Nov 07, 2026 3:30pm IST
‘The Gilded Age’ Season 4 Review: Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector Period Drama Remains Frothy and Unpausable, Despite a Few Stumbles
Every time Bertha Russell gets vindicated, an angel gets its wings. Or so fans of Carrie Coon’s indomitable character on HBO’s “The Gilded Age” believe. Currently in its fourth season, the period drama about the rich and gilded of the United States of America during the mid-1880s continues to deliver on the drama, scandal and frothy entertainment that it first promised with its debut season. If anything, as “The Gilded Age” Season 4 tries to prove that its first family, the Russells, aren’t invincible, it offers Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector a chance to flex those acting chops even further, while still saving some of the best sassy one-liners for Christine Baranski’s Agnes Van Rhijn.
Season 3 ended in a heartbreaking episode that begins with George Russell being mortally wounded after being shot and ends with a ball where Bertha’s triumph is undeniable but bittersweet. In her bid to claim power in New York’s society circles, Bertha is accused by her own family of using them as pawns. Even when Gladys’ arranged marriage to the Duke of Buckingham ultimately turns out to be a beautiful union, George’s brush with death jolts him awake to the realisation that he isn’t particularly fond of Bertha’s ways.
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Their son, Larry, blames his mother for his broken engagement with Marion Brook. Ultimately, the men leave Bertha alone at the Newport home, even as Gladys announces she’s also pregnant. Meanwhile, Agnes Van Rhijn, asked to be the president of the Heritage Society, agrees that Ada must run the household, which no longer includes footman Jack. Agnes’ son Oscar is still grieving the death of his former lover, John Adams, and even comes out to his family in a devastating scene. As for Peggy Scott, after a few roadblocks, chief amongst them the mother of Dr. William Kirkland, she is finally proposed to after William’s father intervenes.
“The Gilded Age” Season 4 jumps ahead a few months, offering fascinating updates on every character’s life. And almost everyone’s having a mostly great time. The new season offers an interesting turn of fates, where the Van Rhijns are actually having the best time while everyone else is struggling to adjust to a new world order. The Russells are once again in hot water as their business teeters on the edge, and it might seem a bit repetitive. But they aren’t as united a family as they were before, adding the necessary zing to their arcs. But those who support Bertha Russell's rights and wrongs will love to see her navigate this, this time aided by her daughter, Gladys.
The season offers three extremely delicious power tussles: Bertha Russell and Agnes Van Rhijn; Gladys and Enid (aka the Russells’ former maid, Turner) and her new husband as they compete against Bertha and George; and Peggy’s ambitions and her love for her husband, Dr. Kirkland. Even Jack’s struggle to get lightning to strike twice with his inventions is an interesting arc, so symbolic of how quickly the great big idea crashes and burns after one go. As for the other characters, there are some hits and quite a few misses, highlighting the biggest concern now for “The Gilded Age.” Its ever-expanding roster of characters makes it difficult to expend its runtime judiciously on every storyline. And so, some suffer from redundancy (Aunt Ada), while others suffer from drudgery (Marion and Larry).
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But “The Gilded Age” Season 4 remains unpausable television, because few can take you through this elaborate array of emotions without seeming ridiculous. The show revels in its campy, over-the-top, frothy drama that swings between resplendent balls, deathbeds and boardroom meetings and is powered by performances that invoke instant loyalty. Carrie Coon’s Bertha Russell stans are unwavering because Coon delivers Bertha’s ambition and pride straight to the vein. Christine Baranski is a career sass queen, and she continues to play Agnes Van Rhijn as a mood rather than a character.
Morgan Spector gets to explore a darker side of George Russell. It feels like watching a patriarch falter, and almost scares you. Taissa Farmiga, Kelley Curran and Blake Ritson are particularly enjoyable to watch this season as they come into their own. And everyone looks stunning while doing it.
“The Gilded Age” Season 4 has a few more surprises up its sleeve, and a way for Bertha Russell to be a hero and save the day again somehow. And just for that, the series scores another win.
“The Gilded Age” Season 4 is currently streaming on JioHotstar, with new episodes every Monday, until December 20, 2026.
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