Podcast Summary: “Morgan Spector Talks 'The Gilded Age'”

Podcast: All Of It
Host: Alison Stewart, WNYC
Episode Date: August 18, 2025
Guest: Morgan Spector (actor, “George Russell” on HBO’s The Gilded Age)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode features an in-depth conversation with actor Morgan Spector about the third season of HBO’s The Gilded Age. The discussion explores Spector’s approach to portraying the ambitious and complex railroad baron George Russell, his research into historical inspirations, the challenges of embodying a 19th-century titan, his collaboration with co-star Carrie Coon, and The Gilded Age’s broader cultural and social themes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Landing the Role and First Impressions

• Origin Story:
  • Spector describes being at home and out of work when the audition came:

    "I was not working. No. I was home being a dad." (04:29)

• Initial Uncertainty:
  • Was skeptical about fitting into Julian Fellowes’ world, but his wife suggested:

    “He’s Clark Gable in Gone with the Wind.” (04:39)

• The Attraction:
  • Spector found George Russell’s structured masculinity compelling and was drawn to the material intuitively.

2. Building George Russell: Research and Backstory

• Historical Inspiration:
  • Spector reveals George Russell is based on real-life railroad tycoon Jay Gould.

    “He was born in very modest circumstances ... became a land surveyor by the time he was 15... took the tannery by force.” (06:10-06:47)

• Moral Closeness to Violence:
  • Gould’s direct approach to business, including literal conflict, informs Russell’s character:

    “Coming from the barrel of a gun, that I think it was an interesting sort of seed to have in George Russell’s background.” (06:47)

3. Portraying Dualities: Ruthlessness & Family Softness

• Character’s Weaknesses:
  • This season, both Russells’ myopic focus and naiveté are exposed:

    “He pushes his own capacities beyond where... the point of safety. And it's only through blind luck that it doesn't all come crashing down.” (07:13)

• Compartmentalization:
  • Spector argues the separation between ruthless businessman and loving father/husband is relatable:

    “We all have a kind of moral community where we are our best selves...then a sphere beyond that where we kind of don't.” (14:00)

4. Returning to Character: The Physical & Emotional Challenge

• Re-embodiment:
  • On slipping back into George after long breaks:

    “We go a year between shooting...the first few days, you feel rusty. Carrie describes it as putting on a wet bathing suit.” (08:16)

• Heightened Language:
  • Early days involved figuring out how to move and speak naturally in the show’s elevated period style.

5. Dynamic With Co-Star Carrie Coon (Bertha Russell)

• Personal History & Chemistry:
  • Carrie Coon recalls their prior (bizarre) work together and real-life friendship:

    “We just became really good friends in the world before Gilded Age came along. So it was such a delight ... He’s a great feminist and basically a Marxist.” (09:39)

• Mutual Respect:
  • Spector:

    “It is like one of the great pleasures of my life to get to...play these characters together.” (10:52)

• Political Opposites:
  • Spector, a progressive in real life, relished discussing labor issues both on and off set.

6. Navigating the Gilded Age’s Themes of Wealth and Power

• Social Commentary:
  • Spector was making a documentary about socialism and labor as he was cast, leading to a unique lens on the show:

    “Whatever angle we were going to...look at the Gilded Age, even through...the richest of the rich, you are looking at part of a system that implies the other part.” (12:20)

  • Advocacy for including labor struggle storylines in the show.

7. On-Set Experiences: Filming and Costuming

• Staging the West:
  • Western scenes were mostly shot on Long Island, with real vistas added later:

    “It was very easy to pretend we were in Arizona. I've never felt more like, man, I'm in showbiz.” (17:22)

• Costume Design:
  • Spector’s appreciation for craftsmanship:

    “Everything is built for us by truly, truly brilliant craftspeople ... you just never feel more elegant ... than you do in that moment.” (23:33)

8. The Russells’ Marriage and Parenting Philosophy

• Their Different Approaches:
  • Caller observes George and Bertha’s differing shows of love for their daughter; Spector agrees:

    “These are parents with two different strategies for how to take care of their child ... they're both acting out of love.” (20:26)

9. George Russell’s Motivations—Why More Is Never Enough

• Capitalist Drive:
  • The endless expansion is as much about legacy as competition:

    “There is this question of legacy ... What you will have carved on the sort of rock of the world that will remain after you’ve gone.” (15:24)

10. Filming Locations & Connection to New York

• Shooting in Troy and Albany:
  • Spector enjoys working close to home and witnessing period transformations of familiar places:

    “When you come and find [the city] one day, and it’s utterly transformed ... it’s a delight.” (25:32)

• NYC’s Architecture:
  • Show changed how he observes the city:

    “I do find myself walking ... and you’re like, what was this originally?” (26:28)

11. Hints and Looking Ahead (No Spoilers)

• Season 3 Foreshadowing:
  • Spector recommends looking back at George’s reaction to Bertha’s scheme with the Duke and Gladys at the end of season two for hints at the new season’s trajectory. (27:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Attraction of the Role:

  “There’s an intuitive attraction to a piece of material. I would say that was like, my first entry point there.” — Morgan Spector (05:13)

• On the Rehearsal Process:

  “We didn’t know how to walk, we didn’t know how to talk. We didn’t know how to do anything.” — Morgan Spector (08:16)

• On Personal Politics vs. Character:

  “He’s a great feminist and basically a Marxist. ... But it is fun to engage with him on those subjects because he has some strong opinions.” — Carrie Coon (09:39)

• On Compartmentalization:

  “I actually think it’s completely ordinary the way that George compartmentalizes certain parts of his life. ... And then I think we have a sphere beyond that where we kind of don’t.” — Morgan Spector (14:00)

• On Parenting Differences:

  “For her, what Bertha’s doing for Gladys is entirely out of love. ... They end up on just two parallel tracks. But I think you’re right. They’re both acting out of love.” — Morgan Spector (20:26)

• On Costuming:

  “You just, you know, if you’ve ever had a custom suit on your body, you just never feel more elegant ... than you do in that moment.” — Morgan Spector (23:33)

• On Walking in New York:

  “You’re walking past, like, a Duane Reade, and it’s in this incredibly beautiful building, and you’re like, what was this originally?” — Morgan Spector (26:28)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:59] Morgan Spector discusses what he was doing before auditioning for The Gilded Age
• [04:39] On the initial approach to playing George Russell
• [06:10] Spector’s research into Jay Gould
• [07:13] George Russell’s weaknesses and risks
• [08:16] The physical and psychological process of returning to set
• [09:39] Carrie Coon on her relationship with Spector and their dynamic
• [11:53] Spector on reconciling his politics with playing a “robber baron”
• [12:20] The importance of addressing class and labor issues in the show
• [13:50] Duality of Russell’s ruthlessness vs. softness
• [15:24] Discussion of George Russell’s insatiable drive
• [17:01] Filming the “Wild West” scenes on a Long Island soundstage
• [19:19] Callers discuss parenting differences and LGBTQ representation
• [23:33] The pleasure (and pain) of period costumes
• [25:32] Stories of filming in Troy and Albany
• [26:28] Reflections on NYC architecture
• [27:13] Clues for Season 3’s direction

Conclusion

This episode delivers a nuanced, insightful, and personal look at Morgan Spector’s work on The Gilded Age, blending behind-the-scenes stories with broader reflections on history, politics, and acting. Spector’s thoughtful approach to a morally complex character and his commitment to exploring the era’s overlooked stories (especially labor and class) make for a rich, entertaining conversation for fans of the series and students of culture alike.