HBO's The Gilded Age is about to reach its midpoint, and the plot surrounding the lives of upper-crust New Yorkers is advancing smoothly. By now, audiences are already familiar with the show's large ensemble of characters. Some, like Bertha Russell, are more prominent than others, but all are equally engaging; however, they're not all as likable.
Indeed, The Gilded Age includes a few characters that immediately stand out as the most relatable and pleasant. Whether because of their affable personalities, command of the screen, or inspiring and bold choices that have turned late-19th century society on its head, these figures are the show's most likable and will certainly become fan favorites.
Oscar Van Rhijn
Oscar is Agnes' only son, a closeted gay man desperate to find a wife. He sets his eyes on the young Gladys Russell and begins sneaking into the Russell household. Oscar's story should be compelling — a gay man trying to survive in the ruthless society of late 19th century New York. However, The Gilded Age focuses too much on what makes Oscar unappealing, thus turning him into a bit of a creep.
Actor Blake Ritson deserves a lot of credit, as he plays up Oscar's charm and hilarity and prevents the character from looking like a total sleaze. However, The Gilded Age seems unclear about whether Oscar is a hero or an antagonist. Perhaps he's a bit of both, but only time will tell.
George Russell
George Russell is The Gilded Age's most powerful character by far. Filthy rich and influential, George is leading the "new money" movement that's shaking New York City, and he isn't afraid to flaunt his wealth and success. As a classic robber baron, he is shameless in his ambition and willing to cross every line to get his way.
Many of George's actions are morally reprehensible, and his all-consuming ambition hints that he might eventually go down an even darker path. his one redeeming quality is his sincere devotion to his family, particularly his wife, Bertha. Still, for all intents and purposes, George is the show's main antagonist, even if Morgan Spector's considerable charm fools audiences into thinking otherwise.
Bertha Russell
For years, the ever underrated Carrie Coon remained unrecognized for playing one of the best characters in HBO's The Leftovers. However, her career has since taken off, and The Gilded Age finally puts her front and center. Coon plays Bertha Russell, George's formidable wife who's determined to make a name for herself among New York's notoriously snobbish society.
Bertha is straightforward, unabashedly ambitious, and steely. She knows how much her immense wealth means and isn't afraid to flaunt it to get what she wants. Bertha can sometimes seem overly cold and calculative, but her behavior is understandable considering the situation she faces. Sure, she can sometimes be unlikeable, but it's still a pleasure to see Coon chew the scenery.
Agnes Van Rhijn
Television icon Christine Baranski — known by audiences as Leonard's awful mother in The Big Bang Theory and fierce lawyer Diane Lockhart in The Good Wife and The Good Fight — plays Agnes van Rhijn in The Gilded Age. She's the matriarch of the family, a respected figure from "old money" who staunchly disapproves of the up-and-coming wealthy families like the Russells.
Behind Agnes' veneer of cold detachment lies a surprisingly caring woman who genuinely wants the best for those she loves. Her ways might not be ideal, but there's no arguing against her logic, especially considering the rigid societal rules. She might seem uncaring and stoic, but she's had several moments of warmth, confirming there's more to her than meets the eye.
Tom Raikes
Tom Raikes is the young and promising lawyer who takes care of Marian's affairs after her father's passing. He is obviously smitten with her and goes out of his way to secure a place in New York, beginning to climb the ladder to become someone worthy of her hand.
Charming and seemingly good-hearted, Tom functions in high society with ease. He's still not a worthy suitor for Marian in the eyes of Aunt Agnes, but his undeniable skill hints that he'll make a name for himself sooner or later. Tom's intentions seem sincere and his affection for Marian genuine, effectively cementing him as the show's romantic leading man and an extremely likable one, indeed.
Marian Brook
Tom's counterpart, The Gilded Age's de-facto romantic leading lady, has to be Marian Brook, a spirited young woman reeling from her father's death. She tries to make the best out of her new living conditions and seems determined to break away from old New York's strict and constricting rules.
Marian is very much a prototypical protagonist; she's hopeful even in uncertainty, daring, and innocent yet capable of standing her ground. She's also a very likable character, even if she sometimes commits some truly egregious errors in judgment. However, Marian is one of the show's most sympathetic figures, and actor Louisa Jacobson certainly makes the most of it.
Larry & Gladys Russell
The Russell siblings have received surprisingly minimal air time so far. However, what little attention they receive in each episode is enough to confirm them as two of the most likable characters in the show. Larry is mature enough to understand their position in society but still clever enough to know things are changing. For her part, Gladys is desperate to grow up, but she doesn't defy or challenge her parents, instead preferring to behave sensibly.
The show could easily use Larry and Gladys as tools to incite rebellion and create conflict. Instead, it actively avoids going down such paths and utilizes them as ways to humanize George and Bertha, who at times veer dangerously close to becoming unlikable. However, Larry and Gladys balance things out, thanks largely to Harry Richardson and Taissa Farmiga's youthful and wide-eyed performances.
Ada Brook
Recently wrapped Sex and the City revival And Just Like That left many unanswered questions, but fans can still enjoy Cynthia Nixon's considerable talents. The Tony and Emmy award-winning actor plays Ada Brook in The Gilded Age, proving why she's one of the most celebrated and versatile actresses of her generation.
Ada is Agnes' kind and innocent younger sister. There's an air of tragedy to her character, but both Nixon and the show itself refuse to portray Ada as an outright victim. Instead, Ada comes off as cheerful, always willing to believe the best in people. She's the most sensible inhabitant at the van Rhijn house, acting as a middlewoman between the stubborn Agnes and the spirited Marian. It's easy for audiences to root for Ada, and thanks to Nixon's warm and earnest performance, the character quickly becomes one of the show's most likable.
Peggy Scott
Peggy is one of The Gilded Age's most intriguing characters. Technically, she isn't part of the downstairs crowd, despite living in the servants' quarters at the van Rhijn house. Instead, she comes from a wealthy family from Brooklyn but refuses to live with them because her father doesn't support her writing ambitions.
It doesn't make much difference where she's staying because Peggy is the show's most likable character. She's determined to make a name for herself because she knows her talent's worth. Peggy is strong but kind, resilient yet vulnerable; in other words, Peggy is the perfect heroine, and the show utilizes her expertly. Her storyline is compelling, and thanks to Denée Benton's irresistible performance, she stands out as The Gilded Age's best character.