S1 Ep.8: “Tucked Up in Newport” with Denée Benton and Bob Shaw
Mar 15, 2022
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Denée Benton, shaping Peggy's storyline, joins the hosts to discuss her character's development. Bob Shaw, the production designer, talks about the creative decisions made for the show. They explore the lavish mansions and activities of the Gilded Age in Newport, Rhode Island. Topics also include the tragic Pestigo fire, dinner parties, controversial socialites, and the dynamics of servants' living conditions. The chapter on recreating an erased world and the transformative experience of working with other actors is also discussed.
Newport, Rhode Island became a popular summer destination for the wealthy during the Gilded Age, with grand summer homes and exclusive locations like Bellevue Avenue.
Peggy's decision to leave the Van Rijn house highlights her determination to forge her own path despite societal challenges faced as a Black woman.
The production design of The Gilded Age series aimed for authenticity while balancing detail to create opulent houses that enhance the storyline.
Deep dives
George Russell's legal troubles and Miss Ainsley's connection to Mr. Dixon
George Russell faces a court hearing for a train derailment, and his team is unable to find evidence against Mr. Dixon, the man who profited from the incident. However, Marion spots George's stenographer, Miss Ainsley, at a store and learns that Mrs. Dixon is her alias. Miss Ainsley reveals in court that she is Dixon's wife and clarifies that George's incriminating letter was about an office renovation, not the train incident.
Newport, the summer playground for the elite
The episode explores Newport, Rhode Island as a popular summer destination for the wealthy during the Gilded Age. Bellevue Avenue becomes an exclusive location for grand summer homes, with Ward McAllister, a prominent figure, encouraging Mrs. Astor and others in high society to summer in Newport. The episode highlights the McAllister's Bayside Farm and discusses the rise of Newport as a resort town for the elite.
Peggy's departure from the Van Rijn house
Peggy decides to leave the Van Rijn house after Armstrong violates her privacy by reading her personal letter. While Agnes Van Rijn initially contemplates firing Armstrong instead, Peggy insists on leaving to focus on her writing career. The scene showcases the growing respect and friendship between Peggy and Agnes, as well as Peggy's determination to forge her own path despite the challenges she faces as a Black woman in society.
Insight into the Production Design
The podcast episode delves into the meticulous production design of the Gilded Age series, highlighting the efforts to create opulent houses that accurately portray the wealth of the characters. The production designer, Bob Shaw, explains how they aimed for authenticity while also ensuring that the sets didn't distract from the focus on the dialogue and storyline. Shaw discusses the challenge of balancing the level of detail to appeal to contemporary eyes, using a collage of different architectural inspirations to create the grand houses depicted in the show. Additionally, the podcast reveals the behind-the-scenes details of specific locations used for various scenes, such as the fairy terminal and train station.
Peggy's Complex Family Dynamics
The podcast explores the complex relationship between Peggy and her parents, played by Dene Benton, Audra McDonald, and John Douglas Thompson. Dene Benton discusses the depth of her character and the responsibility she feels in portraying Peggy's story, particularly as a representation of underrepresented black stories on screen. She emphasizes how Peggy's journey challenges the narrative of excellence as the sole measure of worth for black individuals. Benton also highlights the importance of showcasing black interiority and the nuances of the power dynamics within Peggy's family. The podcast concludes with Benton sharing her admiration for Audra McDonald and the significance of playing her daughter on screen.
In part one, hosts Alicia Malone (TCM) and Tom Meyers (The Bowery Boys) recap episode 8 and explore “the city by the sea” -- Newport, Rhode Island. They discuss the lavish mansions built and purchased by New York’s elite during the Gilded Age and the activities they engaged in during their stay.
In Part two, they are joined by Denée Benton (Peggy Scott) to discuss Denée’s role in actively shaping Peggy’s storyline and character development, and production designer Bob Shaw to discuss the technical and creative decisions he and his crew had to make while designing for the production.
Watch The Gilded Age on HBO Max, and subscribe to The Official Gilded Age Podcast so you don’t miss an episode.
