‘The Gilded Age’: 7 of the Show’s Pettiest Characters, Ranked
Spoiler Alert
The Gilded Age is all about the upstairs and downstairs drama on HBO, and while everyone is guilty of stirring up a little chaos, there are a select few who know how to turn the metaphorical knife just right.
Whether it’s making grand gestures to embarrass others or leaving individuals out of inner-circle gatherings with the intent of keeping statuses down, The Gilded Age‘s many characters can be ruthless when they want to be. Below, we’re reflecting on some of the pettiest characters and ranking them based on their action over trivial matters.
(Credit: HBO)
7. Oscar Van Rhijn (Blake Ritson)
The son of Agnes (Christine Baranski), Oscar lives a double life in high society, enjoying private time with his lover during the evening hours and calculating his latest plan to secure a match with the city’s richest prospect. When he backs down from pursuing Gladys Russell (Taissa Farmiga), he realizes the error in his ways and employs the work of Turner (Kelley Curran) to be his spy inside the Russell house. While calculated, he isn’t exactly the pettiest individual viewers have come across in the series, landing him at the back of this ranked pack.
6. Turner (Kelley Curran)
A servant in the Russell house, Turner has her sights set on Mr. Russell (Morgan Spector), but he’s not falling for her advances. Already her frustrations have come into question by the rest of the staff, and now that she’s getting involved in Mr. Van Rhijn’s scheming, it’s clear she doesn’t take the rejection lightly, proving that it’s not just the rich who are petty.
(Credit: HBO)
5. George Russell (Morgan Spector)
George Russell can be petty for sure, but mostly in the name of love and business. Along with being outcasts within society for their “new money” status, the Russells are also able to manipulate and mess with others through business means. Whether it’s buying up all the stock at a charity sale or squandering portions of his own fortune to get even with his colleagues, George doesn’t back down from a fight.
4. Aurora Fane (Kelli O’Hara)
Agnes’ niece by marriage, Aurora Fane (Kelli O’Hara) was initially petty about including Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon) in any of the womens’ social activities or events, but she wised up following the death of Mr. Morris (Michel Gill) when her own husband chided her for her petty behavior for fear they’d end up in a similar predicament as the Morris’.
(Credit: HBO)
3. Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski)
Perhaps Agnes isn’t as petty as she is snooty, but her eagerness to exclude anyone from her home or circle due to their status is not so nice. Whether it’s judging niece Marian’s (Louisa Jacobson) choices in a potential suitor or friends around town, Agnes is more than willing to stick her nose in other peoples’ business if she deems fit. Her words can be cutting, which lands her in a top spot among some of the show’s pettiest.
2. Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon)
There’s only one thing keeping this Queen Bee of pettiness from the top spot and it’s her willingness to work with others. Sure, Bertha can be extremely petty, getting her husband George involved when things don’t go her way, but she’s just trying to climb the social ladder. Perhaps, a little acceptance could keep her from behaving so badly?
1. Anne Morris (Katie Finneran)
Pettiness got the best of Mrs. Morris (Katie Finneran) who lands in the top spot due to her stubbornness against Bertha. Anne’s unwillingness to include Bertha for the sake of social standing is just one of the contributing factor’s to her husband’s suicide, proving that pettiness doesn’t pay off.
Let us know what you think of this ranking and whether or not others should be included in the comments section, below.
The Gilded Age, Season 1, Mondays, 9/8c, HBO
Christine Baranski
Cynthia Nixon
Carrie Coon
Morgan Spector
Denée Benton
Louisa Jacobson
Taissa Farmiga
Blake Ritson
Simon Jones
Harry Richardson
Jack Gilpin
Ben Ahlers
Michael Cerveris
Celia Keenan-Bolger
Debra Monk
Donna Murphy
Kristine Nielsen
Kelli O'Hara
Patrick Page
Taylor Richardson
Douglas Sills
John Douglas Thompson
Erin Wilhelmi
Kelley Curran
Sullivan Jones
Nicole Brydon Bloom
Ashlie Atkinson
David Furr
Ward Horton
⨁Full Cast & Crew
Conversation13 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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R
Because she isn't petty. She is very sensible.
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R
Agnes is by far the pettiest! Do you not remember her response to Ada's asking about money when she dies: I'll out live you! She constantly has snide and underhanded comments for nearly everyone except Peggy and Oscar. I don't think you really understand what pettiness is.
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C
Why would they rank her is PETTY .. it’s the seven PETTIEST characters.. damn man
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C
All of them witches are petty, humorless and boring. Poor little Gladys, the only likeable character upstairs. And Adelheid downstairs
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G
Armstrong for sure. You can understand why considering her family but still no excuse to be so mean.
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B
I read the article as "the preetiest" and couldn't understand the ranking! �
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Couldn't understand why Oscar and Agnes were on the list🤣oh boy... I'll go reread it
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R
Why isn't Marian in the first place? She is the worst character in the series, constantly disrespects her aunts who took her in, even in the last episode she ruins her friends birthday and then goes to enjoy opera with no remorse. Horrid horrid person and the actress is terrible as well.
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G
You might not like the character of Marian, but the actress who portrays her, Louisa Jacobson Gummer, is a great actress. She is a graduate of Vassar College with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, and the Yale School of Drama with a Master of Fine Arts in Acting. She is also the youngest daughter of Meryl Streeps and Dom Gummer.
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G
She’s a horrible actress. Her older sister is too.
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C
So what?
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R
I do not think Jacobson is a good actress. Her voice has no textures; it’s monotonous. Her many head-tilts also distract, add nothing. Unfortunate casting.
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G
Yes, I knew that she was Merlyl Streep's daughter. It is difficult to judge her acting in this series. I am not impressed. The only one I like thus far is Oliver.
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O
She went to Vassar and Yale because her mother has the money to get her in. I am not that impressed with her acting so far.
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