HBO’s “The Gilded Age” returns this Sunday for a fourth — and possibly final — season.
The cable studio hasn’t yet revealed whether these 8 episodes are the big wrap they seem to be, or if there will be more in store for the Russell and van Rijn families of 1886 New York.
All of us who’ve seen the 8 episodes are under threat of extermination if we give away anything that happens this season — and there is plenty.
Interestingly there is a plot point that echoes something in New York’s recent past. It’s what we might call a nod. But I can’t say anything more, you’ll just have to wait.
Also, some of the characters go somewhere in Episode 1 in old New York that gave me an inside bit of fun. I’ll mention it on Sunday when reviews are permitted.
Most of the cast from previous seasons returns, with the notable exception of Nathan Lane, who was too busy playing to sold out audiences on Broadway in “Death of a Salesman.” One actor to look out for this season is Tony winner Adrienne Warren, who sings her heart out. (Her Tony is for playing Tina Turner.)
Today most of the cast was in person for a press conference at The Plaza Hotel where later tonight there will be a premiere party as exclusive as one at Mrs. Astor’s — which means we’re not attending.
I watched the press conference online, and the big reveal was that many of the actors have different accents in real life than in character. Blake Ritson, the actor who plays Oscar is British. Harry Richardson (Larry) is Australian. Ben Ahlers, who plays Jack the alarm clock inventor, has a strong New Yawk accent on the show, but he’s from Iowa.
Will the series come back for a fifth spin? And if so, will all the Tony Award singers in the cast — like Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Donna Murphy, Kelli O’Hara — get a musical episode?
Stay tuned…
