The Gilded Ageis a period drama TV show that’s been making waves, but it’s far from the only series starring Christine Baranski that deserves our attention. As one of the principal players inThe Good Fight, Baranski plays Agnes van Rhijn, a staunch and unyielding member of the old-money contingent in the upper echelon of New York City. Frequently coming into contact with the brash, new-money interloper, Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon), Agnes doesn’t shy away from a fight and uses all her tricks to maintain the status quo.
The Gilded Ageseason 3is fast approaching, but there’s still time to get even more of Baranski ahead of the premiere.Shows likeThe Gilded Agecome in many forms, and while not all of Baranski’s other work has fallen into the period drama genre, it’s not uncommon for her to take on the role of a strong female character in her TV shows and movies. However,Baranski always brings something new to each performance, whether this is the formidable Agnes or the skilled attorney Diane Lockhart inThe Good Fight.
Her Work In The Good Fight Is Unforgettable
A spinoff of the 2009 dramaThe Good Wife,The Good Fightpremiered in 2017 and pushes the premise of the original series even further. Baranski stars as Diane Lockhart, an attorney who is forced to climb through the ranks of a new firm in Chicago after her protégée is caught up in a scandal, throwing both their careers off track. Whilethe ensemble as a whole is what makesThe Good Fightso funto watch, Baranski is a key piece of this, lending authority and self-assuredness to the series as it navigates its place in the TV landscape.
Audra McDonald joined the cast ofThe Good Fightin season 2as Liz Reddick, and her chemistry with Baranski demonstrates what makes the series compelling. While there are plenty of personal dramas that keep the show moving, the characters at the firm are all genuinely dedicated to their cause, allowingThe Good Fightto provide nuanced social commentary. Baranski’s character pushes herself not only to be a great lawyer but also an agent of change in the legal world.
Why Diane Lockhart Is Even Fiercer Than Agnes Van Rhijn
Diane Lockhart Is Fighting A More Noble Battle Than Agnes
Agnes is a fearsome character, but in some ways, she’s a bit of a villain inThe Gilded Age.Agnes represents the old guard and wants to maintain outdated social structuresand values whenThe Gilded Agebegins. However, the series does a great job of humanizing her and demonstrating the parts of her personality that are open to change, even if this can be slow going. On the other hand, Diane is a fighter from the beginning ofThe Good Fight, as the name suggests.
Diane gets to be more forceful and isn’t cowed by the traditionalist expectations that Agnes faces.
As an attorney, it’s part of Diane’s daily life that she comes into conflict with others and pushes back against injustice, especially at her law firm, which takes on many cases relating to social justice. There’s nothing she won’t do for the people she loves, and she would never back down from a challenge as she places herself firmly on the right side of the big issues facing the contemporary world. Additionally, sinceThe Good Fightis set today, Diane gets to be more forceful and isn’t cowed by the traditionalist expectations that Agnes faces.
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The Good Fight Is The Definition Of A Perfect Spinoff
It Pushes The Premise Of The Good Fight While Paying Tribute To Its Work
Crafting the right spinoff is one of the most difficultparts of creating a franchise. WhileThe Good Wifewas enormously popular, this didn’t mean thatThe Good Fightwould be as successful. However, the spinoff was careful to take the world created byThe Good Wifeand examine it through another lens. It has enough in common withThe Good Wifeto draw audiences into the world, but it takes the stories and makes them unique, distinguishing itself and standing on its own merits.
The Good Fightwas popular enough to warrant an additional spinoff within the story’s world,Elsbeth.Elsbethcould also be aperfect spinoff ofThe Good Wife, but it has yet to beatThe Good Fightin terms of being the true successor to the original legal drama.The Gilded Agemight not have the legal ups and downs or crime elements, but the focus on strong female characters carries through all these works. Part of this is likely because Baranski seeks out exciting projects that allow her to showcase what a force of nature she is onscreen.
