Warning: SPOILERS For The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 7 - “Ex-Communicated"The Gilded Ageseason 3’s reveal of who leaked Bertha Russell’s (Carrie Coon) secrets to New York’s newspapers continues a similar trope fromDownton Abbey. Bertha plotted throughoutThe Gilded Ageto marry her daughter, Gladys (Taissa Farmiga), to Hector, Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb). This, and the Russell family’s other activities, were regularly printed in gossip columns.
InThe Gilded Ageseason 3, episode 7, the Russells' household staff unmasked the leaker:The perpetrator was Miss André (Rachel Pickup), Bertha’s new lady’s maid. While Miss André had no animosity towards the Russells, the French maid couldn’t resist the continual profit of $40 for each detail about her employers she leaked to the press.
The Gilded Age’s creator, Julian Fellowes, is finding similar success with his hit HBO series as he enjoyed with his worldwide phenomenon,Downton Abbey. ThoughThe Gilded Age’s sensibilities reflect its America in the 1880s setting, Fellowes occasionally draws parallels toDowntonand relies upon familiar tropes, such asproblems his protagonists have with their lady’s maids.
Bertha’s Enemies In The Gilded Age Repeats Cora Crowley’s Downton Abbey Trope
Cora Was Seriously Harmed By Miss O’Brien
Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern) could certainly relate to Bertha Russell’s lady’s maid woes. InDownton Abbey’s first 3 seasons, Cora’s lady’s maid was Miss O’Brien (Siobhan Finneran), a schemer who resented the Countess of Grantham. O’Brien even caused Cora to trip on a bar of soap,forcing Lady Grantham to suffer a miscarriage.
When O’Brien abandoned the Crawleys at the start ofDownton Abbeyseason 4, her replacement was, briefly, Edna Braithwaite (MyAnna Buring). While Lady Grantham was pleased with Braithwaite, her new lady’s maidsecretly plotted to fake a pregnancy to force Tom Branson (Allen Leech) to marry her.Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan) learned of Braithwaite’s scheme and sent her packing.
Finally, Braithwaite was replaced by Phyllis Baxter (Rachel Cassidy), who was planted as a spy by Thomas Barrow (Robert James-Collier). Baxter spent time in prison for stealing from her previous employer, a fact she confessed to Lady Grantham. However,Baxter ultimately earned Cora’s trustand remains her lady’s maid throughout theDownton Abbeymovies.
Bertha Needs A Good Lady’s Maid Like Cora Found In Baxter
Despite Cora Crawley’s repeated issues with finding a trustworthy lady’s maid, Lady Grantham ultimately found a gem in Miss Baxter. Bertha Russell could use similar good fortune inThe Gilded Age.Miss André is now the second traitor in three seasons ofThe Gilded Agewho has found her way into Bertha’s intimate dwelling and betrayed her employer.
Bertha’s previous lady’s maid was Enid Turner (Kelley Curran), who openly resented Mrs. Russell and plotted to seduce her millionaire husband, George Russell (Morgan Spector). After Turner was fired, she married the elderly but wealthy Joshua Winterton (Dakin Matthews) and rose up in society as Mrs. Winterton. This placedEnid as a rival to Bertha in New York society.
Thankfully, HBO has renewedThe Gilded Agefor season 4, and with new episodes must come a new lady’s maid for Bertha Russell. Here’s hoping that, like Cora Crawley inDownton Abbey,the third time will be the charm for Bertha.
The Gilded Age
Cast
The Gilded Age, set in 1882 during a time of economic prosperity, follows Marian Brook, an orphaned Southern general’s daughter, as she moves to New York City. She navigates society’s complexities with her aunts and Peggy Scott, an African-American masquerading as her maid, amidst the city’s opulent elite.
Downton Abbey
Set in the early 20th century, Downton Abbey follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the fictional Yorkshire estate. The series explores themes of social change, romance, and intrigue against the backdrop of historical events, including the sinking of the Titanic, World War I, and the rise of the working class.
