Created by Julian Fellowes, the mindbehindDownton Abbey, HBO Max’s hit historical dramaThe Gilded Agerefers to the historical period in the late 19th century driven by rapid industrialization. During this time, industrialists amassed new fortunes, with nouveau riche families entering the high society scene. In the series, much of the drama is driven by the tension between old money and new money, which dominated thesocial circles of New Yorkin real life back then.
Despite being fictional,The Gilded Ageis deeply informed by history. The series highlights severalreal historical events. Many of its characters are inspired by real people. Well-known figures like Oscar Wilde (Jordan Waller) and J.P. Morgan (Bill Camp) have made brief cameos. So have the renowned architect Stanford White (John Sanders), famous opera singer Christina Nilsson (Sarah Joy Miller), and successful portrait painter John Singer Sargent (Bobby Steggert). Additionally, Maud Beaton (Nicole Bryndon Bloom), who steals the van Rhijn fortune in Season 2, shares a resemblance to a con artist who was known under the aliases of Cassie Chadwick, Lydia Devere, and Elizabeth “Betty” Bigley.
The Gilded Age
The 11 major characters fromThe Gilded Agelisted here are also inspired by factual icons and socialites. Some minor players who play a part in big storylines are, as well. Some of these entries might surprise you.
11Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon)
Inspired by Alva Vanderbilt
With the Vanderbilt name being so prominent in this day and age, it’s surprising that at one point in history those who carried it were outcasts in high society. As part of the nouveau riche, the family was looked down upon by the old-money families in New York, mirroring the Russell experience when they made the move from 30th Street to their newly constructed house on Fifth Avenue. Although highly fictionalized, Carrie Coon’s Bertha Russell has been confirmed as being inspired by the real-life Vanderbilt matriarch of the time, Alva, whose husband was a railroad heir and tycoon.
An Extremely Powerful and Clever Woman
Like Bertha, Alva Vanderbilt faced many struggles in joining the upper class, being viewed asgarish new money. As the wife of a self-made businessman and a woman who lacked high birth, Bertha is also shunned at the beginning of the series, despite being the wealthiest among all the ladies. Luckily for her character, Fellowes wrote her with many of the same qualities as Alva, whohe describes as"a woman who meant business." Her counterpart was also a force who ended up dominating the social scene, conquering the city and dethroning the very Mrs. Astor.
10Gladys Russell (Taissa Farmiga)
Inspired by Consuelo Vanderbilt
Taissa Farmiga’s sweet-natured, soft-spoken Gladys Russell is based on Alva’s daughter, Consuelos Vanderbilt, who also had a meek disposition. In the show, Bertha keeps a close eye on her daughter, raising her in a strict household. Alva was also vigilant when it came to Consuelos. The Vanderbilt matriarch shared the same desires as Bertha when it came to presenting her daughter to high society. In fact, the obscenely lavish ball seen in the Season 1 finale that’s thrown for Gladys is inspired by an extravagant masquerade ball that Alva threw for Consuelos, largely in an effort to win over the real-life Mrs. Astor.
Two Mirroring Mother-Daughter Relationships
Much like Bertha did to Gladys, Alvathwarted her daughter’s romantic hopes. It’s widely known that Consuelos also wanted to marry for love, but her mother disrupted every attempt by those possible suitors. Mirroring her counterpart, Bertha plans an advantageous proposal. In Season 2, she sets her eyes on the Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb), who appears to be inspired by Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough, although it hasn’t been confirmed. Consuelos was forced to marry The Duke of Marlborough, who required a $2.5 million dowry, and lived in an unhappy marriage before they divorced 26 years later. It seems Gladys is heading down the same path, but hopefully that won’t be the case.
9George Russell (Morgan Spector)
Inspired by Jason “Jay” Gould
George Russell is a key player inThe Gilded Age. Not only is he important in Bertha’s storyline, but his character is central in depicting the industrialization of the time and highlighting captivating pieces of real history. With Bertha and Gladys being loosely based on the Vanderbilts, it may appear as though George Russell is inspired by Alva’s husband, William Kissam Vanderbilt, but that isn’t the case.
On the official HBO podcast for the show, Julian Fellowes revealed that he took inspiration from another railroad tycoon of the 1880s, Jay Gould. Gould was also a robber baron who struggled to be accepted by his old-money peers. Like the fictional Mrs. Astor, her real-life counterpart wasn’t keen on the wealthy industrialist.The union railroad strikethat affects George during the second season is inspired by the Great Southwest Railroad Strike of 1886, which struck against the Union Pacific and Missouri Pacific railroads owned by Jay Gould.
8Mrs. Astor (Donna Murphy)
Inspired by Caroline Webster “Lina” Schermerhorn Astor
The obvious inspiration behind the show was Mrs. Astor is the well-known American socialite who handpicked and led the Four Hundred, an elite social circle of the wealthiest and most fashionable families. These people held access to the most exclusive parties and social events, which were usually hosted by Mrs. Astor. Legend has it that the term comes from the number of people who could fit into her ballroom.The queen beecame from an old Knickerbocker family, one of the original 17th-century Dutch settlers of Manhattan. Her husband, William Backhouse Astor, was from a family who had amassed a fortune through real estate and fur trading.
A True Rivalry
Like Donna Murphy’s character, Mrs. Astor set the tone for the rest of the upper echelon, with everyone following in her direction. Mirroring the relationship between Mrs. Astor and Bertha Russell, the real-life Mrs. Astor tried keeping Alva Vanderbilt at arm’s length, setting forth a rivalry. Alva was also blocked from a box at the Academy of Music. The opera war depicted in the series is inspired by the building of the Metropolitan Opera. Like Bertha, Alva was instrumental to its founding. Mrs. Astor was also forced to admit defeat in real life.
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7Ward McCallister (Nathan Lane)
Inspired by Samuel Ward McCallister
The on-screen faithful companion of Mrs. Astor is based on Samuel Ward McCallister. On the show, he becomes an ally to Bertha, unable to resist her charm and growing fond of her. He advises her on parties and how to get in with Ton. Ward does his best to help Bertha be accepted by high society and get into the good graces of Mrs. Astor. Despite holding her in such high esteem, he remains steadfastly loyal to Mrs. Astor, siding with her in the opera showdown between her and Bertha.
A Society Darling Falls From Grace
A former lawyer, McCallister made a fortune during the Gold Rush in California. He was close to Mrs. Astor, asThe Gilded Ageportrays, serving as her right-hand man and confidant, with their families being distantly related through marriage. The Southern man was a gatekeeper of society alongside her, helping coin the term of the Four Hundred, and playing a part in its authority. He was a strong influence on society and was highly regarded for his fine taste. In 1890, he published a book of memoirs titledSociety As I Have Found It, shedding light on the lives of the Four Hundred. His writings led to a fallout with Mrs. Astor and made him a social pariah.
6Mamie Fish (Ashlie Atkinson)
Inspired by Marion ‘Mamie’ Graves Anton Fish
Mamie Fish is introduced in the first season, appearing in three episodes. In the pilot, she hosts a party in Newport, where Larry Russell (Harry Richardson) strikes an acquaintance with Agnes' (Christine Baranski) son, Oscar van Rhijn (Blake Ritson). Her bizarre doll tea party takes place in the sixth episode, during which she welcomes Gladys and Larry. The event was significant in the plot,spurring a friendshipbetween Gladys and Mrs. Astor’s daughter, Carrie (Amy Forsyth), which Bertha later uses to her advantage. She also appears in the eighth episode “Tucked Up in Newport,” and becomes a series regular in Season 2.
A Festive Socialite
Her real-life counterpart was celebrated for her lavish, outrageous parties, many of which were thematic, and much stranger and entertaining than what’s seen on the show. In real life, the “fun-maker” of the Gilded Age was known for being just as witty and humorous. LikeThe Gilded Agedepicts, Mamie Fish was more accepting of the nouveau riche than Mrs. Astor and other old-money members of society.
5Sylvia Chamberlain (Jeanne Tripplehorn)
Inspired by Arabella Huntington
The widow Sylvia Chamberlain, who appears in six episodes throughout the first season, is an homage to Arabella Huntington. OnThe Gilded Age, Sylvia is treated like an outcast, despite her big donations to charities. During events, none of the other women in attendance ever want to speak to her, treating her like she’s invisible. Agnes warns her niece Marian (Louisa Jacobson) not to socialize with her, lest her reputation be tainted. The kindhearted young woman strikes up a friendship with her nonetheless.
Two Remarkable Women On- and Off-Screen
Sylvia shares many parallels with her counterpart. Arabella also had a mysterious past. Similar to Sylvia, she was the second wife to an extremely wealthy industrialist, whose first wife died of cancer months before the two got married. Such suspicious circumstances made hercontroversial in society, with many believing she was his mistress and that her son was born out of wedlock during their affair. Both the fictional and real-life women were philanthropists and great patrons of the arts. Arabella also collected luxury items, jewelry, trinkets, and paintings. Her impressive collection of artworks was donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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4T. Thomas Fortune (Sullivan Jones)
Inspired by Timothy Thomas Fortune
T. Thomas Fortune, played by Sullivan Jones, becomes Peggy Scott’s (Denée Benton) editor in the first season. Impressed by her work, he contacts the budding author, and she starts writing for his prominent Black newspaper, theNew York Globe. The two develop a friendship, which later turns into more. In an attempt to spare herself heartache and respect his marriage, Peggy feels forced to quit working for the paper at the end of Season 2.
A Civil Rights Pioneer
The real Timothy Thomas Fortune was also a radical journalist and publisher, who played a crucial role in lifting Black voices during a time when racial inequality ran more rampant.The Gilded Agedoesn’t delve into the depth of his activism, but he was major in shaping the public discourse on civil rights beforethe Civil Rights Movementof the 20th century. Fortune founded the National Afro-American League, a precursor to the NAACP. He was a close friend and advisor to Booker T. Washington (Michael Braugher), who makes a cameo on the show, and helped edit his autobiography.
3Clara Barton (Linda Emond)
Inspired by Clarissa “Clara” Harlowe Barton
Clara Barton appears in three episodes in the first season. At an event hosted by Aurora Fane (Kelli O’Hara) and Anne Morris (Katie Finnernan), she gives a moving speech to old-money New York patrons, looking for donations to establish an American chapter of the International Red Cross. Without hesitation, she accepts the extremely generous donation from Bertha, which is enough to fund three branches, one of which is later shown. Despite knowing it was a move to climb up the social ladder, she’s thankful for Bertha’s generosity.
A Heroic Nurse and Philanthropist
Just like inThe Gilded Age, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, except in real life, it happened one year before it’s depicted on the show.During the Civil War, she worked as a nurse tending to Union Army soldiers. With the help of President Abraham Lincoln, she opened the Missing Soldiers Office, which was successful in determining the fate or whereabouts of more than 20,000 soldiers.
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2Emily Roebling (Liz Wisan)
Inspired by Emily Warren Roebling
In Season 2, Episode 5,The Gilded Ageintroduces Emily Roebling by way of Larry Russell. Despite only appearing in one episode, the character is memorable for providing the audience with an important history lesson. After his affair with Mrs. Blane (Laura Benanti), Larry, whose father is a trustee for the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, is sent to Pittsburgh to check on its progress. The chief engineer, Washington Roebling, is suspiciously absent. After doing some digging, Larry discovers that it’s his wife, Emily, who is behind the work on the colossal project.
An Overlooked Figure
Although Emily didn’t have a formal education as an engineer, she learned a lot over the years. Just like the show’s character, she took over the bridge construction after her husband fell ill, managing the crew, negotiating materials, and making technical decisions. As portrayed, she wanted to keep it a secret because, “No one must know a woman was the engineer behind the bridge. They might not even want to walk across it.” Years later, Emily got a law degree and worked onwomen’s rights cases.
