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The Gilded Age Cast: 10 Major Stars Returning For Season 3 & The New Broadway Legends Joining The Drama

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The Gilded Age continues to be a television phenomenon, captivating audiences with its lavish costumes, high-stakes social warfare, and a cast stacked with more Tony Award winners than a typical Broadway season. As of December 2025, the buzz is all about the confirmed cast and intriguing new additions for Season 3, which promises to escalate the battle between old money and new money in 1880s New York. This article provides the definitive, most up-to-date guide to the core ensemble and the major new players who will be stirring up the drama in the upcoming season.

The series, created by *Downton Abbey* mastermind Julian Fellowes, is renowned for its theatrical pedigree, drawing heavily from the New York stage community. From the relentless ambition of Bertha Russell to the stiff-backed propriety of Agnes van Rhijn, the central conflict is brought to life by an ensemble of television and theatre royalty. Get ready for a fresh wave of drama as the Russell family's quest for social dominance faces new, formidable challengers.

The Core Cast: Biographies and Notable Roles (Seasons 1–3)

The foundation of *The Gilded Age* is its powerhouse regular cast, many of whom are celebrated for their extensive careers on both screen and stage. Here is a look at the major players and their incredible professional backgrounds:

  • Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell (The New Money Matriarch)

    • Biography: Born in 1981, Carrie Coon is an American actress with a formidable presence in prestige television. She received a Tony Award nomination for her Broadway debut in *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?* and is critically acclaimed for her television work.

    Notable Roles: Nora Durst in the HBO series *The Leftovers* and Gloria Burgle in the third season of FX's *Fargo*, for which she earned an Emmy nomination.

  • Morgan Spector as George Russell (The Railroad Tycoon)

    • Biography: Morgan Spector is an American actor known for his intense, measured performances. He trained at the American Conservatory Theatre and has a strong background in theatre.

    Notable Roles: His earlier television work includes a role in *Homeland*, and he made his Broadway debut in the 2010 revival of Arthur Miller's *A View From the Bridge* alongside Liev Schreiber and Scarlett Johansson.

  • Christine Baranski as Agnes van Rhijn (The Old Money Aristocrat)

    • Biography: A two-time Tony Award winner and multiple Emmy Award winner, Christine Baranski is one of the most decorated actors in the cast.

    Notable Roles: Maryann Thorpe in the sitcom *Cybill* (for which she won an Emmy), Diane Lockhart in *The Good Wife* and its spin-off *The Good Fight*, and Tanya Chesham-Leigh in the *Mamma Mia!* film franchise.

  • Cynthia Nixon as Ada Brook/Forte (The Kind-Hearted Sister)

    • Biography: Cynthia Nixon is a highly acclaimed actress and activist, winning both Emmy and Tony Awards.

    Notable Roles: She is globally recognized for her iconic role as Miranda Hobbes in the TV and film series *Sex and the City* and its sequel, *And Just Like That…*. She has been a critically acclaimed actress since the age of twelve.

  • Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook (The Ingenue)

    • Biography: A graduate of the Yale School of Drama with an MFA in acting, Louisa Jacobson is the youngest daughter of acting legend Meryl Streep.

    Notable Roles: *The Gilded Age* marks her first major television role, following her professional acting debut in the Yale Repertory Theatre's production of *Native Son* in 2017.

  • Denée Benton as Peggy Scott (The Aspiring Writer)

    • Biography: Denée Benton is a Tony Award-nominated actress, bringing a powerful stage presence to her role as the ambitious and talented Peggy Scott.

    Notable Roles: She is best known for her Tony-nominated performance as Natasha Rostova in the Broadway musical *Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812* and her role in the Lifetime series *UnReal*.

Major New and Returning Guest Stars for Season 3

The upcoming season of *The Gilded Age* is set to introduce a host of new, high-profile characters, many of whom are, predictably, celebrated veterans of the stage. The new ensemble promises to deepen the show's exploration of New York's elite, as well as the emerging Black bourgeois community. These additions make the Season 3 cast arguably the most exciting yet.

Phylicia Rashad and the New Power Players

The most anticipated new cast member is the legendary Phylicia Rashad, who joins the cast as a recurring guest star.

  • Phylicia Rashad as Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkland: Rashad will portray a woman from a prominent, old-money family in Newport, Rhode Island, with lineage tracing back to the American Revolution. Her character is described as the tough-to-please mother of Dr. William Kirkland (Jordan Donica), a figure who will be central to Peggy Scott’s storyline, suggesting a deeper focus on the Black elite in the Gilded Age.
  • Bill Camp as J.P. Morgan: The two-time Tony nominee and Oscar-nominated actor will play the real-life titan of industry, J.P. Morgan, who was one of the most powerful and feared financiers of the era. His character is expected to interact directly with George Russell.
  • Merritt Wever as Bertha’s Estranged Sister: Emmy and Golden Globe winner Merritt Wever joins the cast as Bertha Russell's long-lost or estranged sister, a character who is sure to complicate Bertha’s carefully constructed social life and quest for acceptance.
  • Leslie Uggams as Ernestine Brown: Tony and Emmy winner Leslie Uggams will play Ernestine Brown, further expanding the show's depiction of the Black bourgeois community in New York.

The Unmatched Broadway Connection: Why The Gilded Age Cast Shines

One of the defining characteristics of *The Gilded Age* is its commitment to casting actors with deep roots in the New York theatre scene. This strategic choice by Julian Fellowes and HBO gives the show a unique theatrical flair and a level of polish that is rarely seen on television. The sheer number of Tony Award winners and nominees in the ensemble is staggering, lending an authentic gravitas to the period drama.

The show’s ensemble is a veritable who’s who of Broadway legends, and Season 3 only amplifies this connection. The list of recurring and guest stars who have graced the New York stage is extensive, and their ability to project emotion and command a scene is what makes the show’s social battles so compelling.

More Broadway Royalty Joining Season 3

Beyond the headliners, a wave of other highly respected stage actors are confirmed for Season 3, reinforcing the show's identity as a 'theatre company' on television:

  • Andrea Martin: A two-time Tony Award winner, Martin is a celebrated comedian and actress whose presence will undoubtedly bring a sharp wit to the season.
  • Brian Stokes Mitchell: A Tony Award-winning baritone and leading man of the American musical theatre, his addition is a major coup for the cast.
  • Victoria Clark: A Tony Award winner and one of Broadway's most respected performers, she is another significant addition to the already star-studded lineup.
  • Other Notables: Dylan Baker, Kate Baldwin, Michael Cumpsty, John Ellison Conlee, and Bobby Steggert are all renowned stage actors also joining the Season 3 cast.

Returning Broadway veterans from previous seasons include Audra McDonald (Dorothy Scott), Nathan Lane (Ward McAllister), Kelli O'Hara, and Donna Murphy, ensuring that the theatrical pedigree remains unmatched.

The Future of The Gilded Age: Season 4 and Beyond

The sheer popularity and critical success of *The Gilded Age* suggest a long future for the series. The intricate storylines and the unresolved social dynamics—such as the ongoing battle for social acceptance by Bertha Russell and the development of Peggy Scott’s career—provide ample material for future seasons.

In a strong signal of the show's longevity, there is already news regarding the production schedule for a potential Season 4. Reports indicate that the cast and crew of the acclaimed HBO series are expected to return to Troy, New York, to film portions of the fourth season in 2026. This early planning suggests that the core cast, including Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Christine Baranski, and Cynthia Nixon, are expected to remain intact, continuing their roles as the titans of the New York social scene well into the future.

The series continues to excel by offering a fascinating look at a pivotal moment in American history, using the powerful dynamic between the old and new money elite to drive its narrative. With the introduction of real-life figures like J.P. Morgan and the expansion of the Black bourgeois storyline, Season 3 is poised to be the most historically rich and dramatically compelling season yet. The incredible talent of the *Gilded Age* cast, especially its deep bench of Broadway stars, ensures that every scene is delivered with the highest level of dramatic excellence, making it a must-watch for period drama enthusiasts.

The Gilded Age Cast: 10 Major Stars Returning for Season 3 & The New Broadway Legends Joining the Drama
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