Who Ordered George Russell's Death in The Gilded Age? 3 Prime Suspects

Screen Rant · 2026-11-02
Who Ordered George Russell's Death in The Gilded Age? 3 Prime Suspects

The Gilded Age season 3 delivered a shocking twist when railroad tycoon George Russell was shot, leaving fans wondering who pulled the trigger and, more importantly, who gave the order. As the HBO drama heads into season 4, three prime suspects emerge from the tangled web of New York's high society. First, there's the ruthless Mrs. Astor, whose social dominance is threatened by the Russell family's rise. Then there's the scheming Turner, the lady's maid with a personal vendetta against the Russells. Finally, the ambitious banker Oscar van Rhijn could be pulling strings to protect his own financial interests. Each suspect has motive, means, and opportunity, but the show's creator Julian Fellowes is known for keeping audiences guessing. The attempted assassination of George Russell isn't just a plot twist—it's a reflection of the cutthroat competition that defined America's Gilded Age, where fortunes were made and destroyed overnight. With season 4 on the horizon, viewers are left to wonder: will the truth come out, or will the mastermind escape justice? One thing is certain: in this world of opulence and intrigue, no one is safe.