When Does "The Gilded Age" Season One (2022) Take Place?

"The Gilded Age" season one is a historical fiction television series showrun by Julian Fellowes that first released January 24th, 2022. So when is "The Gilded Age" season 1 set? 


It takes place in the year: 

1882 AD 


We know this because in season 1 episode 1 "Never the New" George Russell is reading a newspaper and says, "Hmm... Did you know they shot Jesse James?" The real-world outlaw Jesse James was killed on April 3rd, 1882 AD so it is most likely April of 1882 AD at the start of the season. 

Furthermore, the first shot of the first scene of the first season (season 1 episode 1 "Never the New") includes a place and year setting title card superimposed over the footage reading "NEW YORK, 1882". 

Later, in season 1 episode 7 "Irresistible Change" Alfred Bannister holds a check that reads "July 1882" on its top right. So it must be during or after July of 1882 AD. 

More specifically, during the same episode Mr. Russell says, "Edison is mounting a demonstration on September 4th.", referring to the real-world businessman Thomas Edison (1847-1931). He soon adds, 'First, he'll switch on his plant on Pearl Street but later, at 10, he will illuminate the offices of "The New York Times" on Park Row.' Pearl Street Station was his first commercial power plant in the United States of America and it did launch operations and then made a demonstration at "The New York Times" Building on September 4th, 1882 AD in the real world. So it must be September of 1882 AD at the end of the season. 

This ScreenRant article by Zachary Moser examines its exact setting. 


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