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The Gilded Age Season 3: Full Cast List, Explosive New Characters, And Major 2025 Plot Twists

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The Gilded Age Season 3 has concluded its run, solidifying its status as one of HBO’s most lavish and dramatically rich period dramas. As of this current date, December 23, 2025, the season has delivered on its promise of escalating the social war between the old money elite and the ambitious new guard, bringing several high-stakes plot twists and introducing a stunning array of new talent to its already star-studded ensemble. The eight-episode season, which premiered back in June 2025, saw the continued rise of Bertha Russell and the deepening complexity of New York’s social landscape.

This comprehensive guide breaks down every key player—from the returning titans of industry and society to the powerful new faces who dramatically altered the course of the narrative. Fans of the Julian Fellowes series were treated to major developments in the lives of the Van Rhijn, Brook, and Russell families, alongside a significant expansion of the storyline focusing on Peggy Scott and the complexities of the Black elite in 1880s New York City.

The Full Roster: Returning and New Cast Biographies for Season 3

The third season saw the return of nearly all principal cast members, ensuring continuity in the central conflicts. The power of the show lies in its ensemble, featuring a remarkable collection of Broadway and Hollywood veterans. Here is the complete list of the main cast who returned and the major new actors who joined the fray.

  • Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell: The indefatigable "new money" matriarch whose relentless ambition to conquer the New York social scene faces its toughest challenge yet, particularly in her quest for a box at the Metropolitan Opera House.
  • Morgan Spector as George Russell: The powerful railroad tycoon, whose business ventures face a formidable new enemy, forcing him into a high-stakes financial war.
  • Christine Baranski as Agnes van Rhijn: The staunch defender of "old money" traditions, whose world is continually threatened by the changes brought by the Russells and the new era.
  • Cynthia Nixon as Ada Forte (née Brook): Now married, Ada navigates her new life and newfound happiness, offering a stark contrast to her sister Agnes’s rigid worldview.
  • Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook: Still seeking her independence and place in the world, Marian’s romantic life and journalistic ambitions continue to drive her personal arc.
  • Denée Benton as Peggy Scott: Peggy’s career as a writer and her personal life, particularly her burgeoning romantic entanglement, are complicated by the introduction of a powerful new family.
  • Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell: Bertha’s daughter, who begins to assert her own will and independence, setting the stage for potential conflict with her mother.
  • Blake Ritson as Oscar van Rhijn: Oscar continues his search for financial stability and an advantageous marriage, a pursuit that takes several unexpected turns.
  • Simon Jones as Bannister: The Russell butler, whose quiet authority and dedication to the new money household remain a source of subtle comedy and drama.

Key New Cast Members and Their Pivotal Roles

The third season was defined by the introduction of several critically important characters, all played by celebrated actors, who directly impacted the main storylines.

  • Phylicia Rashad as Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkland: A woman of immense social standing in Newport, whose family lineage dates back to the American Revolution. She is the mother of Dr. William Kirkland and plays a central, complex role in Peggy Scott’s storyline, introducing themes of colorism and class within the Black elite.
  • Bill Camp as J. P. Morgan: The legendary American financier and banker. Camp’s portrayal of Morgan brings a formidable, real-life historical figure into direct conflict with George Russell, creating a major business and social rivalry.
  • Andrea Martin as Madame Dashkova: A charismatic but possibly fraudulent medium who claims to be able to contact the dead. Her presence adds a layer of spiritualist intrigue and potential scandal to the New York social circuit.
  • Merritt Wever: Joined the cast in a significant, undisclosed role that was central to the season’s exploration of the burgeoning labor movement.
  • Leslie Uggams: A celebrated Broadway veteran who took on a pivotal role that intertwined with the Newport society plot.
  • LisaGay Hamilton: Her character was a key figure in the extended storyline involving the Scott family and their societal standing.

The New York Battleground: Major Plot Lines and Character Arcs

Season 3 moved beyond simple social climbing and delved into more complex, often darker, themes of the late 19th century, including financial warfare, the role of women, and racial complexities. The season’s eight episodes were packed with developments that set up future conflicts for the main families.

One of the most significant overarching themes was the discussion of divorce and arranged marriages, reflecting the changing moral and legal landscape of the 1880s. This theme was explored through the secondary characters, prompting the main families to confront their own marital arrangements and the societal pressures placed on their children to marry advantageously.

Bertha Russell’s Opera House Obsession and the New Rivalry

Bertha Russell’s narrative arc focused intensely on her final push for absolute social dominance. Her primary goal remained securing a box at the Metropolitan Opera House, a symbol of old money acceptance. However, her ambition placed her in direct competition with a newly introduced, equally ambitious rival. The social maneuvering and backstabbing involved in this quest formed the backbone of the season’s society drama, showcasing Bertha’s cunning and tenacity. The stakes were higher than ever, forcing Bertha to make morally ambiguous choices to secure her family’s legacy among the New York elite.

Meanwhile, the financial stability of the Russell empire was severely tested. George Russell’s business dealings brought him into direct confrontation with the historical titan, J. P. Morgan. This clash of two financial behemoths was not just a business dispute; it was a battle for control and reputation in the rapidly industrializing American economy. The conflict saw George employ all his ruthless tactics to defend his railroad interests against Morgan’s formidable financial power, providing some of the season’s most intense drama.

The Newcomers Who Shook the Old Guard: J.P. Morgan and the Kirkland Family Drama

The integration of real-life historical figures and complex social issues gave Season 3 a fresh, unique feel. The casting of Bill Camp as J. P. Morgan was a masterstroke, immediately elevating the threat level to George Russell. Morgan’s presence in the narrative grounds the show in the true economic and industrial reality of the Gilded Age, where men like Russell and Morgan wielded unimaginable power over the nation’s infrastructure and wealth.

Equally impactful was the storyline involving Peggy Scott and the Kirkland family. The introduction of Phylicia Rashad as Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkland brought a necessary depth and nuance to the portrayal of the Black elite. Mrs. Kirkland, an established figure in the exclusive Newport society, represented a faction of the Black community intent on maintaining rigid social boundaries and class distinctions. Her disapproval of her son, Dr. William Kirkland’s, courtship forced Peggy to confront issues of colorism and class prejudice that were distinct from the racial barriers she faced in the white-dominated world of publishing. This storyline was widely praised for its complex and honest portrayal of the layered social dynamics of the period.

The Intrigue of Madame Dashkova

Andrea Martin’s character, Madame Dashkova, added a delightful element of social satire and intrigue. The rise of spiritualism and mediums was a popular, if often scandalous, trend in the late 19th century. Dashkova’s presence in the drawing rooms of the New York elite, claiming to channel spirits, provided a fascinating commentary on the gullibility and desperation of the wealthy. Her storyline offered a lighter, yet still compelling, distraction from the high-stakes financial and social wars, and provided a perfect vehicle for the show's signature wit and theatricality.

Looking Ahead: The Legacy of The Gilded Age Season 3

The eight episodes of The Gilded Age Season 3, which concluded its broadcast on HBO and Max, successfully deepened the emotional stakes for its main characters while broadening the historical scope of the series. The season’s focus on new, powerful figures like J. P. Morgan and Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkland ensured that the narrative remained fresh and unpredictable. By tackling complex issues such as divorce, arranged marriages, and intra-community class struggles, the series continues to prove it is more than just a lavish costume drama; it is a sharp, insightful look at the birth of modern America.

The performances by the returning cast, particularly Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell, were as commanding as ever, but it was the seamless integration of new talent that truly made Season 3 a standout. The cliffhangers left viewers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the lives of the Russells and the Van Rhijns, proving that the social war in New York City is far from over.

the gilded age cast season 3
the gilded age cast season 3

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