THE GILDED AGE SERIES
STARTS NEXT WEEK
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| New series starts this Monday on HBO Max |
It begins in 1882, with young Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson), the orphaned daughter of a Union general who moves into the New York City home of her thoroughly old money aunts Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) and Ada Brook (Cynthia Nixon). Marian inadvertently becomes caught up in a social war between one of her aunts, a scion of the old money
set, and her stupendously rich neighbors, the ruthless railroad tycoon and his ambitious wife, George and Bertha Russell, plus their son Larry.
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| New Julian Fellowes' series will air in nine hourlong episodes |
BERTHA RUSSELL
Played by Carrie Coon, she is determined to use her money and position to break into a polite society that resists change at every turn. She is ambitious ![]()
and desperate to join the cream of society and not entirely likeable. She enjoys egalitarian marriage with George.
and desperate to join the cream of society and not entirely likeable. She enjoys egalitarian marriage with George.GEORGE RUSSELL
Played by Morgan Spector he is a classic robber baron representing "new ![]()
money". He is a wealthy and ruthless railroad tycoon. He takes pleasure in every part of his life with huge vitality. Sometimes he can be a bit vile too.
money". He is a wealthy and ruthless railroad tycoon. He takes pleasure in every part of his life with huge vitality. Sometimes he can be a bit vile too. AGNES VAN RHIJN
Played by Christine Baranski, she is a proud and stubborn old money 
Dutch-American socialite clinging to the old values of New York City's elite. She is the pillar of the established upper class and a sort of a snob. MARIAN BROOK
Played by Louisa Jacobson (a rather bland face, who happens to be Meryl ![]()
Streep's daughter, nepotism much?) Marian Brook is penniless and sent to live with her estranged aunts! She is a sensible and kind pragmatist, except in love.
Streep's daughter, nepotism much?) Marian Brook is penniless and sent to live with her estranged aunts! She is a sensible and kind pragmatist, except in love. ADA BROOK
Played by Cynthia Nixon, she is optimistic, unmarried sister of Agnes and![]()
reliant upon her charity. She is middle aged, but has a heart of a girl. She is excited about the arrival of her niece, as she has no children of her own.
reliant upon her charity. She is middle aged, but has a heart of a girl. She is excited about the arrival of her niece, as she has no children of her own.PEGGY SCOTT
Played by Denée Benton, she is a young ambitious writer returning home![]()
after finishing her education. She is one of the first people that Marian meets upon her arrival in New York. Peggy does not care what the society thinks.
after finishing her education. She is one of the first people that Marian meets upon her arrival in New York. Peggy does not care what the society thinks.WHO ELSE IS IN THE CAST?
Set in the boom years of the 1880's New York, the series will also feature Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell, innocent and naive, yet ready to be
treated as an adult, Blake Ritson as Oscar van Rhijn, Agnes van Rhijn's charismatic son who does not return her adulation, Simon Jones as
Bannister, the Van Rhijns' butler, Harry Richardson as Larry Russell, recent Harvard University graduate eager to make his way in the world,
Thomas Cocquerel as Tom Raikes, a sensible young lawyer, smitten when he meets Marian, his late client's orphaned daughter, Jack Gilpin as Church,
the Russell family's butler, evading his past by excelling at his job, with Jane Tripplehorn and Nathan Lane also as guest stars. The series was originally planned for ITV ten years ago, then it moved to NBC and then to HBO and Sky.
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| Poldark's Harry Richardson is the son of the Russell family |
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| Blake Ritson is the son of the Van Rhijn family |
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| Australian hunkster Thomas Cocquerel plays an attorney |
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| Jane Tripplehorn also guest stars in the new series |