The Gilded Age Season 3 Adds a New Family to the Mix

HBO is standing on the right side of history and bringing The Gilded Age back for season three. What can we expect besides, um… great gowns, beautiful gowns? Well, the fashion is just one reason to love this campy show set in late-19th-century New York high society. (Lucky for you, Vulture critic Kathryn VanArendonk has helpfully compiled a list of 11 such reasons.) On June 17, we got a peak behind a curtain into season 3; the logline 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.” Does this economic change mean seeing Cynthia Nixon stepping into her role as a rich boss lady? Here’s everything we know about season 3 of The Gilded Age, including its newest cast members.

Get ready to meet the Kirklands. While they are not of Costco variety, they are a high society family with a doctor son— who will probably be a highly sought-after bachelor. Oo, la la. Phylicia Rashad joins as the head matriarch, Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkland, described as a woman with “high standards” and a “sharp tongue.” As for the physician’s son, Dr. William Kirkland will be played by Chamed’s Jordan Donica; as opposed to his mother, he “isn’t as narrow-minded” as the others in his social circle. Brian Stokes Mitchell will play his father, Frederick Kirkland, a pastor of a prominent Black church and leader in the Newport community. Outside of the Kirkland household comes Victoria Clark, who will play Joan Carlton, a woman coming from old money who finds “herself in a complicated and insulting situation.”

While there’s no confirmation on who’s coming back for thirds, season two starred Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Louisa Jacobson, Denée Benton, Taissa Farmiga, Harry Richardson, among many others — and mainly revolved around a battle for box seats at the opera. And hey, we know there’s at least one guy on Grindr who’s waiting to see Ashlie Atkinson return as Mrs. Fish.

This post has been updated throughout.