HBO's lavish period drama The Gilded Age is reshaping its cast for its fourth season, with two recurring players exiting as a wave of new faces arrives.
According to Deadline, Patrick Page and Sullivan Jones will not return for the new run. Page has played George Russell's secretary Richard Clay, while Jones appeared as New York Globe publisher T Thomas Fortune.
Both characters were introduced as recurring in season 1 and promoted to series regulars for season 2, before reverting to recurring status in season 3. However, reports do suggest that either could resurface for a guest appearance in a future season.
Of course, both characters featured prominently in season 3 in their own storylines. Clay ended up being fired by George Russell (Morgan Spector) for failing to close a major deal, then in a turn of events, became a prime suspect in the shooting that closed the season. Fortune, once a mentor to aspiring writer Peggy Scott (Denée Benton), actually crossed a line by pursuing her romantically despite being married. As for his season 3 arc, things ended with a confrontation involving Peggy's suitor and future husband, Dr William Kirkland (Jordan Donica).
All eyes will be on the upcoming fourth season to see just how things unfold, with HBO's official synopsis setting up the fallout from Bertha Russell's social ambitions.
It reads: "Bertha Russell changed Society at a cost. Now, her family must reckon with the consequences as Agnes van Rhijn seizes an opportunity to regain her position. Meanwhile, Marian forges a new path for herself, and Peggy works to be accepted by her future in-laws. In this new era, you must be careful what you wish for".
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HBO released the full season 4 trailer on 13 October, and it has drawn considerable attention, racking up tens of millions of views within days. The trailer prompted concern among fans about George and Bertha Russell's daughter Gladys, now a duchess living in England and played by Farmiga, who does not appear in it. However, she thankfully remains on HBO's list of returning cast.
The departures come as the ensemble swells with new additions. They include Taylor Trensch, James Scully, Dennis Haysbert, Maggie Kuntz, Neal Huff, Bonnie Milligan, Jim Gaffigan, Dallas Roberts, Andrew Burnap, Elizabeth Marvel and Adrienne Warren. Gaffigan joins as US president Grover Cleveland, while Haysbert plays Dr Reginald Harris, a mentor to William Kirkland.
They line up alongside returning stars including Spector, Carrie Coon, Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, Louisa Jacobson, Harry Richardson, Benton, Taissa Farmiga, Donica, Audra McDonald, Kelli O'Hara, Bill Camp and Phylicia Rashad.
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The Gilded Age season 4 premieres on Sunday 1 November on HBO and stream on HBO Max at 9pm ET/PT in the US and will premiere on Monday 2 November on Sky TV and NOW in the UK. You can sign up to NOW from £4.99 a month.
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