The Gilded Age Has A Secret Downton Abbey Connection
Warning: SPOILERS for The Gilded Age Episode 1 — «Never The New»
Beyond the fact that both period dramas were created by Julian Fellowes, HBO's The Gilded Age has a secret Downton Abbey connection hiding in plain sight. Set in 1882 New York City, The Gilded Age centers on a struggle for social supremacy between «Old New York,» embodied by Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski), and the «new money» of railroad tycoon George Russell (Morgan Spector) and his ambitious wife Bertha (Carrie Coon). Like Downton Abbey, opulent wealth and splendor are on display in The Gilded Age, and the central conflict over who will ultimately rule New York high society also holds up a mirror to present-day life.
Another similarity between Downton Abbey and The Gilded Age is both series feature juicy tales of upstairs/downstairs intrigue. The indomitable servants of Downton Abbey like the butler, Mr. Carson (Jim Carter), plucky assistant cook Daisy (Sophie McShera), and the troubled romance of the valet Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle) and Anna the lady's maid (Joanne Froggatt) are just as crucial to the show's success and popularity as the Crawley family. The Gilded Age also showcases two sets of servants who toil in the homes of Agnes van Rhihn and the Russells, who built a magnificent palatial estate directly across the street from Agnes' stately townhouse. Like Downton's loyal downstairs cast, the servants of the van Rhijns and the Russells dream of better lives for themselves while knowing they can never match the extravagant wealth of the people they work for.
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If Mr. Bannister, the elegant butler of Mrs. van Rhijn, appears familiar to Downton Abbey fans, that's
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