THE GILDED AGE BRAVE NEW WORLD!

THERE ARE SHOCKS AND SCANDALS IN STORE FOR NEW YORK'S HIGH SOCIETY AS THE PERIOD DRAMA RETURNS

- Gavin Scott

Created by Downton Abbey mastermind Julian Fellowes, The Gilded Age explores the rich social history of another period of great change: the 1880s. In New York, the well-established social elite found their inner circle infiltrated by new money – and they were none too pleased.

Railway magnate George Russell (Morgan Spector) and his socially ambitious wife, Bertha (Carrie Coon), have more cash than they know what to do with, but that’s not enough for their neighbour Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) and others like her, who look down their well-bred noses at the interlopers.

While Bertha made some ground in her efforts to break into high society in Season 1, she is far from embraced by the old guard – and will continue her quest for further acceptance this season. Elsewhere, the winds of change will sweep other characters forward as what was previously inconceivable becomes possible.

BERTHA SETS HER SIGHTS EVEN HIGHER

The grand ball she threw last season was a success, but Bertha is certainly not one to rest on her laurels.

“At the top of Season 2, we find out that Bertha is now being invited to all the best parties,” Coon reveals. “She has acquired a new home in Newport, but the one thing that’s still lacking for her is a seat at the Academy, which is the opera. She knows that if she doesn’t have a box at the Academy, she’s not really part of the elite.”