Carrie Coon Likes to ‘Play the Baddie’ in ‘The Gilded Age’


Carrie Coon embraces her role as the ambitious Bertha Russell in "The Gilded Age." She describes the delight in portraying a character so different from herself and discusses Bertha's relentless ambition, fierce determination, and complex motivations. Coon reflects on the challenges and joys of playing a character steeped in melodrama and sociopolitical dynamics.


Carrie Coon Likes to ‘Play the Baddie’ in ‘The Gilded Age’ Carrie Coon, known for her roles in "The Leftovers" and "Fargo," takes on the character of Bertha Russell in "The Gilded Age." She embraces the challenge of portraying a new-money upstart in 1880s New York City. Coon's character, Bertha, is determined to join Manhattan’s elite and is unafraid to make big, bold choices. In Season 2, Bertha takes her fight to join Manhattan’s elite to the opera, sponsoring the nascent Metropolitan Opera as an alternative to the Academy of Music, which won’t accept her new money. Coon’s portrayal of Bertha is described as full-bodied and deep-voiced, and she enjoys the feeling of taking over a space. Coon discusses Bertha's ambition, her sacrifices for social standing, and the limits to her ambition. She also reflects on the freedom of playing a character so different from herself and the challenges of portraying big theatrical scenes. The season focuses on the real-life battle between the Academy of Music and the nascent Metropolitan Opera, which is seen as a proxy war for the struggle between old and new money. The article concludes with Coon's thoughts on Bertha's triumph and her inevitable rise as the show explores a time of industry, change, and growth. Adblock test (Why?)
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