User reviews

There are a metric ton of poor reviews for the Gilded Age, most of which seem disappointed that it's not Downton Abbey. Of course it's not. Nor is it Gosford Park, Belgravia, The English Game, Doctor Thorne, nor any number of other series and movies that the Baron Fellowes of West Stafford has written or produced.

The Gilded Age is best reviewed as a stand-alone series, and not any sort of spin-off or successor to the immensely successful Downton Abbey. Yes, the costumes and sets are spectacular, and the casting is sublime, led by the magnificent Carrie Coon (not "Coons", good grief. If you're going to put down her acting, the very least you can do is spell her name correctly). Other standouts are Morgan Spector, as robber baron. George Russell, and the always entertaining Nathan Lane, Cynthia Nixon and particularly Christine Baranski, as the witty, but sharp tongued Aunt Agnes.

It's not necessarily the best show on television, but it's far from the worst, and an easy binge watch, with consecutive story arcs that are well conceived and written. It's not historical drama, it's a costume drama, with a superb cast, and tightly scripted dialogue. It's not Downton Abbey, nor does it pretend to be. It is, however, a peek into the extravagant lives of the very rich in Post Civil War America.

Downton Abbey was about upstairs/downstairs affairs in the UK, while this dramedy is about old money/new money in America.

I found the writing hilarious. It's a dry, witty drama with many laugh out loud moments, although one needs to listen closely to notice them. This is not in your face, but subtle.

The costumes are gorgeous and the acting superb, as you'd expect from HBO and the big names involved.

Some of the previous reviewers commented that they didn't like how woke the show was, but I didn't notice that. As far as I could tell, gender and race issues are treated with historical accuracy.

I love this new show and can't wait for more episodes.

Julian Fellowes' mighty pen is back (and even more cheekier) in this lavish production. This time dealing with aristocratic socialite snobbery of the ugly kind, ruthless business affairs, political sabotaging, hidden homosexual relationships, racial prejudices, and society control freaks. (But I'm sure there is more after only viewing three episodes.)

And we're talking about the year - 1882! A radical period in New York upper-society with the changing of the guard among the wealthy, and the young radical breed coming into play. All carried out in the delicious Fellowian style. With snappy and sassy dialogue, infused with a grand soap opera worthy of a Verdi music score.

I'm really enjoying this show. Don't know what took me so long to start watching it, but here it is December 2023 and I've started watching season one. I love period dramas and this one is no exception. Most of the period pieces are British which is great but a New York point of view is refreshing, The best part about this show is that it's not a slow burn. Something happens in every episode. I am so tired of Netflix slow burns where nothing happens and an 8 episode series could boil down to one or two episodes.. This one keeps me interested. I really enjoy the costumes. Wow the dresses are just gorgeous and the homes and furnishings are beautiful. I mean could you imagine having money and living in a time like that.

What's not to like? Fabulous sets, beautiful and authentic costumes, Broadway actors, and an intriguing story line. This isn't something to over-analyze; just enjoy it!!

This show works as a fantastic fantasy where you imagine yourself as one of the rich and noble of Gilded Age New York.

It's beautifully written, full of colorful characters that each feel as motivated and purposeful as all the others. Their lives are fleshed out and their potential for stories is always taken to its limit.

Even though my own circumstances are about as far from the lives of these people as is possible, the show still managed to get me to feel for and understand the mentality and feelings of all the characters.

Not every sub plot is a knockout and not every interaction is engaging, but it's one of the more consistent writing jobs done in this genre.

Beyond the exceptional writing, it's a beautifully produced show. The costumes on particular are fantastic! Every episode brings a new set of special dresses to admire. And the sets.... Absolutely gorgeous. This is arguably the best show of it's kind in terms of production design.

All around, I wasn't expecting much when I initially turned it on but I was very pleasantly surprised. It's fantastic.

Reading some of these reviews is almost as entertaining as the show itself. Some proclaim to love Downton Abbey (which by the way also raised sensitive issues such as class, heritage and sexuality) but when it makes a small subplot in an American show - the trolls emerge proclaiming "no, no 'woke' stuff."

Anyway: The first episode is long but it does a good job of setting the stage. Love Baranski, Nixon did a fine job, Farmiga was not the right choice. Although I adore Coon as an actress (I'll never forget her performance in Leftovers), she didn't get to really flex in this role, yet.

I eagerly await the continuation and will update my rating as the season moves on. Which it will as I am sure irritates quite a few but gives the majority of us no reason for concern.

I've been waiting this for a while, especially since Fellowes mentioned it, I knew the premise could deliver a good show, and so it is. I'm giving it a 7* for the time being for I know it could be an 8 but I will reserve judgement until the end of the season.

Plus, all Fellowes' dramas are slow burners, even Downton Abbey was a bit much at first, there were dozens of characters presented at once, nothing made much sense until episode 3 so I knew what to expect on that regard but I want to make a defense, should that be the word, of this series. Aside of minor mistakes, façades not being the right stone, streets missing small details, the show presents the age rightly, especially one that was written a lot about, and mostly from a women's feud views. The men offer the backside of this, they didn't care about their wives' issues, they make business in between each other and let them manage the social side of their lives.

The show is heavily inspired from Alva Vanderbilt's takedown on Old New York, her bid on becoming socially acceptable agains Mrs Astor's 400, the Knickerbockers. Old ways vs the new way, Americans, especially Newyorkers, finding their footing in the new order where the US was beginning to be a power in its own right, and so, then, of course, the Buccaners, the most famous 3: Minnie Stevens, Jennie Jerome, and Consuelo Vanderbilt, the first 2 ones ran away from NY due to the lack of acceptance their families had, Alva was of a sterner material, first she won at home, and then she placed Consuelo as a duchess in England. Shortly after she divorced her husband, marry the love of her life, and then became an activism for women rights, vote, etc. What a woman, ha!

I also disagree with those who refer to this as woke, luckily is not, Fellowes loves to introduce these "downstairs" stories, and it is going to be one of the lines to go, so I like that, he is also usually thorough when it comes to details, I mean, don't expect seeing Peggy marrying a Vanderbilt or an Astor, he does not play with history on that regard but there will some surprise there for sure.

I hope this one follows its course, it could run for 4 season easily, and more.

Visually stunning, great stories, so engaging. Just what I needed. Kudos to Julian Fellows on another hit. In spite of some users on IMDB not liking the show, it's a hit!!! Like Mrs. Russell, it will prevail.

First of all, the main character Marion Brooks is supposed to be 17/18. I. Real life this actress is 30 and looks it. Why not cast a genuine ingenue like Bridgerton did, and make it more credible?! Louise Jacobson is a pretty girl but she is not a radiant 18 year old carrying the storyline here.

Secondly the dialog is ok but the delivery is very modern. Awful. No subtlety or nuance or modulated voices. OMG where is Maggie Smith when you need her?!

Lastly, the characters thus far are caricatures of their historical referents. The ruthless mogul, the intractable snobbery, the guileless out-of-towner, etc

Overall, as compelling the sets and costumes, it is fighting against the flat delivery of dialog and predictable plot thus far.

Always takes a while for a series like this to introduce the characters and core structure and that is true here. What matters of course is if the audience is hooked enough to look forward to the next episode and this viewer certainly is.

This show is absolutely amazing! It draws you in from the very first few seconds and holds your attention throughout. You find yourself so caught up in the narrative that when the episode is over, you wonder how that's possible because it feels like it just started.

If you like the older period pieces, and you like watching how the upper class lived around the turn of the century (early 1900s), you're in for a treat with The Gilded Age. Not only does this show have a stellar cast with actors who came from the theater (which gives them an edge with this type of drama because it sets the tone that makes this show so riveting), but you can actually feel the tension between the "new" and the "old" New York money.

Treat yourself and watch this series!! You won't be disappointed!

The Gilded Age is a phenomenal drama with a wonderful cast. The setting of NYC in the Gilded Age touches on a bygone era that is well portrayed for all social classes during that time. The cast are all superb. The characters are rich and interesting from the upper class to the working class. I love the interactions between sisters, Ada and Agnes. The injection of historical events of the time into the show allows for viewers to see what the world around these characters was like during this time period. The attention to detail in architecture and the clothing is one of the best things about the show. The season 2 season finale was phenomenal and I was smiling the entire time I watched it! Hoping for a season 3!

Comparisons are odious and those comparing this stunning period drama to Downton Abbey have lost the plot.

There is no comparison to be made. One is set in England and the other is set in New York. One is about one family and the other features several households.

The Gilded Age is a snapshot of life in life late 1900s and features issues of class, racism, social climbing, and the petty rivalries of the very well-heeled of the day.

The cast is stellar, headed by Carrie Coon. Christine Baransky and Cynthia Nixon are splendid in the respective roles of Aunt Agnes and Aunt Ada. I was surprised to learn that the youngest daughter of Meryl Streep makes her debut as the glue that holds the show together in a pivotal role as Marian Short. She acquits herself admirably.

The costumes are breathtaking especially those worn by Ms Coon. Those who criticise how clean the streets are need to remember that the exceedingly rich would not live in squalid surrounds.

The second season dealt with strikes, scabs, racial prejudice, marriage, death, and the ever-present, snobbery and one-upmanship that the genteel classes had time to indulge in.

There is no comparing the two shows. Both are excellent and stand alone. Bravo, Mr. Fellowes for bringing them to life. I loved both seasons and can't wait for season 3.

I found the first episode of The Gilded Age very crisp and fresh. I admit that I have not been a big fan of Cynthia Nixon in the past, but her performance in this series is exquisite and truly shows an acting ability that I haven't seen in her previous roles.

The casting is very good and with so many likeable characters, this show is sure to delight those of you who enjoy period dramas.

I love Downton Abbey so much that during shut down I binged it for a second and third time. I'm also a huge fan of Christine Baranski, so I was really looking forward to this new series. I haven't been happy with it and after the second episode I realized why. There are few endearing characters like there are in Downton Abbey, and Christine Baranski plays a relentlessly cruel, obnoxious snob, displaying almost none of the delicious wit that she usually shows. The other characters are poorly fleshed out so far. All this is the fault of the writer; I don't know what he was thinking beyond laurel-resting. I'm going to give it a few more chances, but if something doesn't improve it will never make it to season two, at least for me.

I am enjoying The Gilded Age and will continue to view weekly. We are still in the process of being introduced getting to know the characters. Julian Fellow's knows how to weave a tale so I suspect the story will get more complex as the series unfolds.

On the surface this show has everything one would expect from the creator of Downton Abbey- luscious settings and costumes, great period detail, an awareness of social issues- but it lacks a key element. The writing is sub par. The dialog is overly expository as if it has to explain every detail verbally instead of letting the characters develop naturally. The actors, even the ones who are usually quite good (and trying their best here- Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski) cannot get past the blank declarations of their characters status and motivations. There's no subtlety here. The only character who is allowed to have any realistic expression is Peggy Scott. The others are mostly cardboard cutouts of real people particularly the social climbing Russells.

Downton Abbey had talented actors and well-crafted scripts. The Gilded Age has neither of those. I kept waiting for it to hit its groove, but that hasn't happened yet. The characters are just not interesting, the actors have no emotion or attachment to the story line. The dialogue is stilled and sometimes moronic. It does have great sets and special effects, but not nearly good enough to offset the horror show that is the script.

This show depicts a lifestyle from a world away. The sets and the costumes are incredible. The storyline appears to be going in several interesting directions. Watch the show and see for yourself. Disregard the ignorant views of those who admit that they haven't watched it and won't!

The sets and the clothes are tremendous. The style of the show is very Julian Fellowes; they are trying to hit all the familiar notes. It isn't fair to judge any show in this era after just one episode, especially one with so many characters and potential moving parts but I would say it is off to a great start. The first episode was a bit stiff as it was full of introductions and context setting. Downtown Abbey also took time to get beyond being a stock British costume drama.

People who loved Downton and are complaining about stiff acting and dialogue might reflect on the fact that many of those characters we grew to love were pretty wooden in the beginning. Bates, Branson, Edith, Carson... we're pretty lame and took time to develop. Give it time.

And I love the reviews complaining that they don't like these elitist rich people with snotty accents. Here's a tip: it's called The Gilded Age....