As everyone has probably heard by now, the slow pivot by Warner Bros. Discovery back to where everything was before CEO David Zaslav started going full DOGE on it culminated in May 2025 with the announcement that the streaming service that was once called HBO Max before dropping "the prestige branding" would restore the premium channel's name to the app. It was the final embarrassment for Zaslav, who had attempted to cancel anything and everything perceived as diverse since taking over the company in 2022, foreshadowing the government's attempt to do the same in 2025.

However, one show has managed to escape his hammer so far: The Gilded Age, which debuts its third season in June. If The Gilded Age turning up as a summer show feels a bit odd, it should. The series has had a winter debut for its first two outings, and the images from the premiere suggest that the producers expected the same again, with pictures of a snow-covered 1880s New York City.

However, the reason for the move is a savvy one. Most June premieres are series that networks assume haven't a prayer of an awards play, hence placing them after the eligibility window closes for the previous one. However, recently, there has been a trend to drop the new season of whatever hit show is up for nominations from the prior year to put it top of mind with critics.

That seems to be the hope for The Gilded Age. HBO executive Casey Bloys barely managed to renew the series by the skin of his teeth, and it looks as if he's hoping hardware (even if it's just for the hats) will help make Season 4 a reality. Will Zaslav have been humiliated enough to butt out of the process?

Fans can only hope.