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Gladys Bertha Vere, Duchess of Buckingham (née Russell; portrayed by Taissa Farmiga) is the daughter of the wealthy railroad tycoon George Russell and his wife Bertha Russell. Gladys is married to Hector Vere, 5th Duke of Buckingham, making her the Duchess of Buckingham.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Gladys is the younger child and only daughter of the Russell family. Gladys was born around 1865, making her 17 in season 1. Her parents came from humble beginnings, but her father became incredibly wealthy as a railroad tycoon, and Gladys has always been accustomed to their wealth. She has an older brother, Larry.
Gladys grew up sheltered, under her mother's tight control. She had a governess, Grant, until just before she was brought out in society in 1882. Due to her immense wealth, she was surrounded by suitors even before being introduced formally to society.
Season 1[]
Archie Baldwin, a young investment banker, seemed to take a real interest in Gladys, but Bertha didn't approve of him. They met at a hotel with Gladys's governess, which led to her being fired.
Her mother was finally convinced to let her have a ladies’ maid instead of a replacement governess.
Gladys kept trying to sneak out of the estate with the help of her new maid, but was always caught by her mother. Finally, her parents invited Archie to have dinner with the family. Gladys was greatly pleased, until after the dinner when he hastily left, acting coldly towards her. Gladys knew that her father had done something to drive him away, and was deeply upset by this betrayal, despite her mother insisting it was for the best.
Season 2[]
Oscar van Rhijn spent about a year in pursue of Gladys's hand, and Gladys considered his proposal as a pathway to freedom. Her father, George rejected Oscar, as he's determined on a love match for his daughter, and he could tell that Oscar was after a marriage of convenience.
Hector, Duke of Buckingham starts spending more time with the Russell family.
Season 3[]
Episode 1
The season opens amid George Russell’s efforts to acquire land in Arizona for his coast-to-coast railroad, while Bertha consolidates her foothold in New York society by orchestrating Gladys’s future marriage to the Duke of Buckingham. Gladys, in love with Billy Carlton, resists her mother’s plans. The conflict escalates into a confrontation; late at night, Gladys flees the Russell home.
Episode 2
Gladys’s disappearance sparks chaos at the Russell residence. She finds temporary refuge with Billy Carlton, but Bertha intercepts and intensifies her campaign for the Duke. At Aurora Fane's charity gathering, Billy attempts to ask George for Gladys’s hand but collapses under pressure. He is intimidated by George and Bertha, leading him to end his and Gladys's relationship. His withdrawal leaves Gladys devastated and paves the way for the Duke’s return, accompanied by his lawyer.
Episode 3
Following a strained return to New York society, Gladys learns that the Duke of Buckingham, Hector, has been seen at the opera with Miss Delancey, a wealthy American heiress. Relieved by the implication that Hector may consider other matches, Gladys renews her efforts to reunite with Billy Carlton. She enlists her brother, Larry Russell, to speak with Billy on her behalf. Larry meets Billy and conveys Gladys’s lingering feelings, but the conversation proves fruitless—Billy makes it clear that he has moved on.
Gladys quickly realizes that neither her father nor her brother is willing—or able—to oppose Bertha’s determination to secure the aristocratic match. George expresses some discomfort with the aggressive negotiations over the dowry, but ultimately defers to Bertha’s judgment. Left without meaningful support, and emotionally devastated by Billy’s rejection, Gladys agrees to meet privately with Hector. In a frank and quiet conversation, Gladys and Hector acknowledge the political nature of their engagement, and assures her that he will not mislead or mistreat her. Gladys responds that she appreciates his honesty.
The following day, at a formal reception hosted by the Russells, George and Bertha officially unveil John Singer Sargent’s portrait of Gladys. The event also serves as the public announcement of her engagement to the Duke of Buckingham. Surrounded by guests and socialites, Gladys stands silently next to her portrait, composed but internally conflicted.
Episode 4
Several days after the announcement of her engagement, Gladys remains sequestered in her room refusing to go downstairs. Desperate, Bertha tries by all means to make her leave her room, asking Marian to talk sense to her, without much success. The day of the wedding finally comes, and George has a heart-to-heart conversation with Gladys, sincerely apologizing with her for not returning in time and for not being strong enough to stand up for her and not fulfilling the promise he made to her.
Knowing that there's no coming back from it, since calling off the wedding would be a scandal that would chase her for the rest of her life, Gladys leaves her room and goes downstairs to her carriage, to marry the Duke. When she arrives to the church, Gladys, reluctantly and in tears, she marries Hector, officially becoming the Duchess of Buckingham. That night, she and Hector set sail to England and consumate their marriage.
Episode 5
Following the wedding, Gladys relocates to Sidmouth Castle. She encounters a cold reception from Lady Sarah, the Duke’s elder sister, who exerts control over the household. Lady Sarah treats Gladys with overt condescension, citing her youth, American origins, and perceived naivety. Gladys is excluded from household decisions and is publicly corrected for her fashion choices and manners. Her personal maid, Adelheid, is dismissed without discussion and replaced by the austere Boles.
Although Hector shows signs of discomfort with his sister’s treatment of Gladys, he does not confront Sarah outright, reflecting a lifetime of deference to her authority within the family. Isolated and increasingly uncomfortable, Gladys writes to her mother, Bertha Russell, seeking support.
Episode 6
Bertha arrives at Sidmouth Castle in response to Gladys’s letter. She quickly observes Lady Sarah’s dominant role and encourages Gladys to begin exercising her authority as Duchess. Bertha provides practical advice on asserting influence, including over estate matters, taking an interest in Hector, and championing local charitable events.
At a formal dinner, when Lady Sarah pointedly rises before Gladys without the usual etiquette, Gladys responds with a poised but firm rebuke: “I thought, when you stood without waiting for me, you must be ill… I’m so glad if I was wrong.” The remark causes visible discomfort around the table. Hector, while maintaining composure, appears amused and quietly impressed by his wife's assertiveness. Bertha departs after the dinner, confident that Gladys can now manage her position independently.
Episode 7
In the aftermath of financial instability within the Russell family, George Russell informs Hector by telegram that the next installment of Gladys’s dowry will be delayed and may not be paid at all. In response, Lady Sarah proposes sending Gladys back to New York, claiming it would be more practical under the circumstances. Hector firmly rejects the idea, defending Gladys’s place at Sidmouth.
Later, during a walk through the gardens, Hector compliments Gladys’s dress and remarks that he remembers what she wore at the opera, surprising her with his attention to detail. He informs her of the dowry issue. Gladys expresses concern over how he will manage, but Hector reassures her that she need not worry. Back in her room, Gladys finds a vase of irises, subtly implying a gesture of affection from Hector. Boles attempts to enforce Lady Sarah’s sartorial choices for an upcoming dinner, but Gladys asserts her independence by choosing her own gown. Hector later visits her room and reiterates that she should not concern herself with the financial situation. When he expresses doubts about his own abilities, she reassures him and affirms her belief in his competence. He reciprocates by affirming her importance to him.
In the final scene, Gladys and Hector wait together to be called in for dinner. Hector informs Lady Sarah that he and Gladys have accepted Bertha Russell’s invitation to attend the Newport Ball in New York, a prestigious event now under Bertha’s control following Mrs. Astor’s withdrawal. When Lady Sarah sarcastically remarks that Bertha simply wants to “show you off,” Hector pointedly suggests that it may be time for Sarah to return to London—specifically, to her own residence, not the family home—signaling a quiet but firm end to her control over Sidmouth Castle.
Visibly emotional, Lady Sarah turns to Gladys, asking if she agrees with Hector’s decision. Gladys hesitantly but clearly confirms. As Lady Sarah registers this, Gladys and Hector hold hands, signifying a growing emotional bond and a shared sense of autonomy within their marriage.
Quotes
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