HBO Max’s period dramaThe Gilded Agehas built up quite a fan base across its first two seasons, but Apple TV+ has a similar series that appeals to the same audiences.Set in the time period of the same name,The Gilded Agecenters on wealthy families on the Upper East Side of Manhattan vying for power. The series primarily revolves around the battles between the old money and the new money class, who seek to gain entrance into high society, creating entertaining drama and giving audiences a look at their lavish lifestyles.
The Gilded Ageseason 2 saw a lot of changes occur, from Bertha (Carrie Coon) winning the Opera War to Ada (Cynthia Nixon) becoming the new head of the van Rhijn-Brook household. These significant upheavals of the reigning social structure have already set season 3 up to be the most exciting yet, andThe Gilded Age’s stellar early ratingsprove that this ambitious leap has paid off for the show’s creators. While the great reviews and promise of new drama are already encouraging enough,Apple TV+’s period drama is returning this week too,creating the perfect pairing.
The Gilded Age & The Buccaneers Are Both Acclaimed High Society Shows Set In The Same Time Period
The Rules Of The Gilded Age Are Transported To A New Location
Much likeThe Gilded Age,The Buccaneersis set during the Gilded Agetime period but primarily takes place in the old world rather than the new. Based on Edith Wharton’s unfinished novel of the same name, the series follows a group of young women who travel from America to England in order to find husbands. The young women belong to the new money class, but they are seeking English men who have land and titles to legitimize their own status. Much like the Duke (Ben Lamb) inThe Gilded Age, some of the English men the women encounter are seeking their wealth in return.
Both series have a strong focus on the rules of high society during the Gilded Age and the lengths that young women must go to in order to be accepted by said society.
While the focus ofThe Buccaneersis on slightly younger characters than inThe Gilded Age, many of the same societal complications and clashes arise in both dramas. Both series have a strong focus on the rules of high society during the Gilded Age and the lengths that young women must go to in order to be accepted by said society. Additionally,The Buccaneerstakes an insightful and youthful approach to exploring gender rolesduring the era through the main characters.
BothThe Gilded AgeandThe Buccaneersfollow in the footsteps of other popular period dramas, likeBridgerton, which balance the romance aspects with the very real issues of the time period. Arguably, with its younger characters and more modernized take,The Buccaneersfalls even more in line withBridgerton, though all three shows appeal to a similar audience. If anything,The Gilded AgeandThe Buccaneerspair incredibly well together becausetheir slight differences highlight the changing beliefs of young people during the Gilded Age.
The Buccaneers Provides A Great Watch For The Gilded Age Fans Between New Episodes
The New Seasons Both Begin This Week
The Buccaneershas a more romantic tone thanThe Gilded Agedoes in its first two seasons, butThe Gilded Ageseason 3 has already teased a lot of relationship drama, including divorce and its significance during this time. This means that the two shows could fit better together than ever before, and their timing could not be more perfect. Season 2 ofThe Buccaneersis scheduled for Wednesday, Jun 28, 2025, andThe Gilded Agewill begin on Sunday, June 22, with new episodes of both each week.
Because both shows are kicking off their new seasons and are spread out nicely during the week,The Gilded AgeandThe Buccaneersmake the perfect pairing for the summer. WhileThe Gilded Agewill continue focusing on its wealthy characters in New York City,The Buccaneerswill provide a nice contrast with its characters across the pond. As the young women continue to navigate romantic woes and family troubles, their counterparts inThe Gilded Age, will undoubtedly face similar complications.
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.
