

S1 Ep.1: “Never the New” with Lord Julian Fellowes and Christine Baranski
14 snips Jan 25, 2022
Lord Julian Fellowes and Christine Baranski join the podcast to discuss creating the vision for the show and bringing Aunt Agnes to life. They explore the wealth disparities and social hierarchy of Gilded Age New York, the challenges of filming a period drama, and the significant role of women in shaping society during that time.
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Gilded Age Definition
- The Gilded Age, a term coined by Mark Twain, describes the era of post-Civil War opulence in America.
- This period, spanning from the late 1860s to the turn of the century, was marked by immense wealth concentrated in a small minority.
Meaning of "Gilded"
- Twain's use of "gilded" highlights the superficiality of the era's wealth, contrasting it with a true "Golden Age."
- The term "gilded" implies a thin veneer of gold masking deeper social and economic issues.
Old vs. New Money
- 1880s New York society was divided between established "old money" families and the rising "new money" class.
- This division created social tension, exemplified by the Van Rhijns (old money) observing the Russells (new money) move into their neighborhood.