The Gilded Age Will Have More of Its Best Character in Season 4

Unlike its older English sister Downton Abbey, The Gilded Age casts a more skeptical eye upon its upper-crust protagonists. The central family, led by George and Bertha Russell (Morgan Spector and Carrie Coon) are unapologetic robber barons who find it more challenging than expected to buy their way into the high society of 1880s New York City. Yet, creator Julian Fellowes still has affection for the humanity of his characters and finds space for some delightful people even among the upper crust, none more so than Mrs. Mamie Fish, played by Ashlie Atkinson.

For those who love Mrs. Fish’s gleeful mess-making, season 4 of The Gilded Age will be the best yet. That’s because Atkinson has been bumped up from a recurring cast member to regular, alongside Jordan Donica, who plays Dr. William Kirkland, the love interest to Peggy Scott (Denée Benton). The promotion for Atkinson means that we’re sure to see more of Mrs. Fish giggling at all of the rich person foolishness, much to our delight.

And there is certain to be plenty of rich person foolishness in The Gilded Age‘s fourth season. Season 3 ended with George reaping what he sowed when a clerk shot him, only to be saved by the fast action by Dr. Kirkland. The incident did nothing to diminish his anger at his wife’s manipulations, particularly as they involved son Larry (Harry Richardson) and daughter Gladys (Taissa Farmiga), and he ended the season by telling Bertha that he wants to separate from her. Given the way the social stigma against divorce played throughout the previous episodes, George’s reprimand hits Bertha particularly hard.

Conversely, Kirkland’s ability to save George plays into his proposal of marriage to Peggy, a proposal that came against the wishes of his snobby mother (Phylicia Rashad). At the same time, the season saw the closeted Oscar van Rhijn (Blake Ritson) enter into a sham marriage with the widowed schemer Mrs. Winterton (Kelley Curran).

All these couplings and decouplings make for good soapy watching, and no one enjoys them more than Mrs. Fish—which is accurate to real American history. Marion Graves Anthon Fish lived in New York between 1853 and her death in 1915, a socialite who described herself as a “fun-maker.” The real Mamie Fish hosted grand parties for both new money and old, and, like her television counterpart, spiked her conversations with sharp observations.

As if the big events in the season 3 finale didn’t give Mrs. Fish enough to talk about, season 4 will also see several supporting characters enter the story. Most notable among them are the infamous John D. Rockefeller, portrayed by Neal Huff, and a trouble-making member of the Astor family named Fiona Summers, played by Maggie Kuntz. Television great Dennis Haysbert will also be joining the cast as a mentor to Dr. Kirkland.

Obviously, there will be lots to talk about in The Gilded Age season 4. And if the previous seasons are any indication, there will be lots of horrible behavior among the rich and powerful. But as long as Mrs. Fish is there with her barbed commentary, we can at least laugh as we gasp at them.

The Gilded Age seasons 1 through 3 are streaming on HBO Max.

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