The Gilded Age Season 3 Is Completely Changing One Of Its Best Characters, And It's About Time

Warning: this article contains SPOILERS for The Gilded Age season 3, episode 5 – “A Different World.”

The Gilded Age is nothing if not dramatic, with many of its characters set in their petty ways, but season 3 is changing one main character far more than I ever expected. The Gilded Age has always been about power and money, and how to get more of them, leaving its characters scheming to stay atop the hierarchy.

Some, like Bertha Russell or Mrs. Astor do this by vying for social capital, with Bertha’s plans for Gladys Russell to marry Hector, Duke of Buckingham, creating discussion this season. However, one of The Gilded Age’s characters has been looking for money and power in a very different way, and their behavior is much riskier than ever before.

George Russell Has Always Been A Risk Taker, But The Gilded Age Season 3 Has Made Him Reckless

He Is Being Backed Into A Corner

The Gilded Age‘s stakes often don’t feel too high. None of the drama revolves around life and death, and usually the threats to any given character’s social status are quite empty. As a result, Bertha and George Russell have risen through New York high society’s ranks successfully throughout the three seasons so far.

George Russell has always been a risk-taker, but The Gilded Age season 3 is setting him up to lose it all.

While the pair have had a few small setbacks, nothing has ever felt like it would be truly damaging to the characters. Season 3 feels very different in that respect. George Russell has always been a risk-taker, but The Gilded Age season 3 is setting him up to lose it all.

George Russell has always had his opponents. In season 1, it was the old money bankers who were worried that his schemes would bankrupt them. In season 2, it was the labor unions in the early stages of their formation. While George did eventually choose to work with the union to an extent, he certainly still profited.

George has always been a very shrewd businessman, and things have always worked out in his favor.

As a classic example of a robber baron, George Russell’s business practices have not always been entirely above board, but largely, the series still makes him out to be a responsible character who cares for his family. George has always been a very shrewd businessman, and things have always worked out in his favor.

The Gilded Age Season 3 Premiere’s Shocking New Location Change Explained By Series Creator

The Gilded Age season 3 opens with George Russell arriving at a surprising new location that’s very different from New York’s posh 61st Street.

While The Gilded Age does not necessarily mention specific numbers for most of the characters’ wealth, it is safe to assume that George Russell is the richest. That could all change in season 3, though, because his new transcontinental railroad plan has the character acting truly recklessly, rather than his usual calculated risks.

Episode 5 Makes George Russell’s Railroad Plans More Unlikely Than Ever

George Russell May Not Come Out On Top This Time

George looks up from his work while sitting at his desk in The Gilded Age

George Russell has always been ambitious, and so far, that has worked out for him. After The Gilded Age season 3, episode 5’s ending, though, I am starting to doubt whether he can work things out this time. The season opened with George scoping out the mines in Morenci, Arizona, hoping to buy the land above them.

Morgan Spector as George Russell in The Gilded Age

Why This Gilded Age Moment Feels So Hollywood – But It’s Not What You Think

The Gilded Age season 3 brought George Russell to the Wild West, but Julian Fellowes’ series shot those scenes closer to the show’s New York setting.

George’s plan for Morenci is tied to his desire to connect the coasts with a transcontinental railroad. So far, though, he has been unsuccessful in purchasing the mines from their owners. This is a massive setback for Mr. Russell, especially considering New York’s big businessmen, like J.P. Morgan, are no longer backing the plan.

In fact, after losing financial support from J.P. Morgan in episode 4, The Gilded Age season 3, episode 5 saw George Russell fire his longtime secretary, Clay, for failing to close the Morenci deal. Now, George has even roped his son, Larry Russell, into going to The Gilded Age‘s Wild West setting to attempt the sale instead.

Merrick, too, turns down Mr. Russell’s offer, officially leaving his plan destroyed.

These rash decisions do make it seem like George Russell is beginning to panic a bit, but there is more. Late in episode 5, George invites Alfred Merrick, Bertha’s friend, over for dinner in an attempt to convince him to sell shares of his railroad in Chicago. Merrick, too, turns down Mr. Russell’s offer, officially leaving his plan destroyed.

The Gilded Age Is Making A Big Change To Bertha’s First Enemy

Bertha Russell’s lady’s maid turned society lady, Mrs. Winterton, has always been one of the show’s most frustrating characters, but that may change.

With three episodes left in the season, it is unclear how George Russell is going to be able to fix this problem. He has financially overextended himself and his family. If the plan does not work, they will all be devastated, so it will be interesting to see what George has left up his sleeve.

The Gilded Age Season 3’s Divorce Theme Could Impact The Russells Too

Bertha & George Are Facing More Trouble Than Ever

George Russell’s business behavior and his seeming desperation are notable changes to the character for season 3, but even more shockingly, The Gilded Age has also changed his relationship with his wife, Bertha. In fact, The Gilded Age season 3 seems to be setting up the Russells’ divorce.

As the show’s main couple, it makes sense that the divorce topic would touch them too, but the decline has happened incredibly fast.

It has long been known that divorce would be the theme for The Gilded Age season 3, but Bertha and George Russell still seem like strange candidates. As the show’s main couple, it makes sense that the divorce topic would touch them too, but the decline has happened incredibly fast.

Throughout the series, George and Bertha Russell have always been very strong partners, so, as an audience member, it feels strange to see their dynamic changing so rapidly. Thanks to Bertha’s interference in Gladys’ marriage, Bertha and George have been fighting far more than ever before.

“I Don’t Think Of It As Selling Our Daughter”: The Gilded Age Stars Debate Bertha Russell’s Season 3 Plan

The Gilded Age’s Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector have voiced their views on Bertha’s season 3 plan for Gladys, hinting at the exciting drama to come.

Each character feels like they are out of the loop in the other’s life. In episode 5 alone, Bertha is upset to find that George fired Clay and asked Larry to go to Morenci. Likewise, George is angry that Bertha has forced their daughter into a marriage that she hates, causing him to see his wife as an opponent.

The Gilded Age season 3, episode 6, “If You Want to Cook an Omelette,” will premiere on HBO Max on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at 9 pm EST.

To further the point, several other men have flirted with Bertha this season, and she has flirted back. At the time, divorces could only be attained after someone committed adultery, so these men could even be The Gilded Age‘s way of setting up a potential affair for Bertha Russell, further alienating George Russell in the final episodes.