The Gilded Age Season 3: Meet The Full Cast—New Titans, Returning Royalty, And Major Historical Figures

The Gilded Age, Julian Fellowes’ lavish period drama, is returning with a highly anticipated third season, and the cast is once again a stunning mix of Broadway royalty, Hollywood veterans, and exciting new players. As of today, December 18, 2025, the most exciting news is the official premiere date for the new season, which is set to drop on HBO and Max on Sunday, June 22, 2025. This next chapter promises to deepen the conflict between New York’s 'New Money' and 'Old Money' with a roster of new characters, including a major historical figure, all set against the backdrop of 1880s New York society.

The core of the show’s success lies in its powerhouse ensemble, featuring a cast that brings the opulence and intense social politics of the era to life. Fans are eager to see the return of the formidable Russell and Van Rhijn families, alongside the introduction of fresh faces who will undoubtedly shake up the rigid social hierarchy. This guide provides a complete breakdown of the returning main cast and the essential new actors joining the drama for Season 3.

The Returning Titans: Main Cast and Character Biographies

The heart of The Gilded Age is the clash between the established elite and the ambitious newcomers. Season 3 sees the return of all the principal cast members, continuing their complex storylines of ambition, love, and societal maneuvering. Here is a look at the key returning players who define New York's aristocracy and the burgeoning new class.

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• Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell: The ultimate New Money socialite, Bertha is the ambitious wife of a railroad magnate. Her entire life is a relentless campaign to conquer New York society, challenging the old guard at every turn. Coon is known for her roles in Fargo and The Leftovers.
• Morgan Spector as George Russell: Bertha’s fiercely loyal and powerful husband, a railroad tycoon whose immense wealth and business acumen make him a constant threat to the Old Money establishment. His storyline often explores the industrialization and innovation of the era.
• Christine Baranski as Agnes van Rhijn: The staunch, sharp-tongued matriarch of the Old Money set. Agnes represents the rigid adherence to tradition and views the Russells’ New Money as an existential threat to her world. Baranski is a veteran actress known for The Good Wife and Mamma Mia!.
• Cynthia Nixon as Ada Forte (née Brook): Agnes’s sweet-natured, long-suffering sister who, in a major Season 2 development, finally found happiness and married the Reverend Luke Forte. Her new life as a married woman is a key focus for the new season. Nixon is beloved for her role in Sex and the City.
• Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook: Agnes and Ada's niece, a young woman from Pennsylvania who moves to New York and acts as the audience's window into the city's complex social dynamics. Her romantic life and attempts to find her place are central to the narrative.
• Denée Benton as Peggy Scott: An aspiring writer and Marian’s companion. Peggy’s storyline is vital, exploring the experiences of the Black elite in New York and the challenges of the publishing world. Benton is a Tony-nominated Broadway star.

New Players: The Major Season 3 Cast Additions and Their Roles

Season 3 of The Gilded Age is significantly expanding its ensemble, introducing a wave of new characters that will directly impact the lives of the Russells and the Van Rhijns. The casting news, announced in late 2024, highlights the show’s commitment to using acclaimed Broadway veterans, a signature of creator Julian Fellowes.

The Introduction of Historical Figures and Power Brokers

One of the most anticipated elements of the new season is the inclusion of real-life historical figures, which grounds the drama in the era's true history of monopolies and trusts.

• Bill Camp as J.P. Morgan: A massive addition to the cast, Camp will play John Pierpont Morgan, one of the most powerful financiers and bankers in American history. His presence is expected to have a direct impact on George Russell's business empire and the financial landscape of New York.
• Phylicia Rashad as Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkland: Rashad, an Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress, joins the cast as the matriarch of the prominent Kirkland family. Her character is expected to play a crucial role in Peggy Scott’s storyline, linking the Black elite of New York.
• Jordan Donica as Dr. William Kirkland: Playing Mrs. Kirkland's son, Dr. Kirkland is described as a kind and handsome doctor who is not as narrow-minded as some of his contemporaries. His character will likely intersect with Marian Brook and Peggy Scott.
• Leslie Uggams as Ernestine Brown: Uggams, another Broadway legend, joins the cast in a role that is yet to be fully detailed but is part of the expanded focus on the African American community in the city.

The New Socialites and Aristocrats

The social battleground of New York is expanding with new society figures, including a relative of Bertha Russell and a British nobleman, promising fresh conflict and intrigue for the Old Money vs. New Money dynamic.

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• Merritt Wever as Bertha’s Estranged Sister: Wever, known for her Emmy-winning work, will portray a character who is Bertha Russell’s estranged sister. Her arrival will undoubtedly bring a new, personal layer of complexity and potential vulnerability to the formidable Bertha.
• Michael Cumpsty as Lord Mildmay: Cumpsty, a Tony-nominated actor, plays a British nobleman. The introduction of European aristocracy, a common element in Gilded Age society, suggests new social ambitions for Bertha and new romantic possibilities for the younger characters.
• Kate Baldwin as Nancy Adams Bell: Baldwin, also a Tony nominee, will play the older sister of Claybourne Elder’s John Adams, a character who has previously appeared in the series. Her role will likely involve the existing social circles and their intrigues.
• Dylan Baker as Dr. Logan: Baker, known for his work in The Good Wife, joins as a family doctor, Dr. Logan. In a time before modern medicine, a doctor's role in a wealthy household was significant, often privy to private family matters.

The Enduring Appeal of The Gilded Age: Topical Authority and LSI Keywords

The enduring fascination with The Gilded Age stems from its deep dive into a pivotal era of American history—a period of rapid industrialization and innovation, massive wealth creation, and stark social divides. Creator Julian Fellowes, the mastermind behind Downton Abbey, masterfully uses the cast to personify the era's central conflict: the tension between the Old Money establishment and the ambitious New Money class.

The show's topical authority is built on its meticulous historical detail and the inclusion of real-life figures like J.P. Morgan, who represent the big business and monopolies that defined the late 19th century. The storylines frequently touch upon crucial LSI keywords and themes, such as labor unions and strikes (often involving George Russell), the role of women in society (through Bertha and Agnes), and the challenges faced by the African American elite (through Peggy Scott). The show is not merely a costume drama; it is a complex exploration of power, class, and the birth of modern America.

With a cast that includes over 15 Tony-nominated and Tony-winning Broadway veterans, the series has a theatrical gravitas that few other period dramas can match. The sheer talent of actors like Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, and Denée Benton ensures that every social clash, every whisper, and every grand ball is delivered with maximum dramatic impact. The new season, premiering in June 2025, promises to be the most explosive yet, as the New Money forces, led by the indomitable Bertha Russell, continue their relentless assault on the Old Money gates.

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