Ochre Court appears in HBO's "The Gilded Age"

If you streamed last night's Season 4 opener of the HBO Original drama series "The Gilded Age" on Max, you caught Salve's beloved Ochre Court.

The series, from creator Julian Fellowes, is a co-production between HBO and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group. Among the featured actors in Season 4 are Christine Baranski, Denée Benton, Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector and Cynthia Nixon.

The first scenes of the season open in Ochre Court, the heart of our oceanside campus, portraying Sidmouth Castle, home of Hector, Duke of Buckingham, and his new wife Gladys Russell. Designed by renowned Gilded Age architect Richard Morris Hunt, Ochre Court is one of several historic buildings in Newport, RI featured in the series. Episodes of the previous season were filmed at Salve as well.

Salve students and alumni also appear as extras in Season 4. Daniel Currier '28, a theatre arts major; Kendra Obrycki '27, a psychology major; Cayden Ratineri '29, a finance major; and alumna Grace Gallagher '26 all play various background actors in period costumes, hair and makeup.

Ratineri has been working as a professional actress for about two years. When she saw the Instagram posting that "The Gilded Age" was looking for extras, she said she knew she'd do whatever it took to try and book a role.

Ratineri said, "When I initially saw the email back from casting asking me to come in for a costume fitting, I was absolutely thrilled! I remember being home from school when I got the email and running downstairs to find my parents to tell them the great news! My mom and I have watched the show together form the beginning and it's so special to actually have the chance to be in one of our absolute favorite shows!"

"At the time I wasn't sure what role I was going to be cast in or where I was going to end up filming but later come to find out we got to film in our own building Ochre Court, which to me felt like such a full-circle moment," she added.

HBO describes Season 4 this way: "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."

"The Gilded Age" Season 4 is now streaming on HBO Max.