The Gilded Age season 2 spoilers follow. With its star-studded cast and the overflowing pot of drama continuously stirred up by old and new foes, the Carrie Coon-led period drama The Gilded Age will surely be back for a season three.
At least that's what we hope – if not for more of the shrewd, yet politely cunning way Coon's Bertha manipulates high society, then absolutely for another dose of Christine Baranski's 'tact'.
The old-money-versus-new chess play never gets old, but will the Julian Fellowes drama be back?
Here's everything we know about The Gilded Age's chances of returning for season three.
The Gilded Age season 3 potential release date: When's it on?
There's yet to be an official announcement regarding The Gilded Age's season-three future, but that doesn't mean it won't have one. The creative team already have their eyes trained on the next chapter of the show.
Writer Sonja Warfield told Town & Country: "There is so much in history [that would work for the show].
"We discovered gems for season two that play into our characters' journeys, and there are so many more things we could play out if we're lucky enough to get a third season."
She added: "In season one, we had Thomas Edison's lights, in season two we have the Tuskegee Institute, and we'll discover what that is in season three."
Season one of the show aired in late January 2022, whereas fans were treated to a second instalment over a year later in October 2023.
If the show returns and follows the same production-schedule trajectory, fans could be in for quite a wait: summer 2025 to be more precise.
However, the creative team may wish to stick to the same autumn/winter launch period, which could mean the next season arriving in late 2024. We'll keep you updated as soon as we know more.
harry richardson, carrie coon, morgan spector, the gilded age, season 2
The Gilded Age season 3 cast: Who will be coming back?
The Gilded Age wouldn't be the same without Carrie Coon's Bertha and the rest of the Russell clan, which means if season three is officially confirmed, we'll almost certainly see her return along with the following members of her family:
• Morgan Spector as George Russell
• Taissa Farmiga as Miss Gladys Russell
• Harry Richardson as Larry Russell
Bertha's Duke of Buckingham (or should we say Gladys' *wink*) is predicted to return, so we imagine Ben Lamb would reprise the role.
We'll also likely see the return of Bertha's high-society foe and former maid Enid Winterton (neé Turner), played by Kelley Curran and her husband Joshua Winterton (Dakin Matthews).
We also expect the following stars to reprise their roles:
• Denée Benton as Peggy Scott
• Cynthia Nixon as Mrs Ada Brook
• Blake Ritson as Oscar van Rhijn
• Ben Ahlers as Jack Treacher
• Taylor Richardson as Bridget
• Kelli O'Hara as Aurora Fane
We're unlikely to see David Furr or Matilda Lawler reprise the roles of Dashiell and Frances Montgomery respectively, given that Marian called off her engagement with Dashiell.
The Gilded Age season 3 plot: What will happen?
Things will undoubtedly become heated once Gladys discovers that her mother has brokered a marriage deal for her with the Duke – allegedly. Bertha hasn't officially confirmed this, but all signs are pointing that way.
The building friction between mother and daughter could form the basis of the Russells' season-three arc extending into Bertha's control over son Larry's life, too.
It's no secret that Bertha has a lot of sway in how they live their lives, who they date and what social activities and jobs they partake in. But the Duke may turn out to be the straw that broke the camel's back.
The Van Rhijns are also in for a bit of a shake-up now that Ada is in control of the family finances, albeit under her married name of Forte.
The proud Agnes will definitely struggle in the submissive role, and having to answer to Ada is likely to cause more resentment towards her son Oscar, who lost their own fortune.
blake ritson, christine baranski, the gilded age, season 2
We can envisage a world where Oscar employs desperate measures to recoup or rebuild the Van Rhijn estate.
Speaking of desperate, we're desperately hoping the show stops fumbling the ball with Peggy's narrative.
The trauma in season one of thinking her son was dead, then later on finding out that he was alive only to very quickly discover he had died more recently at the start of season two was painfully frustrating to watch, and honestly just needless.
As if that weren't bad enough she was thrown into a futureless near-romance with a married man, which resulted in her quitting her job in the end. It's enough – justice for Peggy. Season three, please do better.
denée benton , the gilded age, season 2
Following her break-up with Dashiell, Marian and Larry Russell finally kissed. But how far will this romance go when their respective families have been at odds since the very beginning?
Circling back round to the Russells again, their former lady's maid turned aristocrat, Enid Winterton, will no doubt still be livid about the Russells tricking her out of the centre box at the Metropolitan opera house.
Imagine her ire when it's confirmed that Mrs Russell was the one who'd informed Mrs Astor of her humble beginnings, thus losing her a box at the Academy of Music.
Mrs Winterton has been on the back foot compared to Mrs Russell for two seasons now. At some point, the tables are bound to turn and season three is ripe for this. With Mrs Russell now at the top, she has everything to lose. What better time to strike?
david furr, louisa jacobson, the gilded age, season 2
As for whether season three would cover the fight for the right to vote, which would diversify the cast, executive producer and writer Sonja Warfield has said probably not yet.
"The thing about women's suffrage was, at some of the protests or whatever, Black women weren't not allowed," Warfield told TV Insider. "In terms of the timeline, I don't think we're quite there yet. Our historians will let us know. I work really closely with Dr Erica Dunbar, and so she always informs me.
"Usually Julian [Fellowes, fellow executive producer and writer] and I have discussions about what we would like to do with the characters, and we talk to Erica, and then she will give us some of that background and history. And if it works out, it works out.
"So we shall see. Those are things that we hopefully will get to explore."
The Gilded Age season 3 trailer: When can I watch it?
Sadly not any time soon, but we'll keep you in the loop as soon as first-look photos and early trailers arrive.
The Gilded Age season 1 and 2 are available to stream now on NOW and Sky Atlantic in the UK and Max in the US.
