HBO’s The Gilded Age, Julian Fellowes’ opulent 1880s New York society drama, returns for its third season (premiered June 22), delivering lavish production design and strong performances from Carrie Coon, Christine Baranski, and Cynthia Nixon. Set against a backdrop of burgeoning railroads and fierce class rivalry, the season explores the Russells’ railroad ambitions and Bertha’s strategic marriage plans for daughter Gladys, paralleled by Ada and Agnes’s shifting household dynamics.

However, critical reaction remains mixed. New Yorker critiques the show as “lavish yet ultimately superficial,” with inflated aesthetics and shaky narrative stakes, though it offers emotional payoffs—especially in the storyline of Oscar’s hidden grief. Decider praises its “stellar cast” and intricate plot weaving, while noting its heavy reliance on dialogue rather than action.

Fans and reviewers alike point out a trend toward low-stakes soapy drama: some appreciate its “gloriously indulgent” escapism (The Guardian), while others find the character arcs predictable or thin (CNN commentary on series style).