The hit HBO period drama,The Gilded Age, just hit a major viewership record halfway through season 3.The Gilded Ageis in its third season and continues to prove that costume andhistorical dramas are as popular as ever, and your show doesn’t need to be titledBridgertonfor viewers to check it out.
The Gilded Age, a series about the moneyed Americans of the late 19th century, premiered its third season on August 01, 2025.The fifth episode, “A Different World”, aired on HBO on July 20 and reached 4 million viewers in Live+3 viewing, which is a rating that counts the live viewership and viewership over the next three days (viaVariety).
That viewership beat the previous series high, which was set a week earlier with episode 4, “Marriage is a Gamble,“which had 3.8 million viewers. Altogether, this season ofThe Gilded Ageis outperforming season 2 by 20% and there are still three more episodes to go in the season.
What These Viewership Ratings Mean For The Gilded Age
The Gilded Agehas always received positive critical acclaim, with season 1 earning a 79% onRotten Tomatoesand season 2 jumping up to a 94%. The show has also earned three Emmy nominations and a SAG nomination. However, it still never had strong viewership.
These ratings are much more in line with what the series has always been deserving of. Sometimes it simply takes a season or two for a show to find its footing and begin gaining traction in the way it should. Even if a series premieres on HBO, there’s no guarantee people will flock to it.
In another world,The Gilded Agecould have beenone of the many shows cut too earlybecause it did not have the viewers, despite receiving the praise. However,HBO must have known the show was worth pursuing when they ordered another season, and now they’re being rewarded for their foresight.
Our Take On The Gilded Age’s Viewership Rating
The Gilded Age Has Always Deserved These Viewership Numbers
The Gilded Ageis an exceptional series. Even with a debut season that struggles a bit,it’s still a highly entertaining entrance into a world not very often put on the screen. The series has impeccable production design and impressive costuming that make every shot of the series a visual treat.
What’s more, the ensemble cast, which includes Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Louisa Jacobson, and Denée Benton, is fantastic in their respective roles.The Gilded Ageshould have had high viewership numbers since it premiered, so it’s satisfying to see it get the recognition it deserves.
