The Gilded Age is a hit for HBO Max, so much so that season two is already a fact. Thanks to its lavish period setting and undeniable soapy factor, the show has become a fan favorite among fans of historical pieces with a healthy dose of drama.
The series features a large ensemble of characters who often display their influence and power. However, despite being the undisputed leaders of late 18th century New York, would they remain as mighty in modern-day New York? Who in the cast of The Gilded Age would thrive in the 21st century Big Apple and who would fail?
Oscar Van Rhijn
Agnes Van Rhijn's only child, Oscar, is one of the most unlikable characters in The Gilded Age. He is careless and selfish, desperate to secure Gladys Russell's hand in marriage, dooming her to a lifetime of unhappiness. Life as a closeted gay man was hard, but Oscar does little to endear himself to the audience with his pompous ways and disregard for others' feelings.
Nepotism babies are divisive in the current culture, and Oscar is the term's embodiment. He seems to have no qualifications other than knowing how to act the part of a wealthy gentleman. In 2022, Oscar would probably live off his mother's vast wealth, investing in numerous businesses that never go anywhere. As he does in the show, he'd also be constantly on the hunt for a rich partner to solve all his problems.
Ada Brook
Cynthia Nixon's Ada Brook is Agnes' sweet and caring younger sister. While not exactly weak-willed, Ada also doesn't enjoy conflict and prefers to do as others say rather than stand up for herself. She cares deeply for her family and is very aware of her situation, knowing she's basically at her sister's mercy.
Ada wouldn't thrive in modern-day New York, but she wouldn't drown either. She probably wouldn't have a lavish lifestyle, but her personality suggests she cares little for luxury. Ada would perhaps be working a full-time job while caring for her beloved dog, Pumpkin. She would also keep herself open to the possibility of love and would constantly visit her relatives.
Agnes Van Rhijn
Television icon Christine Baranski plays one of The Gilded Age's central figures, Agnes Van Rhijn. Stubborn and clinging to the "old ways," Agnes refuses to advance along with society and actively rejects any form of change that comes her way.
2022's Agnes would find it hard to keep up with such a modern world. She wouldn't find herself among the ever-changing trends and would probably lock herself in her own bubble of privilege. Eventually, the society she so values would leave her behind, and she'd become a relic of a bygone era that everyone desperately tried to forget.
Marian Brook
Marian Brook, the ingenue of the story, is Agnes and Ada's niece, impoverished by her father's sudden death. She lacks any fortune, rendering her at the mercy of her aunts, who treat her kindly but are adamant about marrying her to someone rich enough to secure her future.
Despite being headstrong and clever, Marian isn't exactly independent. In 2022, she would find it hard to star over after losing her fortune. Marian would probably turn to social media to tell her riches-to-rag story, garnering sympathy and plenty of attention from the masses. She could perhaps begin a new career as an influencer or even a public speaker, sharing her message of resilience before adversity.
Turner
The Gilded Age's downstairs characters are mostly likable and endearing. However, Turner is the clear exception. She is Bertha Russell's scheming and ambitious lady's maid who's determined to improve her station by whatever means necessary. Turner aims to seduce George Russell, and while her first attempt failed, she might have another ace up her sleeve.
Turner would embody the social climber trope in 2022. She would use her obvious good looks and refined tastes to sneak her way into high society. Turner might even fool one or two, even if the more experienced of the 1% would see right through her. Still, her schemes would succeed, and she'd soon find herself as the mistress of a powerful Wall Street investor.
Tom Raikes
Young and ambitious lawyer Tom Raikes is quickly making a name for himself in The Gilded Age's uber-exclusive society. After taking an immediate interest in the young Marian, Tom secures a job in New York and begins the long and arduous process of building an irable reputation.
Tom is hard-working, clever, resourceful, and undeterred, qualities that would help him succeed in nearly every situation. New York in 2022 is even more unforgiving than it was in the late 1980s, but Tom has everything at his disposal to make it work. He'd work his way up at a prestigious law firm, making Partner before his forties and achieving the lifestyle he always dreamed of having.
Peggy Scott
Miss Peggy Scott constantly defies societal norms in The Gilded Age. A gifted writer with great ambitions, Peggy isn't afraid of hard work and will take on any challenge that comes her way. She knows her worth and what she has to offer and won't sell herself short under any circumstance.
It wouldn't take long for Peggy to become a published author, even in 2022. She would build a strong resumé writing for numerous online publications and publishing short stories on her personal blog. Eventually, her work would attract the attention of a publisher, and her first book would be out before the decade ended.
George Russell
For all and purposes, George Russell is The Gilded Age's de-facto antagonist. He's the richest character in the show, a prototypical robber baron who will stop at nothing to cement his place in the rapidly-changing New York landscape.
George would be just as cunning and ruthless in 2022. He would probably be a Silicon Valley millionaire, using his vast influence to expand his sprawling empire. As he does in The Gilded Age, George would have no problem blackmailing and coercing others into doing his bid. George would probably never lose because he always has an ace under his sleeve, and he might even consider a presidential run at the 2024 elections.