The Gilded Age is an American historical drama television series created and written by Julian Fellowes, set in the late 19th century during one of the most transformative periods in American history. Premiering on HBO, the show takes place in the 1880s in New York City, capturing the extravagance, ambition, and societal divisions of the Gilded Age, a time when the United States was experiencing rapid industrialization, economic growth, and stark social inequality.

The show focuses on the lives of the wealthy elite and the tensions between old-money families and newly rich industrialists. At its core, The Gilded Age explores the rise of social mobility and class conflict as the characters navigate a world that is rapidly changing due to economic prosperity and technological advancements. The Gilded Age itself, often characterized by extreme wealth on one hand and widespread poverty on the other, provides the perfect backdrop for a narrative that examines the complexity of human ambition, family loyalty, and social climbing.