The cast in The Gilded Age is filled with entertainment industry veterans and newcomers to the screen alike. Ten years after Julian Fellowes was tapped to write the show set in 1880s New York City, the project has finally come to fruition. After years of speculation, Fellowes' next period drama, The Gilded Age, debuts on January 24, 2022.
The Gilded Age is set in the same world as Downton Abbey, but several decades before and in the United States, and while the show originally was going to be about the courtship of Lord and Lady Grantham, while also featuring the Dowager Countess, the character list appears to feature mostly unfamiliar names. Instead of Downton Abbey’s dual stories of upstairs and downstairs life, The Gilded Age centers around the idea of old money versus new money. Set in a time of unprecedented growth in the United States, everyone is trying to prove their worth.
The cast consists of actors that have found success in a variety of entertainment venues. Many of the actors are Tony Award winners, while others have cemented themselves on the silver screen and the small screen. Still, some are newcomers looking forward to making their big debut in one of the most highly anticipated television series of the year.
Christine Baranski as Agnes van Rhijn
Coming from old money, Agnes is the widowed matriarch of the van Rhijn family. With Dutch-American roots, she is a proud and stubborn socialite in New York City who refuses to let go of the past. Christine Baranski can be seen most recently as Diane Lockhart on the television drama series, The Good Wife and its current spin-off, The Good Fight.
Cynthia Nixon as Ada Brook
Ada Brook relies on her wealthy sister Agnes van Rhijn for charity. She is not particularly confrontational, but won’t hesitate when standing up for what she believes in. Cynthia Nixon is probably most well-known for her work on Sex and the City and more recently on the reboot of the show, And Just Like That….
Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell
Representing the middle-class, Bertha married George Russell and is determined to break into high society using her wealth and position to her advantage. Carrie Coon is an actor most known for her roles as Nora Durst on the HBO drama series The Leftovers and as Gloria Burgle in the third season of Fargo.
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Morgan Spector as George Russell
George plays to win. As a railroad tycoon he is a determined businessman, but he is also a loving husband to Bertha Russell and father to Gladys Russell. Morgan Spector has acted on the stage and on film, most recently partaking in the HBO miniseries, The Plot Against America.
Denée Benton as Peggy Scott
After attending the prestigious Institute for Colored Youth in Philadelphia, Peggy Scott, a successful African-American writer, comes to live with her friend Ada Brook and her family. Peggy has a secret that when revealed, will likely cause some challenges for her to overcome. Denée Benton is best known for taking over the role of Eliza Hamilton in the Broadway production of Hamilton starting in 2018.
Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook
Marian Brook is the main heroine of the show. Her father left her with no money and while she may know the only way she’ll have financial security is to marry well, she wants more than that out of life. She lives with her aunts, Agnes van Rhijn and Ada Brook, in New York City. Louisa Jacobson is a model and has been featured in Vanity Fair and Glamour magazines. Jacobson made her film debut in Gone Hollywood.
Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell
Gladys Russell doesn’t care how her father, George Russell, made his money. She is much more interested in going out into the world and meeting potential suitors. Taissa Farmiga is particularly known for her work on the anthology series, American Horror Story.
Blake Ritson as Oscar Van Rhijn
Oscar van Rhijn might not be afraid to stand up to his mother, Agnes van Rhijn, but he does share her love of money. Oscar plans to marry a wealthy heiress. Blake Ritson is an actor and director perhaps best known for his role in World Without End as King Edward III. He writes and directs alongside his brother, Dylan, and their works have brought in several awards from film festivals around the world.
Simon Jones as Bannister
The van Rhijn’s butler, Bannister is an English immigrant who takes his job very seriously. Simon Jones is an English actor who has a connection to Fellowes’ precious period drama: he played King George V in the Downton Abbey movie.
Harry Richardson as Larry Russell
As a recent Harvard University graduate, Larry is ready to make his mark on the world. Harry Richardson is perhaps most well known for his portrayal of Drake Carne in Poldark and Frank Gresham in Doctor Thorne.
Thomas Cocquerel as Tom Raikes
Tom Raikes is a lawyer from Doylestown, PA. He is quite taken with Marian Brook and relocates himself to New York City hoping to pursue a relationship with the young woman. Thomas Cocqueral was most recently seen in Escape Room: Tournament of Champions as Nathan.
Jack Gilpin as Church
The Russell family’s butler and unwaveringly loyal to Bertha, Church works hard in order to avoid his past. Jack Gilpin is currently on Showtime’s drama series Billions as the character Sean Ayles.
The Gilded Age Supporting Cast & Characters
Jeanne Tripplehorn as Sylvia Chamberlain: Sylvia Chamberlain is a patron of the arts, but her mysterious past excludes her from high society. Jeanne Tripplehorn got her acting start on the stage and was most recently seen in Mrs. America as Eleanor Schlafly.
Audra McDonald as Dorothy Scott: Dorothy Scott is Peggy’s mother and she wants nothing more than to reunite with her only child. Audra McDonald is most well known for her work in numerous Broadway shows, including Carousel, Master Class, and Ragtime — for all of which she won Tony Awards.
Kelli O’Hara as Aurora Fane: As the niece of Agnes van Rhijn by marriage, Aurora Fane understands what games she must play to maintain her position in the upper-class. Kelli O’Hara is most well-known for her work on Broadway, with her most recent project being the revival of Kiss Me, Kate in 2019.
Donna Murphy as Mrs. Astor: Mrs. Astor is a socialite and gatekeeper of New York society. Donna Murphy is perhaps best known for her work on the stage, having won Tony Awards for her work in Passion and The King and I.
Michael Cerveris as Watson: Watson is George Russell’s valet with a mysterious past. Michael Cerveris is primarily known for his work on the stage, having performed in several Stephen Sondheim musicals, including Assassins, Sweeney Todd, and Passion.
Debra Monk as Armstrong: Agnes van Rhijn’s maid, Armstrong likes to be in on all the latest gossip, though her own private life has its troubles. Debra Monk is best known for her work on Broadway, having won her first Tony Award for her role in Redwood Curtain.
Katie Finneran as Anne Morris: Wife to Patrick Morris, the city alderman, she is determined to keep new money out of her wealthy inner-circle. Katie Finneran is known for her work on Broadway and won a Tony Award for her work on Noises Off and Promises, Promises and also played Belle Rayburn in Bloodline.
Celia Keenan-Bolger as Mrs. Bruce: Mrs. Bruce is the Russells’ new housekeeper who must prove that she has what it takes to plan social events for New York’s elite. Celia Keenan-Bolger is best known for her portrayal of Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, for which she won a Tony Award.
Kristine Nielsen as Mrs. Bauer: Mrs. Bauer is a German immigrant and Agnes van Rhijn’s cook with strong maternal instincts. Kristine Nielsen is known for her work on Broadway and Off-Broadway, having won Tony Awards for her performances in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike and Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus.
John Douglas Thompson as Arthur Scott: As a former slave, Arthur Scott made his way to New York City and studied to become a pharmacist, but he often finds himself at odds with his daughter, Peggy. John Douglas Thompson is best known for his work on the stage, most recently having worked on King Lear.
Bill Irwin as Cornelius Eckhard: Cornelius Eckhard goes way back with Ada Brook, so when he enters her life again after the Civil War pulled them apart, the two begin to rekindle their relationship. Bill Irwin has found success in films, TV shows, and on the stage, winning a Tony Award for his role in Who’s Afraid of Virgina Woolf?
Patrick Page as Richard Clay: Richard Clay is George Russell’s secretary, helping the tycoon to run his giant railroad business. Patrick Page is an actor and playwright, originating the roles of Norman Osborn/Green Goblin in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark and The Grinch in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical.
Douglas Sills as Baudin: Baudin is the French chef who works for the Russell family. Douglas Sills has worked on the stage for many years and has toured with Into the Woods and The Secret Garden.
Amy Forsyth as Caroline “Carrie” Astor: Carrie Astor just wants to live her life as a popular young woman in New York City, but her mother often makes this difficult for her. Amy Forsyth has appeared as a series regular on Hulu’s The Path.
Taylor Richardson as Bridget: Coming from a challenging past, Bridget is an Irish immigrant working in the Brook house as a housemaid, kitchen maid, and lady’s maid. Taylor Richardson is best known for her work in The Time Traveler's Wife and All Together Now.
Kelley Curran as Turner: Turner is Bertha Russell’s lady’s maid who doesn’t plan to stick around in her position for long. Kelley Curran is an actress known for her roles in The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot.
Ben Ahlers as Jack Treacher: Jack Treacher works in the Brook house as a footman, hall boy, and takes care of any other job without complaint. Ben Ahlers is known for his roles on Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, The Village, and Walk Off.
Nathan Lane as Ward McAllister: Ward McAllister helps Mrs. Astor with the gatekeeping into high-society and takes great pleasure in doing so. Nathan Lane has won numerous awards for his work in the entertainment industry and some of his most notable performances include his work on The Producers, The Birdcage, and Mouse Hunt.
Sullivan Jones as T. Thomas Fortune: The real-life T. Thomas Fortune was born into slavery, but eventually obtained an education at Howard University, and became a journalist for The New York Globe. Sullivan Jones recently played Jameson Royce on the television series Harlem.
Linda Emond as Clara Barton: Clara Barton, the real-life nurse who founded the American Red Cross and during the Civil War became known as the “Florence Nightingale of America.” Linda Emond has had roles on the stage, in film, and on television, and some of her most notable performances include her work on Death of a Salesman and Cabaret.
Michel Gill as Patrick Morris: Patrick Morris is the husband of Anne Morris and is a banker and Alderman who enjoys life in the upper class. Michael Gill is best known for his role as President Garrett Walker on Netflix’s House of Cards.
Ward Horton as Charles Fane: Charles Fane is the husband of Aurora Fane and like Patrick Morris, belongs to the upper class, working as a banker and Alderman. Ward Horton is an actor and stunt person and his most notable role is that of John Form in Annabelle.
The Gilded Age releases new episodes Mondays on HBO.