Matt Damon and David Letterman Cameo in The Gilded Age Premiere

The two men cross a Manhattan street early in “Ring the Bells,” the fourth season’s opening episode. Their silent appearance lasts only a few seconds, roughly eight and a half minutes into the premiere, and comes during a transition back from events in England.

Before the cut, Gladys Russell is in labor, and her husband, Hector, Duke of Buckingham, is asked whether the doctor should prioritize her or their baby if both cannot be saved. Hector says Gladys should come first. The brief street scene follows, with Damon and Letterman dressed in period clothing, including hats, long coats and facial hair.

The cameo does not lead to a larger role for either man in the episode. Damon has previously spoken about watching HBO dramas with his children, including The Wire and The Sopranos, and has said he enjoys introducing them to long-form television. The premiere also features Oscar van Rhijn’s wedding, a reunion between Marian and Larry, and Peggy celebrating the release of her book.