Louisa Jacobson Spills on Shaping Her ‘Gilded Age’ Role to Avoid Being Seen as Prudish

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from the recent episode of The Gilded Age titled “If You Want To Cook an Omelette.”

The anticipation of a light-hearted and blissful engagement quickly dissipates!

In a revealing chat with the footman Jack Trotter (Ben Ahlers), Marian (Louisa Jacobson) learns that her betrothed, Larry (Harry Richardson), may not have been entirely forthcoming about his nocturnal escapades.

Upon uncovering that Larry actually spent his evening at a brothel, she impulsively decides to dissolve their engagement through a Dear John letter while Larry is away in Arizona, attempting to salvage the family business. Here, Louisa Jacobson sheds light on her character’s rash decision and her efforts to convince the scriptwriters to clarify Marian’s reasoning for breaking it off with her suave neighbor.

DEADLINE: Let’s dive into Marian’s drastic decision to end the engagement. Is she convinced that Larry was unfaithful at that establishment?

LOUISA JACOBSON Absolutely, she believes he was. It posed a significant challenge because the audience is already aware that he was innocent, while Marian is not. Her reaction was based on the assumption that this is typical behavior for men at such places. I researched and found data from the newly formed American Health Association warning about the transmission of what were called social or venereal diseases, which could pose serious health risks at home. This wasn’t just about jealousy; it was a genuine health concern for Marian.

DEADLINE: That makes sense.

LOUISA JACOBSON It’s also about the double standards of that era. I read in a book titled Gay New York how men often escaped to places like the Haymarket and around Bowery to break free from stifling marriages. Women didn’t have that liberty; even upper-class women who visited such areas for leisure were frowned upon if they were seen without male accompaniment.

DEADLINE: And to think he did this on the night of their engagement!

LOUISA JACOBSON It was the accumulation of these factors that led her to conclude she couldn’t proceed with the marriage. At the core, trust issues stemming from her father’s past deceptions, including the discovery that her childhood home was rented, made her wary of deceitful men. Larry’s lie, whether or not he was guilty of more, was enough for her to suspect the worst.

DEADLINE: What was your initial reaction to this plot twist? Were you concerned that modern viewers might see Marian’s reaction as an overreaction?

LOUISA JACOBSON Definitely, it was my biggest concern. I pushed for additional scenes that would elucidate Marian’s underlying reasons, ensuring she wasn’t perceived merely as prudish or overly jealous. It was essential to portray her decision within the context of the era and her personal traumas.

DEADLINE: How does Bertha view Marian? Does she look down on her due to her financial status?

LOUISA JACOBSON Yes, she views Marian as impoverished and orphaned, lacking the impressive lineage that Bertha values. It takes time for Bertha to truly understand and appreciate Marian.

DEADLINE: And what about Agnes? How does Marian feel about her?

LOUISA JACOBSON Marian recognizes that Agnes is set in her ways and unlikely to change. However, she respects Agnes’s stance on women’s suffrage and her generally accurate judgments regarding Marian’s romantic interests. This recognition makes Marian wonder if perhaps trusting Agnes’s judgment might simplify her life, rather than constantly battling against societal expectations on her own.