitious matriarch of the wealthy Russell family. Born into humble beginnings, Bertha has spent years fighting for acceptance among New York’s old-money elite, using her husband’s railroad fortune and her own social maneuvering to climb the ranks.
Determined to secure her family’s place among New York’s most influential families, Bertha has little patience for anyone who stands in her way. For much of their marriage, Bertha and George have been a power couple, fiercely devoted to one another and united in their pursuit of wealth and influence. However, Bertha’s determination to marry Gladys into British aristocracy, despite her daughter’s objections and George’s disapproval, has put a serious strain on her family relationships.
Christine Baranski as Agnes van Rhijn
Known from: Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Into the Woods, The Good Wife, Welcome to Mooseport
Christine Baranski returns as Agnes van Rhijn, the proud matriarch of one of New York’s oldest and most respected families. A staunch defender of old-money traditions, Agnes has little patience for the social climbers and newly wealthy families threatening the established order. Though she can be judgmental and intimidating, beneath her stern exterior is a fiercely loyal woman who cares deeply for her family, particularly her sister Ada, her son Oscar and her niece Marian.
Despite her resistance to change, Agnes occasionally reveals a surprisingly progressive side. While she turns her nose up to those who try to buy their way into society, she does have a genuine respect for people who work hard to improve their circumstances. She is occasionally willing to recognize talent and ambition regardless of someone’s background.
Cynthia Nixon as Ada Forte
Known from: Sex and the City, Ratched, The Big C, And Just Like That…, A Quiet Passion
Cynthia Nixon returns as Ada Forte, the kindhearted and optimistic younger sister of Agnes van Rhijn. Ada is compassionate and open-minded and, in many ways, the polar opposite of her outspoken and judgmental sister. In general, she is far less concerned with the social expectations of New York’s elite. She’s a hopeless romantic at heart and believes in marrying for love rather than status — and she encourages other to do the same.
After spending much of her life living in Agnes’s shadow, Ada finally found love with Reverend Luke Forte, only to be widowed shortly after their marriage. However, her husband’s unexpected inheritance dramatically changed her financial circumstances, allowing her to take over as head of the household after the family lost much of its fortune.
This reversal of roles was a turning point for Ada, going from living under Agnes’s authority to becoming the household’s financial provider. Since then, she has had a newfound sense of confidence and independence.
Morgan Spector as George Russell
Known from: Homeland, Boardwalk Empire, The Plot Against America, The Mist, Pearson
Morgan Spector returns as George Russell, a powerful railroad tycoon and the patriarch of the Russell family. A shrewd, calculating and fiercely competitive businessman, George has amassed an enormous fortune through his ruthless approach to business, rarely backing down from a challenge and showing no mercy to those who stand in his way.
Despite his cutthroat reputation, George is a devoted husband and loving father who shows a much softer side of himself at home. He has long supported Bertha’s social ambitions, with the two operating as a formidable team in their respective pursuits of wealth and influence. However, George has always drawn a line between business and family, believing that his children’s happiness should come before social advancement. His opposition to Gladys’s arranged marriage to the Duke of Buckingham has put him at odds with Bertha, threatening the once-solid foundation of their marriage.
Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook
Known from: Materialists
Louisa Jacobson returns as Marian Brook, the niece of Agnes van Rhijn and Ada Forte. After her father’s death left her penniless, Marian moved to New York to live with her wealthy aunts, where she was introduced to the convoluted world of high society. Unlike those around her, Marian has little interest in the rigid social hierarchies, preferring to judge people by their character rather than their wealth or social standing. She’s also determined to make something of herself, finding a sense of purpose through her work as a teacher.
Similar to Ada, Marian believes that marriage should be based on love rather than financial security. After two failed engagements, she found love with Larry Russell, the son of her wealthy neighbors. However, misunderstandings and insecurities have tested their relationship, leaving Marian to navigate the challenges of love and independence while balancing the expectations of her family, especially since the man she’s fallen for happens to be the heir of a railroad empire.
Denée Benton as Peggy Scott
Known from: UnREAL, Our Friend, The Drop: A Snowfall Saga
Denée Benton returns as Peggy Scott, an aspiring writer and journalist from an affluent Black family in Brooklyn. Educated at the prestigious Institute for Colored Youth in Philadelphia, Peggy is determined to build a successful career on her own terms, despite the racial and gender barriers of 1880s America. Her ambitions eventually lead her to work as a secretary for Agnes van Rhijn, where she develops an unlikely friendship with Marian Brook. Peggy isn’t afraid to challenge injustice or stand up for what she believes in, even when doing so comes at a personal cost.
Over the course of the series, Peggy has pursued her passion for writing through her work as a journalist, while also navigating complicated family relationships and personal tragedy. Season 3 brought a new chapter in her personal life when she fell in love with Dr. William Kirkland, a physician from a prominent Black family, and the pair got engaged.
Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell
Known from: American Horror Story, The Final Girls, The Nun II, 6 Years, The Bling Ring
Taissa Farmiga returns as Gladys Russell, the only daughter of George and Bertha Russell. Having grown up sheltered and constantly under her mother’s watchful eye, Gladys has spent much of the series fighting for the freedom to make her own decisions, particularly when it comes to love and marriage. Though initially naive and obedient, she’s gradually developed a stronger sense of independence and a willingness to stand up for herself.
In Season 3, Gladys was forced to marry Hector Vere, the Duke of Buckingham, despite her desire to marry for love. Now the Duchess of Buckingham, she’s beginning to find her footing in British aristocracy, learning to assert her authority and navigate the complicated dynamics of her new household. Surprisingly, she’s also beginning to resemble her mother in some ways, showing the same determination and ambition she once resented in Bertha, albeit with a gentler approach.
Harry Richardson as Larry Russell
Known from: Dunkirk, Poldark, Not Suitable for Work, Doctor Thorne, Total Control
Harry Richardson returns as Larry Russell, the charming and good-natured son of George and Bertha Russell. While his parents came from humble beginnings and worked their way into New York’s upper class, Larry and his sister have never known a life without wealth and privilege.
As a Harvard graduate, Larry has enjoyed opportunities and freedoms that few people his age could imagine. However, rather than simply follow in his father’s footsteps, he’s determined to make a name for himself, initially pursuing a career in architecture before becoming more involved in the family business.
Despite his privileged upbringing and occasional naivety, Larry is generous, loyal and protective of those he loves, particularly Gladys. He also hopes to find the same loving and supportive partnership he saw in his parents growing up, and his relationship with Marian Brook has given him that opportunity.
Blake Ritson as Oscar van Rhijn
Known from: Da Vinci’s Demons, Interview with the Vampire, The Count of Monte Cristo, Krypton
Blake Ritson returns as Oscar van Rhijn, the witty, charming and occasionally scheming son of Agnes. Oscar enjoys the privileges of high society but isn’t nearly as attached to its traditions as his mother. He’s particularly interested in securing his financial future through an advantageous marriage, although his ambitions are complicated by the fact that he’s a gay man living in an era when homosexuality is not publicly accepted. Beneath his polished exterior, Oscar struggles to reconcile his desires with society’s expectations.
Unfortunately, Oscar’s pursuit of wealth has gotten him into serious trouble. In Season 2, he fell victim to an elaborate investment scam that wiped out nearly the entire van Rhijn family fortune, leaving him disgraced and financially dependent on his Aunt Ada. After suffering further losses in Season 3, Oscar appears to have found a way back into high society through an unlikely alliance with the wealthy widow Enid Winterton. The two agreed to marry for mutual benefit, hoping to use their combined influence to challenge New York’s most powerful socialites.
Ben Ahlers as Jack Trotter
Known from: When the Streetlights Go On, The Village, Little Brother, The Last of Us
Ben Ahlers returns as John “Jack” Trotter, a former footman in the van Rhijn household. Orphaned at a young age, Jack has worked hard to make something of himself. He’s curious, resourceful and endlessly optimistic despite his less-than-ideal circumstances. He has a natural talent for mechanics and a passion for inventing things.
His big break finally came in Season 3 when, with the help of Larry Russell, Jack sold the patent for his innovative alarm clock design, earning a life-changing fortune. Suddenly finding himself among New York’s newly wealthy, Jack left his position in the van Rhijn household to pursue a new life as an inventor and businessman.
Jordan Donica as Dr. William Kirkland
Known from: Charmed, Blue Bloods, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Jordan Donica returns as Dr. William Kirkland, a kindhearted and accomplished physician from a wealthy Black family in Newport, Rhode Island. Despite his upbringing, William is less concerned with social status than many members of his elite social circle. Inspired to pursue medicine after visiting Arthur Scott’s pharmacy as a child, he has dedicated his career to helping others.
William first met Peggy Scott in Season 3 when he treated her for pneumonia, and their relationship quickly blossomed into romance. By the season finale, the two were engaged, although their relationship hasn’t been without complications. William’s mother has made no secret of her disapproval of Peggy, particularly her family’s background and outspoken views on social issues. Despite these objections, William remains committed to Peggy, unwilling to bend to his mother’s will.
‘The Gilded Age’ Season 4 New Cast
A few new faces are joining the cast of The Gilded Age for Season 4. Here’s a look at the actors and characters making their debut:
Jim Gaffigan as President Grover Cleveland
Known from: Chappaquiddick, American Dreamer, Peter Pan & Wendy, Running on Empty
Jim Gaffigan joins the cast as President Grover Cleveland, the 22nd president of the United States. Based on the real historical figure, Cleveland served two nonconsecutive terms in office, from 1885 to 1889 and 1893 to 1897, making him both the 22nd and 24th U.S. president. In Season 4, Cleveland visits New York to win favor with the city’s wealthy and influential families, with Agnes van Rhijn hosting a dinner in his honor.
Neal Huff as John D. Rockefeller
Known from: Spotlight, Moonrise Kingdom, The Sinner, Big Daddy, Radium Girls
Neal Huff takes on the role of John D. Rockefeller, the real-life American industrialist who founded Standard Oil and became the nation’s first billionaire. Born into modest circumstances, Rockefeller built an enormous business empire through his dominance of the oil industry.
Rockefeller was a ruthless businessman, but also a devout Baptist and philanthropist who donated hundreds of millions of dollars to education, medical research and charitable causes. Rockefeller’s arrival could shake up George Russell’s business dealings, as the oil magnate could become either a valuable ally or a formidable rival.
Dennis Haysbert as Dr. Reginald Harris
Known from: Far From Heavan, 24, Major League, The Thirteenth Floor, Lucifer
Dennis Haysbert joins the cast as Dr. Reginald Harris, a respected physician and mentor to Dr. William Kirkland. In Season 4, Harris travels to New York to raise funds for Freedman’s Hospital in Washington, D.C., an institution established to provide medical care to formerly enslaved people and other underserved Black Americans. A new romance surrounding the doctor has been rumored, although further details have not yet been revealed.
Adrienne Warren as Ava
Known from: The Woman King, Rustin, Black Cake, Women of the Movement, The Diplomat
Adrienne Warren joins the cast as Ava, a talented singer and cousin of Peggy Scott. Her arrival introduces another member of Peggy’s extended family, but few details have been revealed about her character ahead of the premiere.
Andrew Burnap as Porter
Known from: Snow White, WeCrashed, The Chaperone, One Night Only, The Front Room
Andrew Burnap joins the cast as Porter, an Ivy League-educated young gentleman from New York’s high society. Born into wealth, Porter has money to invest and is on the lookout for promising business opportunities. While his financial ambitions could bring him into contact with some of the city’s most influential businessmen, further details about him have yet to be revealed.
Elizabeth Marvel as Nurse Virginia Saville
Known from: Lincoln, Gifted, Swallow, Disclosure Day, Homeland, House of Cards, Lights Out
Elizabeth Marvel joins the cast as Nurse Virginia Saville, a compassionate woman working at the Neighborhood Settlement House on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Unlike the wealthy socialites at the center of the series, Virginia works directly with members of New York’s less fortunate communities.
Dallas Roberts as Daniel Manning
Known from: Dallas Buyers Club, Walk the Line, The Grey, Insatiable, 3:10 to Yuma
Dallas Roberts portrays Daniel Manning, a real historical figure who served as Secretary of the Treasury under President Grover Cleveland from 1885 to 1887. Before entering the federal government, Manning was a prominent newspaper publisher, banker and Democratic political organizer in New York. Dallas accompanies Cleveland during his visit to New York.
Taylor Trensch as Oliver
Known from: Bleeding Love, Your Monster, Things Like This
Taylor Trensch joins the cast as Oliver, a new addition to the van Rhijn household. Although his exact position in the household has not been confirmed, with the family’s financial circumstances and dynamics having changed considerably over the past seasons, Oliver arrives during an interesting period for Agnes and Ada.
James Scully as Lee Klein
Known from: Fire Island, Straight Up, Titans, You, Heathers
James Scully plays Lee Klein, an aspiring artist studying under the renowned American painter William Merritt Chase. While Lee is a fictional character, Chase was a real historical figure and one of the most influential American artists of the late 19th century. In Season 4, Lee sells his first painting at a memorable high-society event.
Maggie Kuntz as Fiona Summers
Known from: Her Broadway performances, including The Outsiders and John Proctor Is the Villain
Maggie Kuntz joins the cast as Fiona Summers, a free-spirited young woman and cousin of the prominent Astor family. Although she comes from a respectable and well-connected background, Fiona isn’t particularly interested in following every rule imposed by high society. Unafraid to challenge convention, she appears to have an independent streak that could put her at odds with the expectations of her influential relatives.
Bonnie Milligan as Mrs. Knapp Curtis
Known from: The Debut, Search Party, Happy!, And Just Like That…
Bonnie Milligan portrays Mrs. Knapp Curtis, the first editor of The Ladies’ Home Journal, an extremely influential women’s magazine. The character is based on Louisa Knapp Curtis, a journalist and editor who helped establish the publication in 1883. At a time when women’s professional opportunities were limited, Curtis pioneered one of the most popular magazines published in the United States at the time. In Season 4, she crosses paths with Agnes as preparations get underway for President Cleveland’s visit.
Watch ‘The Gilded Age’ With DIRECTV
There’s never a dull moment in New York’s high society, and The Gilded Age has plenty more drama in store for Season 4. Catch new episodes on HBO and HBO Max, or revisit previous seasons to get caught up on all the scandals, rivalries and everything in between.
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