The Gilded Age, a high-society drama set in 19th century New York City, has begun its second season. The series returned October 29 to HBO and Max with the first of eight new episodes.
The Gilded Age debuted in 2022. The Emmy-winning series, created by Downton Abbey impresario Julian Fellowes, has attracted a loyal following along with its share of criticism. CNN has described Season Two as a “soapy” tale centered on competing opera companies, while The Washington Post gives the second season credit for being “a massive improvement over the muddled and strangely anticlimactic first season.”
If you’re traveling outside the United States, watching The Gilded Age shouldn’t present a problem if you use a reliable VPN service. Several TV networks and streaming services will give you access to the The Gilded Age season two from anywhere in the world.
The Gilded Age
The second season of The Gilded Age premiered October 29 on HBO and HBO’s recently renamed streaming service, Max.
What Is the Plot of the New Season?
After the juicy developments of the nine-episode Season One, the second season opens on Easter morning in 1883 with the news that Russell family matriarch Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon) has been refused a box at the old-money Academy of Music. She responds by leading the drive to build the Metropolitan Opera, a potential Academy of Music rival.
The Metropolitan Opera campaign pits Bertha against Mrs. Astor (Donna Murphy) and the Russells’ neighbors, old-money sisters Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) and Ada Brook (Cynthia Nixon).
Meanwhile, Bertha’s new-money husband, ruthless tycoon George Russell (Morgan Spector), is preoccupied with striking union workers at his steel mill in Pittsburgh, impoverished Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) starts teaching, Ada starts a new courtship and Agnes’ secretary, Peggy Scott (Denée Benton), taps into her activist spirit.
The Gilded Age Season 2 Cast Changes
Ten actors have newly entered The Gilded Age for Season Two. They are:
- Laura Benanti as glamorous widow Susan Blane
- Nicole Brydon Bloom as socialite Caroline Stuyvesant
- Michael Braugher as educator Booker T. Washington
- Christopher Denham as banker Robert McNeil
- David Furr as Agnes’ nephew, Dashiell Montgomery
- Rebecca Hakin as New York society fixture Flora McNeil
- Ben Lamb as the Duke of Buckingham, a recently arrived transplant
- Matilda Lawler as Dashiell’s daughter Frances
- Robert Sean Leonard as NYC newcomer Rev. Luke Forte
- Dakin Matthews as rich, newly married Mr. Winterton
The Gilded Age Season 2 Trailer
Here is the trailer for the second season of The Gilded Age, which debuted October 29.
The Gilded Age Season 2 Titles And Air Dates
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
“You Don’t Even Like Opera”
|
October 29, 2023 (season premiere)
|
| 2 |
“Some Sort of Trick”
|
November 5, 2023 on HBO (9 p.m. ET/PT) and Max (6 p.m. ET/PT)
|
| 3 |
“Head to Head”
|
November 12, 2023 on HBO (9 p.m. ET/PT) and Max (6 p.m. ET/PT)
|
| 4 |
“His Grace the Duke”
|
November 19, 2023 on HBO (9 p.m. ET/PT) and Max (6 p.m. ET/PT)
|
| 5 |
“Close Encounter to Touch”
|
November 26, 2023 on HBO (9 p.m. ET/PT) and Max (6 p.m. ET/PT)
|
| 6 |
To be announced
|
December 3, 2023 on HBO (9 p.m. ET/PT) and Max (6 p.m. ET/PT)
|
| 7 |
To be announced
|
December 10, 2023 on HBO (9 p.m. ET/PT) and Max (6 p.m. ET/PT)
|
| 8 |
To be announced
|
December 17, 2023 on HBO (9 p.m. ET/PT) and Max (6 p.m. ET/PT)
|
How To Watch The Gilded Age With a VPN
Various streaming and cable TV services will allow you to enjoy The Gilded Age from within the U.S. If you’re traveling abroad, however, you may face some barriers when attempting to access U.S-based streaming services. Streaming services typically block users from watching their programming outside the regions where they have licenses.
If you use a virtual private network or VPN, however, the streaming service will work as though you’re home in the U.S. rather than in another country. You can access any of your streaming services from wherever you are with a stable internet connection.
Affordable plans from NordVPN (starting at $2.99 per month, with a 30-day money-back guarantee) and TorGuard VPN (starting at $9.99 per month, with a seven-day money-back guarantee) are two options you can use to watch The Gilded Age Season Two from anywhere.
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How To Set Up a VPN
Setting up a VPN involves a simple, straightforward process that puts The Gilded Age on your screen a lot faster if you’re overseas. First, you must create an account with your chosen VPN provider after downloading the app on your computer or smart device.
Once you do that, the app will connect you to the nearest VPN server or allow you to choose from a list of servers. Select a server in the U.S. to route your internet traffic there.
Once you receive confirmation of your new connection, you can use your device to watch streaming services as if you were stateside. When you’re done, disconnect from your VPN or switch your server from the home screen.
Where to Watch The Gilded Age Season 2
Here’s a rundown on where you can catch the latest happenings on Season Two of The Gilded Age.
| Service | Description | Free Trial | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HBO
|
HBO is available from most cable TV and satellite TV providers.
|
None
|
Prices vary, as determined by TV providers
|
|
Max
|
In May 2023, Max replaced HBO Max as HBO’s streaming service.
|
None
|
Starting at $9.99
|
|
Prime Video
|
Members of Amazon’s Prime Video can add Max at an extra cost.
|
30 days for Prime Video; seven days for Max add-on
|
$15.99 a month for Prime Video with Max add-on
|
|
DirecTV Stream
|
Max can be added to a DirecTV or DirectTV Stream package
|
Five days for DirecTV Stream
|
Packages start at $64.99; Max can be added for $15.99 a month
|
|
Hulu
|
Max can be added to any Hulu subscription.
|
One month
|
Packages start at $7.99 for Hulu with ads; Max add-on is $15.99 monthly
|
|
YouTube TV
|
Max is available as a standalone YouTube TV add-on or as part of YouTube TV’s Entertainment Plus package.
|
Seven days
|
$15 for Max alone; $29.99 for Entertainment Plus (including Max, Showtime and Starz)
|
Bottom Line
With so many viewing options, you should be able to check out the new season of The Gilded Age from anywhere. Take a seat, sip on a real or mock martini or Manhattan, and prepare for another trip back to the late 1800s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a VPN to watch The Gilded Age?
If you’re in the U.S., you don’t need a VPN to watch The Gilded Age. However, if you are traveling abroad, a VPN could come in handy.
Can I stream The Gilded Age for free?
Technically, the second season of The Gilded Age can’t be viewed for free. You’ll need to pay for a cable TV package (HBO) or streaming service (Max), or to subscribe to platforms like DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Hulu, Prime Channels and YouTube TV. However, you may be able to score a free trial with one of these options that’ll let you catch The Gilded Age at no cost for a limited time.
