High Society, Fractured Marriages, and New Ambitions: Everything to Know About The Gilded Age Season 4
Julian Fellowes and Sonja Warfield’s acclaimed period drama The Gilded Age is set to return to HBO and HBO Max, diving straight back into the lavish ballrooms, brutal business maneuvers, and cutthroat social rivalries of late 19th-century Manhattan.
Following the dramatic fractures of the Season 3 finale—chief among them the bitter marital standoff between robber baron George Russell and his ruthless socialite wife Bertha—the upcoming eight-episode season pushes the narrative into 1885.
Season 3 Recap: Where the Players Stand
Before the season premiere, several major character arcs and alliances reached pivotal turning points:
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The Russell Marriage in Crisis: Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon) successfully maneuvered her daughter Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) into an aristocratic marriage with the Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb). While Gladys embraced her noble title and happily revealed she was expecting an heir, George Russell (Morgan Spector) could not forgive Bertha’s calculated ambition, walking out on their marriage.
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Peggy Scott’s New Path: Dashing physician Dr. William Kirkland (Jordan Donica) proposed to Peggy (Denée Benton), positioning her for a significant personal and professional evolution.
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A Pragmatic Alliance: Wealthy widow and former lady’s maid Enid Winterton (Kelley Curran) formed a tactical partnership with closeted socialite Oscar Van Rhijn (Blake Ritson).
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The Self-Made Inventor: Footman Jack Trotter (Ben Ahlers) successfully stepped outside domestic service, embarking on his journey as an independent clockwork entrepreneur and inventor.
Release Date and Episode Rollout Schedule
Season 4 will premiere on Sunday, November 1, at 9:00 PM ET on HBO and HBO Max. Consisting of eight weekly episodes, the season will run through late December:
| Episode | Air Date | Time | Platform |
| Episode 1 | Sunday, November 1, 2026 | 9:00 PM ET | HBO / HBO Max |
| Episode 2 | Sunday, November 8, 2026 | 9:00 PM ET | HBO / HBO Max |
| Episode 3 | Sunday, November 15, 2026 | 9:00 PM ET | HBO / HBO Max |
| Episode 4 | Sunday, November 22, 2026 | 9:00 PM ET | HBO / HBO Max |
| Episode 5 | Sunday, November 29, 2026 | 9:00 PM ET | HBO / HBO Max |
| Episode 6 | Sunday, December 6, 2026 | 9:00 PM ET | HBO / HBO Max |
| Episode 7 | Sunday, December 13, 2026 | 9:00 PM ET | HBO / HBO Max |
| Episode 8 (Finale) | Sunday, December 20, 2026 | 9:00 PM ET | HBO / HBO Max |
Timeline and Setting
True to its namesake era (roughly spanning 1877 to 1900), each season of the series advances historical time in New York:
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Season 1: 1882
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Season 2: 1883
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Season 3: 1884
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Season 4: 1885
How to Stream
Viewers can stream Season 4 on HBO Max:
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Ad-Supported Plan: $10.99 / month
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Ad-Free Plan: $18.49 / month
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Disney+ / Hulu / HBO Max Bundle: $19.99 / month (with ads) or $32.99 / month (ad-free)
HBO has not yet made an official renewal announcement regarding a potential Season 5, but network insiders remain optimistic given the drama’s strong viewership and critical acclaim.
