Newland Archer does everything that is expected of him in the New York society of the 1870s. He is a respected lawyer, he socialises with all of the most elegant families and he is engaged to May Welland: a beautiful, innocent and wealth young woman. It is a perfect match. But then Newland meets May´s cousin. Countess Ellen Olenska who has arrived in New York with a bad reputation. Soon the couple fall in love. But what about May? And more importantly: how can they avoid a scandal?