Gladys Survives Childbirth but Learns She Cannot Have More Children

The new season begins about six months after the previous one, with Gladys Russell in labor at her English home. Her baby is positioned breech, and the doctor warns that he may not be able to save both mother and child. Gladys’ husband, Hector, says he would choose her if forced to decide, a choice that reassures her mother, Bertha, about the man she arranged for Gladys to marry.

Gladys gives birth to a son, but her lady’s maid, Adelheid, later finds her bleeding heavily. The doctor is called back and performs a hysterectomy to stop the hemorrhage. The operation saves Gladys, but means she cannot have another child.

Hector and Bertha learn what the surgery means while Gladys remains unaware. Bertha urges Hector to wait until his wife has recovered before telling her. She also tells Gladys that Hector chose her over the baby during the crisis.

The birth brings Bertha close to losing her daughter, after she nearly lost her husband less than a year earlier. Carrie Coon said the events sharpen Bertha’s sense of what matters to her. Taissa Farmiga described the birth scene as intense to film, while praising her co-star’s support during the emotionally demanding work.

New episodes of Season 4 are scheduled for Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.