“The Gilded Age” Hits Record Viewership

“The Gilded Age” Hits Record Viewership

HBO’s “The Gilded Age’ - which has been filmed in Newport - has hit a new high.

According to Variety, the fifth episode of the show’s third season reached four million viewers in Live+3 viewing. 

“That beats the previous series high set just last week with episode four’s 3.8 million viewers. The show is outperforming its previous season by 20% thus far and reached its highest-ever weekly viewership on HBO Max, based on weekly viewing accounts,” writes the entertainment publication. 

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The period piece, which won an Emmy Award in 2022 for production design, went on to receive multiple Emmy nominations in 2024. 

Longtime reviewer Roger Egbert recently lauded its third season. 

“It has often felt like ‘The Gilded Age’ was comfortable staying within the confines of its cloying cocoon, and while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, the seriousness of this season has transformed the show for good,” wrote Egbert. “It’s an undeniable series best, one which allows its actors the grace of consuming witty material, transforming it into biting commentary on wealth, community and desire as it flows out of their mouths.”

And with the series’ big numbers coming in this week - the prospect for a fourth season looms large. 

“The scheming and politics that these characters partake in finally have some weighty consequences not only for themselves, but for how the show will proceed if a fourth season is greenlit,” he added.

According to Variety, the latest numbers show a continued upward trajectory in viewership. 

"'The Gilded Age' had found love with critics since its debut, but did not start off strong in the ratings. It has slowly built its audience over its three seasons via word of mouth, with this season being the most popular yet by far," wrote Variety this week. 

 

Boon for Rhode Island 

As GoLocal reported at the announcement of the third season: 

HBO will continue The Gilded Age series, and this is a boon for Rhode Island’s film and television industry.

The cable series has been a significant boost to Newport tourism and attendance at the mansions.

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes is the creator of The Gilded Age.

The show just finished broadcasting its second season. In the first two seasons, Newport was the backdrop to the period piece. 

Production has taken place extensively throughout Newport, and the series has sought local extras. 

GoLocal previously recognized Steve Feinberg with the RI Film & TV Office and Trudy Coxe with the Newport Preservation Society for their contributions.