How a Newport sitting room inspired Julian Fellowes to make HBO's 'Gilded Age'

Paul Edward Parker, The Providence Journal
·2 min read

NEWPORT — Julian Fellowes, creator of "Downton Abbey" and "The Gilded Age," was under strict orders from HBO to not give away any plot elements from "Gilded Age" season 2 when he spoke to reporters Tuesday in one of the mansions that inspired the drama series and served as the set for some scenes.

But one thing slipped:

The Preservation Society of Newport County is about to launch a special "Inside 'The Gilded Age' " tour of four of its mansions where the series, now producing its second season, has been filmed.

Fellowes chatted with reporters in Marble House, the real-life former home of socialite Alva Vanderbilt, the inspiration for "The Gilded Age's" Bertha Russell, played by Carrie Coon.

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Julian Fellowes was moved to have authentic gilded setting for his new series. Look no further than the ceiling of Marble House Gold Room where the press conference was held.
Julian Fellowes was moved to have authentic gilded setting for his new series. Look no further than the ceiling of Marble House Gold Room where the press conference was held.

Sitting in the mansion's first-floor Gold Room, Fellowes told about a visit he paid to Vanderbilt's sitting room on the mezzanine.

"I did have a remarkable sense of the woman sitting there," Fellowes said.

Vanderbilt's second-floor bedroom is the inspiration for Russell's bedroom in the series, which is on a soundstage on Long Island.

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Julian Fellowes, center, creator of "Downton Abbey" and "The Gilded Age"; Preservation Society CEO Trudy Coxe, right; and Steven Feinberg, executive director of the Rhode Island Film and Television Office.
Julian Fellowes, center, creator of "Downton Abbey" and "The Gilded Age"; Preservation Society CEO Trudy Coxe, right; and Steven Feinberg, executive director of the Rhode Island Film and Television Office.

The special tours, which will bring visitors to The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms and Chateau-sur-Mer, will begin Friday and will be offered at first only on a trial basis to guests of three Newport hotels: the Newport Marriott, The Vanderbilt and The Chanler, according to Preservation Society spokesman Gary Ruff. The four-hour tours will be limited to 12 people.

The Friday-only tours are expected to last through Sept. 23.

Besides those taking the special tours, visitors on self-guided audio tours of The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms and Rosecliff will hear about "Gilded Age" filming in those houses.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Special Newport mansion tours for fans of 'The Gilded Age' on HBO