Russells, Van Rhijns and dukes, oh my! Who's who in 'The Gilded Age' Season 3
It's not easy to remember exactly which rich and pretty young lady is which on "The Gilded Age."
HBO's costume drama, set in the height of American excess and splendor in the late 1800s, returns for its third season June 22 (9 ET/PT). And while there's still plenty of societal machinations, bustled gowns and upstairs/downstairs melodrama in the series, created by Julian Fellowes ("Downton Abbey"), it can all be a bit difficult to keep straight.
Even the characters, led by Christine Baranski, Carrie Coon and Cynthia Nixon among the large ensemble cast, need the gossip rags to help them keep track of who is courting whom, who is up (or down) on the social hierarchy and which opera house reigns supreme.
Ahead of the Season 3 debut, we've prepared a primer on the members of New York society, so tasteful that even the highfalutin Mrs. Astor (Donna Murphy) would approve. And if you're a fan of Broadway, you'll be delighted with the staggering number of theater actors that make an appearance.
The Van Rhijn Household
Upstairs: Mrs. Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski), Mrs. Ada Forte (Cynthia Nixon), Miss Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) and Oscar Van Rhijn (Blake Ritson)
Downstairs: Miss Armstrong (Debra Monk), Mr. Bannister (Simon Jones), Jack (Ben Ahlers), Mrs. Bauer (Kristine Nielsen) and Bridget (Taylor Richardson)
Relations: Cousins Aurora Fane (Kelli O'Hara) and Charles Fane (Ward Horton)
While for many years the austere and exacting widow Agnes ran her East 61st Street home with an iron fist of propriety and high necklines, everything changed at the end of Season 2. Agnes' son Oscar lost the family fortune to an investment scam while her sister Ada inherited her own windfall from husband Luke (Robert Sean Leonard), whom the former spinster married just before his untimely death from cancer. Now Ada is in charge of the purse strings and Agnes fears her own obscurity and irrelevance. But keep an eye on their amiable cousin Aurora, because her fate this season might be far worse than Agnes'.
Young and bland Miss Marian is still balancing her desire to do real work with her aunts' desire that she marry someone of good breeding, while stealing secret kisses with young and incredibly wealthy Larry Russell (Harry Richardson) from across the street.
Downstairs, young footman and part-time inventor Jack is trying to sell a new style of alarm clock with Larry's help and leave the world of service and rigid class striations behind him.
The Russell Household
Upstairs: Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon), George Russell (Morgan Spector), Larry Russell (Harry Richardson) and Gladys Russell (Taissa Farmiga)
Downstairs: Mr. Church (Jack Gilpin), Mrs. Bruce (Celia Keenan-Bolger), Monsieur Baudin (Douglas Sills) and Adelheid (Erin Wilhelmi)
Interested parties: The Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb), Richard Clay (Patrick Page)
Pretty much the queen of society since her Metropolitan Opera House won out in the battle with the Academy of Music in Season 2, Bertha has her sights set on cementing her new status by marrying her daughter Gladys to the British Duke of Buckingham. The impoverished duke needs Gladys' dowry to prop up his family's estate, and Bertha may have promised him a bit too much without informing George or taking Gladys' wishes into account.
Meanwhile, George is trying to go bigger and better with his businesses, mounting a scheme to build a railroad from New York to Chicago to Los Angeles. It might lose him everything, his most trusted lieutenant Richard warns.
The Scott Household
Miss Peggy Scott (Denée Benton), Mrs. Dorothy Scott (Audra McDonald) and Mr. Arthur Scott (John Douglas Thompson)
Back from her reporting trip in Season 2, Peggy is once again spending less time as Agnes' secretary at the 61 Street house and more time finding her own path in life. Love might be in the air this season, thanks to a handsome new doctor who comes into her life (more on him below). But her parents are wary of his snobbish family.
New 'Gilded Age' characters in Season 3
Dr. William Kirkland (Jordan Donica): A Black doctor who treats Peggy for an illness after the Van Rhijn's family physician refuses to treat her because she's colored, William takes a particular shine to his patient. He comes from a very old Black family in Newport.
Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkland (Phylicia Rashad): The all-powerful matriarch of the Kirkland family is proud, patronizing and immediately judgmental of the Scotts, because Arthur is a former slave. The Scotts also notice Elizabeth discriminates against them (and her own grandchildren) because they are dark-skinned.
JP Morgan (Bill Camp): The banker and American aristocrat whom George calls upon for help in his latest railroad venture.
Monica O'Brien (Merritt Wever): An unwelcome guest for the Russells: Bertha's sister.
Madame Dashkova (Andrea Martin): Adding a touch of mysticism and superstition to the series, Andrea Martin ("Only Murders in the Building," "My Big Fat Greek Wedding") plays a fortune teller who says she can speak with the dead.