Caroline Astor’s husband, William Backhouse Astor, Jr., does not appear in Season 1 of The Gilded Age and that’s exactly why Julian Fellowes gets him right. Her husband preferred to be anywhere Caroline Astor wasn’t, which was a relief to Caroline because he tended to upset her perfectly orchestrated social events by treating guests rudely…. [Read More]
Characters Julian Fellowes’ Gilded Age Gets Right: William Backhouse Astor, Jr.
November 21, 2023 By
Characters Julian Fellowes’ Gilded Age Gets Wrong: Ward McAllister
October 27, 2023 By
In Season 1 of The Gilded Age, Ward McAllister appears to be a beneficent grandfather-figure who helps Bertha Russell after she’s been socially snubbed. A social climber himself who had gained entrance to High Society by ingratiating himself to Caroline Astor, McAllister did help the Vanderbilts, among others, into the same elite company he’d cajoled… [Read More]
Characters Julian Fellowes’ Gilded Age Gets Right: Mamie Fish
October 2, 2023 By
Like Caroline Astor, Mamie Fish was part of Old New York Society and looked down on the new-money climbers. When Mamie built a new home at 78th and Madison Avenue, she instructed the architect to create a ballroom that would make a person who was not well bred feel uncomfortable. Fellowes captures this aspect of… [Read More]
Characters Julian Fellowes’ Gilded Age Gets Right: Caroline Astor
August 15, 2023 By
Julian Fellowes’ portrayal of Caroline Astor is, in my opinion, spot on. Mrs. Astor’s self-appointed mission is to prevent the gates of Old New York Society from being breeched by crass new-money millionaires. Two key attributes give her the power she needs to pursue her mission: She possesses the three distinguishing characteristics of the Old… [Read More]