Season three of The Gilded Age just wrapped up on HBO, and it was a jam-packed episode!
The network thankfully already renewed the series for a fourth season. At Just Jared, we’re huge fans of the show, and we’re revealing our best guesses at the season four cast list, including who is definitely exiting the show.
Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell – Expected to Return
There’s no Gilded Age without Carrie Coon‘s Bertha Russell.
We’re definitely expecting to see Carrie back as Bertha in season four. Unfortunately, it looks like there’s some issues in the Russell household with Bertha and George. Is divorce in Bertha and George’s future?
Morgan Spector as George Russell – Expected to Return
Morgan Spector‘s George Russell was shot in the penultimate episode of season three. Fans were extremely concerned about if the character would live or die.
Morgan himself told Variety about George’s fate, “You should be very worried. In the 19th century, gunshot wounds from up close were extremely dangerous. Many people didn’t survive them. I don’t have a contract for next season yet, so who knows?”
However, with his recovery, it looks like he should be returning for the new season! However, he ended season three leaving his relationship with his wife Bertha quite up-in-the-air.
Christine Baranski as Agnes Van Rhijn – Expected to Return
Christine Baranski should be back as Agnes Van Rhijn in season four, especially with her newfound work with the Heritage Foundation!
About her character’s development over the years, she told NBC, “Over the course of three years you’ve seen her love for her sister and her loyalty. You’ve seen her devastated when she lost her money…her pain to learn her son was in love with a man.”
Cynthia Nixon as Ada Brook – Expected to Return
Cynthia Nixon should be back as Ada Brook (aka Ada Forte). Season three brought so much up and down for Ada as she navigated life as a widow and the leader of the household.
“In many ways, Ada is still a child,” Cynthia told EW of her character. “She’s a woman-child that’s never been responsible for herself. Agnes has born the brunt of the harshness of the world, and Ada has been protected. Her muscles for making decisions or leading people or being authoritative [are under-developed]. Ada has done her best to be compliant, sweet, and loving. She has survived by making herself amenable. Now, all of a sudden being in charge and having all this power, she is thrilled.”
Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook – Expected to Return
Louisa Jacobson should be back as Miss Brook. Marian had quite the up-and-down season.
Fans were thrilled to see her become engaged to Larry Russell after courting for quite a while.
However, Marian suddenly ended their engagement after a tumultuous revelation about Larry’s whereabouts caused her to no longer trust him. They ended the season in a better place, so fans are hoping a wedding will happen!
Harry Richardson as Larry Russell – Expected to Return
Harry Richardson’s Larry Russell is expected to return for season four, where his relationship with Miss Marian Brook should be a focal point.
Fans have been embroiled in a “will they/won’t they” after Marian ended their romance abruptly while he was out west.
Now, fans are hoping they’ll wed in season four.
Taissa Farmiga as Miss Gladys Russell – Expected to Return
Taissa Farmiga‘s Miss Gladys Russell became the Duchess of Buckingham during season three. She had some major moments throughout season three, including getting married basically against her will, learning how to one-up the Duke’s sister Sarah, and finally, seeing sparks with the Duke.
With her pregnancy, it looks like there may even be a new addition to the Russell family!
Ben Lamb as Hector, Duke of Buckingham – Expected to Return
Ben Lamb made his debut as the Duke of Buckingham in season two, and got married to Gladys in season three.
We’re expecting to see more from both characters in season four!
Denée Benton as Peggy Scott – Expected to Return
Denée Benton will certainly be back as Peggy Scott in season 4.
In season three, she met Dr. Kirkland and struck up an amazing rapport. However, his mother’s reveal about her life prior to moving to NYC impacted their romance.
And at the end of season three…she seemingly gets engaged to Dr. Kirkland!
Jordan Donica as Dr. William Kirkland – Expected to Return!
Tony nominee Jordan Donica joined season three as Dr. William Kirland, described as “a kind, handsome, doctor from the prominent Kirkland family who isn’t as narrow minded as the older members of his elite social circle. He was inspired to help others by becoming a doctor after visiting Arthur Scott’s (John Douglas Thompson) pharmacy as a boy.”
With everything going on between him and Peggy, we expect him to be back in season four, and hope to see their wedding!
Blake Ritson as Oscar van Rhijn – Expected to Return
Blake Ritson‘s Oscar van Rhijn had an emotional third season.
After ending season two losing all of his family’s fortune, he kicked off the season at a low point.
Things got even lower when John Adams died, and he could not properly mourn his love.
The season ended with him reuniting with Mrs. Winterton.
Kelley Curran as Mrs. Winterton – Seemingly Could Return!
Kelley Curran‘s Mrs. Winterton is one of the antagonists to Mrs. Russell, but scoring an invite to the end of season Newport ball seems like a great step towards having her back in a more regular fashion!
After Oscar’s invitation to be a married couple, it would seem to suggest she could return!
Stay tuned as we learn more.
Ben Ahlers as Jack Treacher – Expected to Return
Ben Ahlers ended season three becoming a VERY rich man by selling his clock patent.
He eventually was asked to leave the Forte household as a footman.
Many believed this might be a sign that he’s exiting the show! However, he did tell Town & Country, “I’m anxiously awaiting what happens to him,” leading fans to believe there’s more story to tell.
Kelli O’Hara as Aurora Fane – Seemingly Should Return
Kelli O’Hara‘s Aurora Fane serves as one of the high society members in The Gilded Age. She had a tumultuous season after living in Newport following her sudden divorce.
Bertha Russell made sure to include her in society by inviting her to the ball.
We anticipate she’ll be returning for season four, barring any major changes!
Donna Murphy as Mrs. Astor – Seemingly Should Return
Donna Murphy‘s Mrs. Astor is a high society member who is often going back-and-forth with Mrs. Russell. We expect to see her return, barring any major changes!
Douglas Sills as Monsieur Baudin – Seemingly Should Return
Douglas Sills‘ Monsieur Baudin is an integral part of the “downstairs” storyline in the Russell house.
We hope to continue seeing him.
Celia Keenan-Bolger as Mrs. Bruce – Seemingly Should Return
Celia Keenan Bolger‘s Mrs. Bruce is an integral part of the “downstairs” storyline in the Russell house.
We hope to continue seeing her.
Simon Jones as Mr. Bannister – Seemingly Should Return
Mr. Bannister’s job was saved by Mrs. Forte at the end of season two, and he continued playing an integral role in the third season.
We expect he’d be back for season four, barring any major changes.
Jack Gilpin as Church – Seemingly Should Return
Church, the butler for the Russell household, should be back for the fourth season, barring any major changes.
Kristine Nielsen as Mrs. Bauer & Taylor Richardson as Bridget – Seemingly Should Return
We expect to see Kristine Nielsen and Taylor Richardson back for season 4, barring any major casting shakeups.
With Bridget’s romantic moment with Jack, it seems as if that could be a big storyline in season four as well.
Debra Monk as Armstrong – Seemingly Should Return
Debra Monk’s Armstrong plays a big role in the “downstairs” as the antagonist for the crew.
We expect her back at this time, barring any big changes.
Audra McDonald as Dorothy Scott – Seemingly Should Return
There’s no reason to think that Audra McDonald won’t return for the fourth season. She was in multiple episodes in season three as Peggy’s mom, and with everything that’s happening with Peggy, we’d be surprise if she did not return.
Phylicia Rashad and Brian Stokes Mitchell as the Kirklands –
The two famed actors portrayed Mr. and Mrs. Kirkland in season three. Phylicia especially had a larger presence in season three, and we’d be surprised if they don’t return in some capacity, given what went down with Peggy and Dr. Kirkland.
Nathan Lane as Ward McAllister – Unclear Future!
Nathan Lane‘s Ward McAllister ended season three being told he would not be invited to Bertha’s end of season ball.
Unfortunately, after publishing his gossipy book, it looks like he may not have a huge role going forward!
Hattie Morahan as Lady Sarah – Unclear Future!
Hattie Morahan played Lady Sarah Vere, the Duke of Buckingham’s (Ben Lamb) sister who does not like the Russells.
In the penultimate episode, the Duke and Duchess of Buckingham told Sarah she might enjoy spending more time away from their home, implying that perhaps she won’t have as big of a role in season four! Stay tuned as we learn more.
Nicole Brydon Bloom as Maud Beaton – Seemingly Exiting
Actress Nicole Brydon Bloom made a surprise appearance in season three after stealing Oscar’s money in season two. He put her on a train back to her hometown at the end of the season, and she seemed to confirm this wrapped her time on the show.
“The goddess of timing once found us beguiling… but now… I’m off to Sandusky. Thank you @gildedagehbo and to my sweet Oscar. Blake, you are a treasure! Xx,” Nicole posted on Instagram.
Claybourne Elder as John Adams – Exiting
Claybourne Elder‘s John Adams died in season three.
On Instagram, Claybourne wrote, “I’ll miss John Adams. Getting to play this quietly complex man who was trying to carve out a space for love and dignity in a world that offered very little of either—was a gift. As a gay actor, I never take for granted the chance to play queer characters with nuance and humanity, especially in stories set in times that tried so hard to erase us. I loved John. I’ll miss him. Thank you to the whole team for letting me be a small part of such a big, beautiful world. And to those of you who’ve rooted for John: thank you. He tried his best. He really did.”
Rachel Pickup as Miss Andre – Seemingly Exiting
Rachel Pickup portrayed Bertha Russell’s maid Miss Andre, but it was discovered that she was selling Russell family secrets to the press.
When she was found out, she was fired from the household and left. It seems that this storyline has wrapped up and we aren’t sure if we’ll be seeing her again…but it appears as if she could be exiting for good.
