Top 10 Things The Gilded Age Gets Factually Right & Wrong

How much did "The Gilded Age" get right and wrong? For this list, we’ll be looking at events and plot points from this HBO period drama that are historically accurate, as well as the creative liberties taken by creator and writer Julian Fellowes. Our countdown includes the Statue of Liberty’s hand, “Downstairs” Happenings, a thriving Black elite, and more! What do YOU think of "The Gilded Age?" Let us know in the comments!

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MsMojo is a leading producer of reference online video content of Top 10 Lists, Origins, Biographies, Commentary and more on Pop Culture, Celebrity, Movies, Music, TV, Film, Video Games, Politics, News, Comics, Superheroes. Your trusted authority on ranking Pop Culture.

#TheGildedAge #HBO #History #JulianFellowes #CarrieCoon

[MsMojo]

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[Agent_Kitty_Explores]

I loved the costumes, the houses, the headstrong Mrs. Russell, and of course the portrayal of a female, African American in a different light other than poor and uneducated 👏👏👏

[melodyarobinson]

I love this show. The way they talk, snide but disguised as a compliment, the clothes and homes. The air of anyone can make it in this time period. The true showing of prominent black society.

[meadowsanddawn]

About the fact that we didn't see the servants doing the more manual work, is simply because the show focuses on a group of servant characters who occupy a higher position in the service hierarchy. The butler, housekeeper, footman, cook and head housemaid are not the ones who do the washing and the menial work. There must be other servants that weren't shown on screen yet.

[theorderofthebees]

I truly enjoyed the show - seeing a Black American Woman in the late 1800’s that was upper class dark skin was such a treat . More please.

[claybyrd]

I read that the Van Rhijn family is Quaker in The Gilded Age. If so, Agnes would have had a more modern perspective on race and racism than the general population. That makes it more reasonable that she should hire Peggy.

[davidnorman]

As this show doesn't include ghosts, vampires, werewolves, aliens, monsters, or space travel I wouldn't usually watch it. But for some reason I did, and I loved it. Christine Baranski is rare form. It's in one of those shows where you absolutely hate some (all?) characters, but absolutely love them at the same time.

[marimullan]

Love, love, love this show! I hope Marion Brtoks & Larry Russell are the next couple.

[HaleyRadiant]

I know not a lot of people find this show “exciting” or arguably “good, ” but watching this show every Monday w/ my mom has been such a highlight of my year so far! It’s entertaining, educational & overall a good distraction from all the misery of everything happening in the world. & if something like that gives you healthy joy & distraction, what’s wrong w/ that? ☺️🎩❤️

[KandeShack]

I really love this show!! I love all the theatre actors! It’s also a joy to watch my wonderful and talented friend Claybourne Elder as John Adams!

[jelsner]

I spotted a glaring mistake: in one episode, the Russells have a luncheon that was supposed to be overseen by the English butler, because he was supposed to be better-versed in British etiquette. Then they show the luncheon table and it had a whole bunch of lit candles on it --at a daytime event. The butler should have caught that faux pas. The florist who styled the event should have known better. Julian Fellows should have caught it, since he is supposed to be a stickler for detail. I also spied several flower varieties throughout the series which did not exist in the 19th century.

[sandythompson]

I like the singled-minded tenacity of Mrs. Russell (Vanderbilt).

[ItsJustLisa]

Anderson Cooper was profiled on 60 Minutes a few months ago after writing a book about his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, and her family heritage. What I found most amusing was that the first Vanderbilts did come to New Netherland (now New York) from the Netherlands at least 40 years before the Revolution and that Cornelius made his money first in the 1840s with steamships. He then made an additional fortune in railroads in the 1860s and 70s. His son had continued to make money, but died only 7 years after his father.

It was the grandsons and their wives that went spend-happy after Granddad and Dad died (1877 and 1884). They built elaborate mansions and spent money without caring about continuing to make it. And in all of that, THEY were considered the “new money”. Ironic since they’re lineage had been in the NYC area for almost 150 years, just like the “old money”, and that many of the fortunes made by other families surely had depended on Cornelius’ steamships and railroads.

[adrienneardoinpoole]

I just binged the entire first season! I loved it! Especially loved the Peggy Scott character and story line.

[marie]

I LOVE the opening theme music of the show! It's perfect!

[cowboynyc]

For Agnes to hire Peggy as a social secretary would indeed have been unusual. But then, Agnes was an unusual woman. As a member of Old New York society, she embraced her responsibilities as much as her privileges. Her openness toward Peggy anticipates her generosity toward Jack when he needs money for a patent application.

[xxrowtravexx]

No mention of how the Russells are based from the real life Vanderbilt family?

[r.c.]

I ADORE this show! I love all of the characters…it’s so glamorous and beautifully done! I love how all of the women are dressed so feminine and classy!! I’ve always loved watching documentaries about 1800/early 1900’s New York. This show captures all of my wildest imagination about that era perfectly! 🥰 #favoriteshow

[marthawood]

I'm so enthralled with this show! There are some historical inaccuracies, but it's still incredibly enjoyable!

[jonahfalcon]

I was a street sweeper, you can see me in two episodes. They had me unshaven, puffing a cigarette. My job was to keep those streets clean!