HBO’s hit period drama ‘The Gilded Age’ is set to introduce a host of new faces in its upcoming third season. Leslie Uggams, LisaGay Hamilton, and Jessica Frances Dukes are among the eight new cast members joining the critically acclaimed series. Bill Camp, Merritt Wever, Paul Alexander Nolan, Hattie Morahan, Andrea Martin have also been cast in the third season of the HBO period drama.
The new additions will star alongside the returning cast, which includes Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Denée Benton, Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, Louisa Jacobson, Taissa Farmiga, Harry Richardson, and Blake Ritson.
Season 3 of ‘The Gilded Age’ continues the narrative of Julian Fellowes’ creation, which delves into the social and economic upheavals of New York in the 1880s. The third season promises a significant shake-up as New York society navigates through its transformative era.
The official logline for the new season reads: “The American Gilded Age was a period of immense economic and social change, when huge fortunes were made and lost overnight. With the old guard officially deposed, New York society finds itself turned upside down, and all must get their house in order. But even those at the helm of this new era may find that change comes at a cost.”
New cast members’ character descriptions are:
Jessica Frances Dukes as Athena Trumbo, Dorothy’s (Audra McDonald) beloved first cousin, part of an elite Black enclave in Newport, Rhode Island, who is supportive of Peggy’s (Denée Benton) writing career.
Leslie Uggams as Mrs. Ernestine Brown, Elizabeth Kirkland’s (Phylicia Rashad) friend and a member of the Black elite community in Newport.
LisaGay Hamilton as Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, the renowned Black suffragist who influences Peggy to engage in her cause despite opposition from those around her.
Bill Camp as JP Morgan, the renowned investment banker who clashes with George Russell (Spector) over the future of the railroad industry.
Merritt Wever as Monica O’Brien, Bertha Russell’s (Coon) estranged sister, who appears at a crucial time for the family.
Paul Alexander Nolan as Alfred Merrick, a dashing New York businessman with all the attributes of old money, invited by the Russells in hopes of securing a business deal.
Hattie Morahan as Lady Sarah Vere, the Duke of Buckingham’s sister (Ben Lamb), who clearly disapproves of the Russells.
Andrea Martin as Madame Dashkova, a medium who claims to commune with the dead.
These above eight newcomers are the latest to join the cast. Phylicia Rashad, Jordan Donica, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Victoria Clark were previously announced to join the upcoming season.
Rashad joins as Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkland, a formidable woman from a prominent Black family in Newport. Her son, Dr. William Kirkland (Donica), is a kind and intelligent physician, potentially clashing with his mother’s rigid expectations. Clark will portray Joan Carlton, a gracious New York socialite whose status may be challenged in unexpected ways. Mitchell will play Frederick Kirkland, the patriarch of the Kirkland family and a pastor, highlighting the intersection of faith, race, and social status.
Julian Fellowes continues as writer and executive producer, joined by Sonja Warfield as writer and executive producer. Gareth Neame, Bob Greenblatt, and David Crockett also serve as executive producers, with Michael Engler and Salli Richardson-Whitfield as directors and executive producers. Erica Dunbar is the historical consultant and co-executive producer. The series is co-produced by HBO and Universal Television, with Bernie Telsey and Adam Caldwell from the Telsey Office as casting directors.