Morgan Spector on The Gilded Age Season 3, Playing George Russell, and Historical Context

The Gilded Age Season 3: George Russell's Ambitions

• 🎯 George Russell is expanding his railroad empire westward in Season 3, seeking to acquire land from local miners.
• 💡 His wife, Bertha, is focused on marrying their daughter off to a Duke, creating a domestic contrast to George's business pursuits.

Character Development and Inspiration

• 🎭 Morgan Spector initially felt he wouldn't fit into Julian Fellowes' world but found a connection to George Russell's structured masculinity, likening the character to Clark Gable.
• 💰 Spector's portrayal of George is informed by the biography of Jay Gould, a historical figure who rose from modest beginnings and took a tannery by force.
• 🧠 This background, particularly Gould's forceful acquisition of the tannery, provides a seed for George's character, highlighting a leader whose power is not far removed from physical force.

George Russell's Myopia and Ruthlessness

• ⚠️ Spector believes both George and Bertha are myopic about the limits of their power and the consequences of their actions, with George taking excessive risks in his pursuit of the transcontinental railroad.
• ⚡ The character's duality is explored, showing a ruthless businessman with a softer side towards his children, a trait Spector views as an ordinary form of compartmentalization, albeit with larger-scale consequences.

The Craft of Acting in Period Drama

• 🎭 Spector describes the learning curve of embodying characters with heightened language and movement, comparing the initial feeling to putting on a "wet bathing suit."
• 🤝 He shares a deep personal and professional respect with co-star Carrie Coon, noting their prior work together and shared personal lives as foundational to their on-screen chemistry.
• 👔 Costumes are a significant part of the transformation, with tailored suits and waistcoats creating an elegant posture, though the narrow shoes present a challenge.

Historical Context and Social Commentary

• ✊ Spector discusses his documentary "The Big Scary S- Word," exploring the resurgence of socialism and its historical roots in American labor movements.
• 🗣️ He sees The Gilded Age as an opportunity to spur discussion on wealth inequality and the labor struggles of the 19th century, a topic he discussed with creator Julian Fellowes.
• 🏛️ Filming in locations like Albany and Troy has deepened his appreciation for New York's architecture, prompting questions about the original purpose and history of buildings.