The Gilded Age season 2: how to watch, recaps, cast and everything we know about the period drama

After about a year-and-a-half since The Gilded Age season 1 finale, The Gilded Age season 2 is finally set to arrive, joining the fall TV 2023 schedule. The period drama hails from the master of period dramas, Julian Fellowes, who created Downton Abbey.

The Gilded Age was generally well received in its initial season, earning a "Fresh" score (79%) on Rotten Tomatoes and winning an Emmy for the show's production design in recreating late 19th century New York City. The combo of Christine Baranski and Carrie Coon as two of the stars also caught people's attention.

So what's in store with The Gilded Age season 2? Read on for everything that you need to know about the new season.

How to watch The Gilded Age

The Gilded Age season 2 finale airs in the UK on Sky Atlantic on Monday, December 18. After that, the entire second season is going to be available on-demand for viewers on both sides of the pond.

US viewers can catch up on all episodes of the period drama's latest season by streaming it on Max. UK viewers, meanwhile, can stream the series on Sky Go or NOW TV.

The Gilded Age season 2 plot

You can catch up with what happened in The Gilded Age season 1 with our slate of recaps from The Gilded Age episode 1 to The Gilded Age season 1 finale. But for those who are up to date with the series, here is what you can expect in season 2:

"The American Gilded Age was a period of immense economic change, of great conflict between the old ways and brand new systems, and of huge fortunes made and lost. Season two of The Gilded Age begins on Easter morning 1883, with the news that Bertha Russell's bid for a box at the Academy of Music has been rejected. Through the eight episodes of the season, we watch as Bertha challenges Mrs. Astor and the old system and works to not only gain a foothold in Society, but to potentially take a leading role in it. George Russell takes on his own battle with a growing union at his steel plant in Pittsburgh. In the Brook House, Marian continues her journey to find her way in the world secretly teaching at a girls school while much to everyone’s surprise Ada begins a new courtship. Of course, Agnes approves of none of it. In Brooklyn, the Scott family begins to heal from a shocking discovery, and Peggy taps into her activist spirit through her work with T. Thomas Fortune at the NY Globe."

The Gilded Age season 2 recaps

Here are the synopses for The Gilded Age season 2 episodes released thus far, and WTW's recaps for each episode:

The Gilded Age season 2 episode 1, "You Don't Even Like Opera"
"Agnes shares news of her nephew Dashiell's arrival in New York. Bertha backs the new Metropolitan Opera House." Read WTW's The Gilded Age season 2 episode 1 recap.

The Gilded Age season 2 episode 2, "Some Sort of Tick"
"Oscar's verdict; Clay meets Mr. Henderson. Agnes scolds Ada. Mrs. Fane arranges a match for Marian. Larry's new commission, and Peggy's return is bittersweet." Read WTW's The Gilded Age season 2 episode 2 recap.

The Gilded Age season 2 episode 3, "Head to Head"
"Opera war escalates. Surprise guest at Bertha's fundraiser. Agnes supports Academy preservation. Peggy offers to cover Tuskegee story. Ada hosts luncheon for Mr. Forte. George woos Henderson. Watson mulls offer." Read WTW's The Gilded Age season 2 episode 3 recap.

The Gilded Age season 2 episode 4, "His Grace the Duke"
"Bertha angles for position with a visiting Duke. With Marian's help, Ada continues to see Mr. Forte. Peggy travels to Alabama." Read WTW's The Gilded Age season 2 episode 4 recap.

The Gilded Age season 2 episode 5, "Close Enough to Touch"
"After sharing her news, Ada questions moving ahead without Agnes' support. Peggy experiences the dangers of the South." Read WTW's The Gilded Age season 2 episode 5 recap.

The Gilded Age season 2 episode 6, "Warning Shots"
"As George heads to Pittsburgh to deal with the potential strike, Bertha gets word that the Duke will return for opening night at the Met." Read WTW's The Gilded Age season 2 episode 6 recap.

The Gilded Age season 2 episode 7, "Wonders Never Cease"
"New York celebrates a historic event and Bertha reconsiders her loyalty, While Marian is doubting about her future." Read WTW's The Gilded Age season 2 episode 7 recap.

The Gilded Age season 2 episode 8, "In Terms of Winning and Losing"
"The van Rhijn staff question their employment. Jack's patent is approved. Peggy wins for local schools, ponders leaving NY Globe. Marian reveals feelings to Dashiell. Bertha and Mrs. Astor make final opera war maneuvers." Read WTW's The Gilded Age season 2 episode 8 recap.

The Gilded Age season 2 cast

There's quite the ensemble for The Gilded Age, led by the likes of Carrie Coon (Boston Strangler, Gone Girl) as Bertha Russell, Cynthia Nixon (And Just Like That, Ratched) as Ada Brook, Christine Baranski (The Good Fight, Mamma Mia!) as Agnes Van Rhijn, Audra McDonald (The Good Fight, Respect) as Dorothy Scott, Nathan Lane (Beau Is Afraid, Only Murders in the Building) as Ward McAllister and Louisa Jacobson, Meryl Streep's daughter in her first big role, as Marian Brook, to name a few.

Here is the complete returning cast for The Gilded Age season 2:

• Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell

• Christine Baranski as Agnes Van Rhijn

• Cynthia Nixon as Ada Brook

• Morgan Spector (Boston Strangler) as Geroge Russell

• Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook

• Denée Benton (UnReal) as Peggy Scott

• Ben Ahlers (When the Streetlights Go On) as Jack Treacher

• Michael Cerveris (Billions) as Watson

• Kelley Curran (The Blacklist) as Turner

• Taissa Farmiga (The Nun 2) as Gladys Russell

• Jack Gilpin (Billions) as Church

• Simon Jones (Downton Abbey) as Bannister

• Sullivan Jones (Harlem) as T. Thomas Fortune

• Celia Keenan-Bolger (The Accidental Wolf) as Mrs. Bruce

• Debra Monk (New Amsterdam) as Armstrong

• Donna Murphy (Gossip Girl) as Mrs. Astor

• Kristine Nielsen (The Good Fight) as Mrs. Bauer

• Kelli O'Hara (The Accidental Wolf) as Aurora Fane

• Patrick Page (Spirited) as Richard Clay

• Harry Richardson (Poldark) as Larry Russell

• Taylor Richardson (The Time Traveler's Wife) as Bridget

• Blake Ritson (The Crown) as Oscar Van Rhijn

• Douglas Sills (Christmas on the Square) as Baudin

• Erin Wilhelmi (The Accidental Wolf) as Adelheid Weber

• Nathan Lane as Ward McAllister

• Audra McDonald as Dorothy Scott

• John Douglas Thompson (Till) as Arthur Scott

• Ashlie Atkinson (And Just Like That) as Mamie Fish

• Ward Horton (Tom Swift) as Charles Fane

There are also a number of new cast members to show, including Laura Benanti (No Hard Feelings), Robert Sean Leonard (House), Nicole Brydon Bloom (The Affair), Christopher Denham (Oppenheimer), David Furr (Bull) and Matilda Lawler (Station Eleven). None of their roles have been specified as of yet.

The Gilded Age season 2 trailer

The official trailer for The Gilded Age season 2 is here to get you all ready for all of the juicy society drama. Watch the trailer right here, as well as the previously released teaser trailer:

Is there going to be The Gilded Age season 3?

At this time, HBO has not officially renewed The Gilded Age for season 3. We'll update this post if/when a decision on the future of the show is made.