HBO’s The Gilded Age is heading into Season 4 with fresh faces, shifting relationships and unresolved questions that could leave viewers wondering what comes next. As the period drama prepares to return, changes to its supporting cast have drawn attention to two characters whose stories have been closely tied to the show’s business rivalries and emotional conflicts.
A report published by Deadline on October 19, 2026, has revealed a significant development involving Richard Clay and T. Thomas Fortune. Their absence from the upcoming season raises questions about how the series will continue storylines connected to George Russell’s shooting and Peggy Scott’s complicated past.
The Gilded Age Season 4: Patrick Page and Sullivan Jones Are Not Returning
According to Deadline, Patrick Page and Sullivan Jones are not expected to appear in Season 4 of The Gilded Age. Page plays Richard Clay, the secretary of powerful industrialist George Russell, while Jones portrays T. Thomas Fortune, the newspaper publisher whose professional and personal relationships with Peggy Scott have shaped part of the drama.
Both characters have been part of the HBO series since its first season. Their stories have developed alongside the ambitions of New York’s wealthiest families, the fierce competition surrounding George Russell’s business interests and Peggy’s efforts to establish herself as a writer.
However, the reported casting changes do not necessarily mean that either character has been permanently written out. Future guest appearances remain possible, although no return has been confirmed.
The timing is particularly notable because Season 3 ended with developments that left questions surrounding George’s shooting and the direction of Peggy’s personal life. With the fourth season approaching, viewers will have to wait for further developments to learn how those stories progress.
Another Animated Series Casting Change
The Simpsons is bringing Apu back, with Sunil Malhotra taking over the character’s voice from Hank Azaria. For more details on the change, see our The Simpsons Apu casting report.
Why Patrick Page’s Richard Clay Became Entangled in George Russell’s Conflict
Patrick Page’s Richard Clay began as a recurring character in Season 1 before becoming a series regular in Season 2. Sullivan Jones received the same promotion for his role as Fortune. Both actors subsequently returned to recurring status in Season 3.
Clay’s importance to the drama grew through his professional association with George Russell, played by Morgan Spector. As George pursued increasingly ambitious business ventures, his secretary remained closely connected to the decisions and conflicts surrounding the industrialist.
That relationship deteriorated during Season 3.
Richard Clay’s Dismissal and the Rivalry That Followed
George fired Clay after he failed to close a major business deal. The dismissal marked a turning point for the secretary, who subsequently aligned himself with one of George’s leading rivals.
The move created additional tension between the former colleagues. Having once worked within George’s business operation, Clay became connected to the interests working against him.
The conflict took on greater significance toward the end of Season 3, when George was shot. The incident introduced a mystery surrounding the identity of the person responsible, and Clay emerged as a suspect.
That development left his storyline in a particularly uncertain position heading into the next season.
However, no confirmed information establishes that Richard Clay was responsible for George Russell’s shooting. His reported absence from Season 4 does not settle the mystery, and it would be inaccurate to treat the casting news as confirmation of his guilt.
Deadline has indicated that Page could potentially return for a guest appearance in a future season. For now, however, no such appearance has been confirmed.
Sullivan Jones’ T. Thomas Fortune and Peggy Scott’s Complicated Past
While Clay’s storyline centres on business rivalry and suspicion, Sullivan Jones’ T. Thomas Fortune has been closely connected to Peggy Scott’s professional development and personal relationships.
Fortune is the publisher of the New York Globe. Played by Denée Benton, Peggy initially worked under his guidance as she pursued her writing career, with Fortune serving as both her mentor and editor.
Their relationship became more complicated during Season 2, when Fortune pursued a romantic relationship with Peggy despite being married. The situation introduced tension into their professional association and complicated Peggy’s personal choices.
The consequences continued into Season 3, when Fortune assigned Peggy another out-of-town reporting opportunity.
The Confrontation That Changed Peggy’s Romantic Direction
Fortune attempted to accompany Peggy on the reporting assignment without being invited. Dr. William Kirkland, played by Jordan Donica, intervened, and the confrontation escalated into a fistfight between the two men.
Kirkland subsequently became Peggy’s romantic partner, and their relationship developed towards marriage.
This progression shifted Peggy’s personal storyline, placing her future with Kirkland at the centre of her romantic journey rather than her complicated connection with Fortune.
According to Deadline’s report, Jones is not expected to return as Fortune in Season 4. Nevertheless, the casting development does not establish that Fortune’s role in Peggy’s life has been permanently concluded.
A future guest appearance remains possible, but no official return has been confirmed.
The Gilded Age Season 4 Cast: Who Is Joining the HBO Drama?
The reported departures come as the series introduces a substantial group of new performers. Deadline reported that Season 4 will add Taylor Trensch, James Scully, Dennis Haysbert, Maggie Kuntz, Neal Huff, Bonnie Milligan, Jim Gaffigan, Dallas Roberts, Andrew Burnap, Elizabeth Marvel and Adrienne Warren.
Their reported character roles are as follows:
| Actor | Character |
| Taylor Trensch | Oliver |
| James Scully | Lee Klein |
| Dennis Haysbert | Dr. Reginald Harris |
| Maggie Kuntz | Fiona Summers |
| Neal Huff | John D. Rockefeller |
| Bonnie Milligan | Knapp Curtis |
| Jim Gaffigan | President Grover Cleveland |
| Dallas Roberts | Daniel Manning |
| Andrew Burnap | Porter |
| Elizabeth Marvel | Nurse Virginia Saville |
| Adrienne Warren | Ava |
These additions will expand the ensemble as the series continues to explore the social ambitions, family disputes and business rivalries of late-19th-century New York.
The returning cast includes Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell, Morgan Spector as George Russell, Christine Baranski as Agnes van Rhijn, Cynthia Nixon as Ada Forte, Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook, Denée Benton as Peggy Scott and Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell, now the Duchess of Buckingham.
Other returning performers listed for Season 4 include Harry Richardson, Blake Ritson, Ben Ahlers, Ashlie Atkinson, Dylan Baker, Kelley Curran, Jordan Donica, Jessica Frances Dukes, Amy Forsyth, Jack Gilpin, Simon Jones, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Ben Lamb, Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Debra Monk, Hattie Morahan, Donna Murphy, Kristine Nielsen, Kelli O’Hara, Taylor Richardson, Douglas Sills, Erin Wilhelmi and John Douglas Thompson, alongside Bill Camp and Phylicia Rashad.
The expanded cast gives the drama more characters through whom it can examine the competing interests of established New York families, newly wealthy figures and influential historical personalities.
What HBO’s Official Season 4 Trailer Reveals
HBO released the official Season 4 trailer on October 13, 2026. The promotional material points towards a new chapter shaped by the consequences of Bertha Russell’s rise in New York society.
HBO’s official season description states:
“Bertha Russell changed Society at a cost. Now, her family must reckon with the consequences as Agnes van Rhijn seizes an opportunity to regain her position. Meanwhile, Marian forges a new path for herself, and Peggy works to be accepted by her future in-laws. In this new era, you must be careful what you wish for.”
The description outlines several of the season’s central storylines. Bertha’s social ambitions have consequences for her family, while Agnes sees an opportunity to restore her standing. Marian pursues a new direction for herself, and Peggy faces the challenge of gaining acceptance from her future husband’s family.
The trailer has also prompted discussion about Gladys Russell, who was not featured in the main promotional trailer. However, Farmiga appears in the listed returning cast, and Gladys was briefly featured in the first Season 4 teaser.
Her absence from the main trailer is therefore not evidence that the character has been removed from the season. Further details about individual appearances should be distinguished from information explicitly confirmed by HBO.
The promotional material also highlights continuing tensions involving the Russell family and New York’s established elite, suggesting that the consequences of social ambition will remain central to the drama.
The Gilded Age Season 4 Premiere Date, Time and Streaming Details
For viewers waiting to return to the world of The Gilded Age, HBO has confirmed the upcoming season’s premiere details.
| Detail | Official information |
| Series | The Gilded Age |
| Season | Season 4 |
| Premiere date | Sunday, November 1, 2026 |
| Premiere time | 9 p.m. ET/PT |
| Television network | HBO |
| Streaming platform | HBO Max |
| Episode count | Eight episodes |
Created by Julian Fellowes, The Gilded Age is a historical drama set in late-19th-century New York. The series follows the competing ambitions of wealthy families and the tensions between established fortunes and newly rich industrialists.
Fellowes serves as creator, writer and executive producer. Salli Richardson-Whitfield is also a director and executive producer, while Sonja Warfield serves as a writer and executive producer. Other executive producers include Gareth Neame, David Crockett, Bob Greenblatt, Kate Churchill, Davita Scarlett and Elaine Aronson. Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Holly Rymon serve as co-executive producers.
The series is a co-production between HBO and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
More on a Familiar TV Franchise
Marshals continues the Yellowstone universe with Jimmy returning in Season 2 and Kayce Dutton seeking his help. Explore our Yellowstone Jimmy and Marshals Season 2 report.
Conclusion: What the Season 4 Cast Changes Mean for The Gilded Age
The reported absence of Patrick Page and Sullivan Jones marks a notable change ahead of The Gilded Age Season 4. Richard Clay’s connection to George Russell’s business conflicts and the mystery surrounding the industrialist’s shooting remains unresolved, while T. Thomas Fortune’s complicated history with Peggy Scott forms part of the drama’s earlier relationship storyline.
Although neither actor is expected to appear in the upcoming season, Deadline’s report leaves open the possibility of future guest appearances. No return has been officially confirmed, and neither character’s reported absence establishes a definitive conclusion to their story.
With new performers joining the ensemble and HBO highlighting the consequences of Bertha Russell’s rise, the fourth season will continue exploring ambition, relationships and social power. The Gilded Age Season 4 premieres Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max.
Source and Research Disclaimer: This article has been prepared based on the reports and official information identified in the sources below. It reflects the information available as of October 20, 2026, and does not imply independent verification beyond the supplied material. Further casting announcements or updates may be issued later.
Sources
- Deadline: ‘The Gilded Age’: 2 Supporting Characters Not Returning For Season 4 — October 19, 2026.
- HBO / Warner Bros. Discovery Pressroom: Official HBO pressroom — Season 4 trailer announcement, October 13, 2026.
- HBO: The Gilded Age official series page — Series information.
- Warner Bros. Discovery: HBO renews original drama series The Gilded Age for a fourth season — July 28, 2025.
Featured Image Credit: HBO / Max
Leave a Reply