The Gilded Age's Taissa Farmiga Celebrates Gladys' 'Satisfying' Act Of Defiance In Season 3 Premiere

The Gilded Age is back for Season 3, and the name on everybody's lips is going to be... Gladys Russell? Wait, that can't be right, can it?

Indeed, it is! Taissa Farmiga's oft-overlooked character is finally getting her turn in the spotlight this time around, beginning with Sunday's premiere, which finds her at considerable odds with Bertha over the direction of her romantic future. Specifically, Gladys wishes to marry Billy Clark, with whom she has fallen hopelessly in love. But Bertha, ever the social climber, refuses to entertain the notion one iota, instead scheming for Gladys to end up with the Duke of Buckingham.

Faced with no other conceivable options, Gladys ends the episode by running away from home and disappearing into the night. It's a rare act of defiance from the Russells' obedient daughter, who typically does as she's told, but Farmiga says it's the first step on Gladys' road to finally owning her power.

"It's very satisfying to be with the character for three seasons and to see her grow and reach a moment of tangible progress," Farmiga tells TVLine. Looking ahead to future developments, she teases, "There's a huge shift in Gladys. You feel it in her whole being, and it's incredible to be able to portray that."

But as Gladys fights to escape from underneath her mother's thumb, an even more tragic tale is unfolding at the Fane household, where Aurora's husband announces his desire... for a divorce. Sure, she knew he'd been unhappy, and he'd been away for some time, but couldn't they just stay in their miserable marriage like everyone else in their social circle?

"In this season, we say quite a lot about being married in the 1880s, and on the limits of your behavior, and also why you have to see it as a lifelong commitment — because if it wasn't, it was going to be nothing but trouble," series creator Julian Fellowes tells TVLine. "Divorce was becoming normal, but it was still very much disapproved of at the top end of society, and it was too expensive in most of the other parts of society. It was a dangerous thing to expose yourself to [public scrutiny] and expect to survive, especially as a woman."

Speaking of scrutiny, that same fear is also what's keeping Marian from going public with Larry. He's ready to get down on one knee at a moment's notice, but it's only been a few months since her last engagement failed, and she simply can't handle any public judgment right now.

Also in the Season 3 premiere...

* As if there wasn't already enough change afoot in the world for Agnes' liking, Ada is now the lady of the Van Rhijn household, creating serious confusion for the staff. Even worse, Ada is using her newly acquired status to champion the Temperance Movement, hosting meetings to spread the word about the evils of consuming alcohol. Ironically, Agnes has never needed a drink more in her life.

* Poor Peggy has caught a nasty cold, but she's determined to work through the sickness in order to meet a writing deadline. (Been there!) Her condition worsens over the course of the hour, and by the time the Van Rhijns' family doctor is called to the house, he won't treat her because she's Black. Even for the 1880s, this feels excessively racist.

* Is Larry doing right by our boy Jack? Word around the Van Rhijns' staff quarters is that Larry isn't letting Jack sit in on meetings with potential investors, despite Larry not actually understanding how the clock technology works. Sure, Larry promised to make Jack rich, but can he really be trusted to seal the deal?

* Josh — sorry, Monsieur — Baudin receives a letter of a most distressing nature. Or at least he assumes it's going to be distressing. You'll have to wait until Episode 2 to find out what it is! #slowburn

Are you relieved to finally have The Gilded Age back in your life, and more importantly, back on your DVR? What was your favorite part of Sunday's premiere? Heck, tell us your least favorite part, too. We want to discuss it all. While you're at it, grade the episode in our poll below and drop a comment with your full review.