Salve Regina University Shines in HBO’s “The Gilded Age”
Scenes from the season four premiere of the Emmy-winning series "The Gilded Age" were filmed at Salve Regina University’s Ochre Court in Newport, with students, alumni and faculty stepping into the spotlight alongside the show’s star-studded cast.
Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon) and Lady Sara Vere (Hattie Morahan) inside Sidmouth Castle (Salve Regina University’s Ochre Court) in a scene from Season 4 of HBO’s Gilded Age. Credit Karolina Wojtasik-HBO.
Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon) and Lady Sara Vere (Hattie Morahan) inside Sidmouth Castle (Salve Regina University’s Ochre Court) in a scene from Season 4 of HBO’s Gilded Age. Credit Karolina Wojtasik-HBO.
HBO Max’s Emmy-Award winning show, “The Gilded Age,” released its fourth season premiere on Sunday and, if you have a keen eye, you might have noticed that some scenes were shot at a local university. In fact, the episode opens at Sidmouth Castle — home of characters Hector, Duke of Buckingham, and his new wife Gladys Russell — known in real life as Ochre Court. Designed by renowned Gilded Age architect Richard Morris Hunt, Ochre Court is located in the heart of Salve Regina University‘s campus in Newport. Offscreen, the fifty-room mansion serves as the Office of Admissions for the university.
Salve’s involvement went further than just their facilities; alumni and students made appearances as extras, sharing the screen with the likes of acting legends like Christine Baranski, Denée Benton, Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector and Cynthia Nixon. Viewers can try to spot junior theatre arts major, Daniel Currier; senior psychology major, Kendra Obrycki; sophomore finance major Cayden Ratineri; and alumna Grace Gallagher amongst the various period-costume-and-makeup-clad background actors.
Salve Regina alumni, faculty and students made appearances as extras next to actors and actresses on “The Gilded Age” such as Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Denée Benton, Taissa Farmiga and Louisa Jacobson. Photography courtesy of Karolina Wojtasik/HBO.
This isn’t the first time the university and its matriculates have made an appearance in the Emmy Award-winning drama from HBO. In season 3, Professor Dr. Dean de la Motte, alum Olivia Mahler and students Cassidy Bashada and Michael Becker also appeared as extras. Ochre Court and its exterior was similarly used for many scenes including a dinner at the palace of Duke Buckingham and another where Gladys Russell, played by Taissa Farmiga, is adjusting to life as a duchess. Other spots on campus used for filming include the ballroom and the great hall.
Meanwhile, local businesses have also been involved in the production of “The Gilded Age;” baker Kerri Marrie of Kerri Cupcake created the exuberant cake for Glady Russell’s wedding.
“The Gilded Age” began filming its first season a few years ago in Newport, as the historic scenery was fitting for the 1880’s New York setting. Given the excellent job done by both the HBO creative team and the Preservation Society of Newport County, this massive success has reinvigorated the popularity of the Breakers in Newport.
Photography courtesy of Karolina Wojtasik/HBO.
For those needing a refresher before tuning into the premiere, HBO describes season four as, “Bertha Russell changed Society at a cost. Now, her family must reckon with the consequences as Agnes van Rhijn seizes an opportunity to regain her position. Meanwhile, Marian forges a new path for herself, and Peggy works to be accepted by her future in-laws. In this new era, you must be careful what you wish for.” Watch the trailer here or catch up on the series on HBO Max.
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