The cast of The Gilded Age is sharing their hopes for the show’s next chapter, focusing on the fallout from Season 3’s dramatic ending. With the fourth season confirmed, actors are speculating about the future of the Russell marriage and other storylines.
The Fate of ‘Railroad Daddy’
The central question for the new season is the future of Bertha and George Russell, one of television’s most powerful couples. Their relationship was left in a fragile state after George decided to leave Bertha in the Season 3 finale.
Audra McDonald, who plays Dorothy Scott, expressed her hope for a reconciliation, directly referencing George’s popular nickname among fans.
“Well, I want to know what’s going to happen with ‘Railroad Daddy’, if he’s going to come back to our dear Bertha. I can’t imagine life without the two of them together, they belong together, so their road back to each other is going to be interesting to watch,” McDonald said.
Carrie Coon, who portrays Bertha, has hinted that her character is not one to give up easily. She suggested that after a moment of grief, Bertha’s “wheels are already turning about how she’s going to fix it.” Coon remains optimistic about their relationship, noting that the show has not strictly followed the Vanderbilt storyline, on which the Russells are loosely based. In real history, Alva and William Vanderbilt did divorce.
New Alliances and Juicy Drama
Beyond the Russell household, other characters are poised for compelling arcs. Taissa Farmiga, who plays Gladys Russell, revealed she is particularly excited to see the dynamic between Oscar van Rhijn and Mrs. Winterton.
“I feel like Oscar van Rhijn is someone who… him and Mrs. Winterton together, I feel like they get up to so much drama, but like juicy drama. I’m excited to see what chaos they would cause for our society in the 1880s,” Farmiga told reporters.
At the end of Season 3, Oscar proposed a marriage of convenience to Mrs. Winterton following the deaths of their respective partners, setting the stage for a complex alliance. Farmiga also shared her personal hopes for Gladys, joking that she would love to see her character “start wearing suits” but acknowledging it might not be in the cards for 1880s high society.
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Production Updates and Storyline Clues
While fans are eager for new episodes, production on Season 4 has not yet begun. The cast is expected to receive the first scripts soon. Cynthia Nixon, who plays Ada Forte, confirmed, “I’m hearing that we’ll be getting the first three [scripts] very soon, so that’s exciting.”
Several other storylines are waiting to be resolved. The romance between Larry Russell and Marian Brook is moving forward, though they are not yet re-engaged. Peggy Scott was presented with a romantic proposal from William, but her answer was not shown. Gladys is also expecting her first child with the Duke, a storyline that could provide a happier path than similar narratives in creator Julian Fellowes’ previous work.
HBO announced the Season 4 renewal in July 2025, while the third season was still airing, following a successful run that saw viewership grow by 20 percent. No official release date has been set. Past production schedules, which were affected by industry strikes, suggest a potential premiere in late 2026.
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