Podcast Summary: "The Gilded Age" with Carrie Coon (Watch Party)

Podcast: All Of It with Alison Stewart, WNYC
Air Date: December 18, 2023
Guest: Carrie Coon (Bertha Russell, "The Gilded Age")

Overview

This episode is a lively and thoughtful deep-dive into HBO’s The Gilded Age through the eyes of standout star Carrie Coon, who plays the fiercely ambitious Bertha Russell. Host Alison Stewart and Carrie discuss the craft of building Bertha’s character, the show’s cultural and historical context, the power dynamics of old and new money in 1880s New York, representation of African American communities, and the collaborative atmosphere of the cast and crew. Listener calls and texts add rich perspectives about the show's resonance and Coon’s celebrated performance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bertha Russell: Character, Drive, and Construction

• Bertha’s Ambition and Limits:
  Carrie highlights Bertha’s relentless ambition and observes that, had Bertha lived in a different era, she “would have been a CEO or a senator or president.” (05:55) Yet, in the Gilded Age, social maneuvering is her only available battleground.

• Character Backstory:
  Carrie believes Bertha comes from a distinctly middle-class background, likely the child of Irish immigrants. This shapes both her sense of not fully belonging and her drive to “cut through some of the BS” of New York society's rigid structures. (06:38)

• On Ambition and Relatability:
  Coon—who herself comes from a working-class family—connects personally to Bertha’s meritocratic worldview and competitive disposition.

  “I think athletics are a good foreground for being an actor anyway... but, yes, I was very competitive. My track team in high school lost two meets in 26 years. And I hated running. But I loved winning.” (08:27)

2. Authenticity, Representation, and Research

• Research and Preparation:
  The cast received curated research from the show’s historian, Erica Dunbar, and AD Luke Harlan. Carrie, a self-proclaimed "nerd of the time period," delved into literature and period etiquette—with continual input from creator Julian Fellowes.

  “Portrait of a Lady is my favorite book. I reread it every few years...[I was] a big Edith Wharton nerd.” (12:27)

• African American Representation:
  Both host and listeners praise the show’s nuanced depiction of New York’s Black elite—rarely portrayed in period dramas.

  “It’s my favorite part of the show....I’m really moved that a young woman might look at our show and see herself in it in a way that maybe a Black girl hasn’t had that opportunity in the past.” —Carrie Coon (14:24)

• On Speaking Style/Voice:
  To emulate 1880s upper-class speech, Carrie worked with dialect coach Howard Samuelson; she describes the balance between theatricality and truthfulness.

  “It does require a bit of theatricality, and finding the balance between making that feel truthful is really challenging.” (17:07)

3. Relationships, Power, and Vulnerability

• Bertha’s Marriage to George Russell:
  Audience members and Alison rave about the chemistry and depth between Bertha and George. Carrie attributes this to genuine friendship and shared history with Morgan Spector (George) off screen.

  “It was one of the reasons I took the job...we just have a real deep love and respect for each other in real life, and that certainly doesn’t hurt. And he’s a great feminist and basically a Marxist [laughs].” (19:24)

• Vulnerability and Antagonism:
  Viewers enjoy seeing Bertha’s more vulnerable side this season, especially when dealing with marital complications and acts of kindness (such as giving opera tickets to her housekeeper).

  “[Vulnerability] always complicates a character, especially when you’re playing someone who is ostensibly an antagonist or a villain. Vulnerability will always make that person feel more rounded and more human.” (15:59)

• Parental Power Plays and Social Standing:
  Bertha is unflinchingly pragmatic about her children’s futures, determined to marry them for social status rather than love.

  “Larry’s a rich, young white man. He’s going to be fine. But she will not let him make a match that will put a stain on the family name.” (22:14)

4. Behind-The-Scenes: Costumes, Filming, and the Ensemble

• Costume Spectacle:
  Carrie marvels at Kasia Walicka-Maimone’s designs, detailing how each fit is both historically justified yet modern in character expression.

  “Every choice she makes is justifiable in the historical record, even though there are times when she is pushing the period...With Bertha, it’s always more.” (23:44)

• Onset Challenges:
  The elaborate period costumes are challenging and sometimes uncomfortable—shooting extended hours in the heat, with repetitive background work described as less glamorous than it seems. (11:16)

• Ensemble Spirit:
  Coon describes the cast, many of whom are Broadway stars, as “nerdy theater camp” and credits the hardworking and grateful crew. (28:40)

5. Spoilers & Season Narrative (Spoiler Alert: 25:06–26:36)

• Opera Wars and the Duke:
  Bertha achieves her goal of establishing the Metropolitan Opera, but at personal cost—arranging for her daughter Gladys to make a marriage of convenience with a financially-strapped English duke, referencing real-life Gilded Age social climbers.

  “Gladys is being sold across the ocean.” (26:36)

6. Fan Engagement & Carrie Coon’s Broader Career

• Fan Recognition:
  Carrie’s work on The Leftovers draws dedicated appreciation, with fans expressing gratitude for her profound performances. (26:51)

• Stage Work and Future Projects:
  Carrie voices her desire to return to Broadway, citing system challenges but hinting at possible revivals.

  “August: Osage County is ripe for a revival…I'd love, love, love to be back on stage. I guess we have to start a letter writing campaign or a GoFundMe or something. Make that happen.” (27:44)

• Hope for Season 3:
  She does not have news, but “sure love[s] that group of people...I would love, love to get to work with them again. Not to mention our crew. It's one of the best crews in New York.” (28:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bertha’s Worldview:

  “She believes that if you work hard and you have some ability, you should be able to work your way to the top. And then the door should be thrown open for you.” —Carrie Coon (07:24)

• Fan to Carrie:

  “You make that series. You make it, you make it. And it’s done so professionally.” —Willa Mae, Caller (09:03)

• On Black Representation:

  “I’m really moved that a young woman might look at our show and see herself in it in a way that maybe a Black girl hasn’t had that opportunity in the past.” —Carrie Coon (14:24)

• Regarding On-Set Chemistry:

  “Morgan and I...just became really good friends...so, yes, you're right. That history that we have does inform those moments.” —Carrie Coon (19:24)

• The Truth as a Weapon:

  “Bertha believes that the truth is powerful when convenient.” —Carrie Coon (22:14)

• On Costumes:

  “With Bertha, it’s always more. ...Every time I go in, she’s always adding things.” —Carrie Coon (23:44)

• On the Crew:

  “It's one of the best crews in New York...They’re just the most hard working and least complaining people I’ve ever known. And I just adore them.” —Carrie Coon (28:40)

Key Timestamps

• 05:36 – Carrie discusses adjectives for Bertha
• 06:38 – On Bertha’s backstory and class origins
• 07:24 – Carrie’s connection to Bertha’s worldview
• 08:27 – Competitiveness and background in sports
• 12:27 – Research and historical consultants
• 14:24 – On African American representation in The Gilded Age
• 15:59 – Bertha’s vulnerability in Season 2
• 17:07 – The challenge of the period accent
• 19:24 – Chemistry and collaboration with Morgan Spector (George Russell)
• 22:14 – Bertha’s pragmatism and boldness regarding her children
• 23:44 – The spectacle and meaning of costumes
• 25:06 – Spoiler territory: Bertha’s machinations regarding the Opera and her daughter
• 26:51 – Recognition for The Leftovers
• 27:44 – Carrie talks Broadway and future hopes for the stage
• 28:40 – Hopes for Season 3 and praise of the ensemble and crew

This episode provides a smart and richly textured exploration of The Gilded Age—its society, its women, its costumes, and its actors—through Carrie Coon’s wit, candor, and passionate storytelling. Highly engaging for fans and cultural commentators alike.