The Gilded Age: George Russell shot ahead of season finale; Is this the end for the railroad titan?

Just one week after The Gilded Age stunned viewers with the sudden death of John Adams (Claybourne Elder), the HBO series has done it again, this time leaving the fate of a major character in question.

George Russell (Morgan Spector), the iron-willed railroad magnate and pillar of the show’s central family, was shot in the final seconds of Season 3, Episode 7, which aired Sunday night(August 3). The screen cut to black just as the gun was fired, sparking intense speculation ahead of next week’s season finale.

The dramatic moment followed weeks of escalating tension for George, both professionally and at home. After regaining control of his railroad empire with help from son Larry (Harry Richardson), George appeared to be back on top. Their financial salvation came when Larry confirmed their Arizona mines were rich in copper, ensuring continued payments to the Duke of Buckingham, who had married Gladys Russell (Taissa Farmiga).


But George’s business victories also made him enemies. He had pushed out Richard Clay (Patrick Page), a longtime associate, and humiliated rivals like Sage (Peter McRobbie) during high-stakes negotiations orchestrated by J.P. Morgan (Bill Camp).

Meanwhile, George’s marriage to Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon) grew increasingly strained. After months of clashing over their children’s romantic futures, especially Bertha’s insistence on socially advantageous marriages, George chose to stay overnight at his gentleman’s club rather than return home.

It was there, in the final seconds of the episode, that a shadowy figure entered his private study and fired a gun.

In an interview with PEOPLE, Spector said he was “surprised” when he read the scene and even wondered if he was being written off. He also called the episode "strangely topical," drawing parallels to the December 2024 killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, an event that occurred after filming wrapped in January 2025.

With just one episode left, viewers are bracing for what could be the show’s most explosive finale yet.

The Gilded Age airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and streams on Max.