Interview by Laasya Gadiyaram
Fresh off a standout year, The Gilded Age star Louisa Jacobson reflects on the thrill of being part of a sweeping historical drama and the creative rewards of playing Marian Brook. Between filming HBO’s lush, high-society saga and starring in the off-Broadway play Trophy Boys, Jacobson has navigated career milestones with a blend of gratitude, curiosity, and craft. In this conversation, she opens up about her character’s evolution, the historical inspirations behind her performance, and the beauty products she now swears by.
Jacket, Skirt, & Shirt: We Were Once Friends
Coat: Jane Wade, Earrings: Presley Oldham
LG: Congratulations on The Gilded Age! How does it feel to be part of such a grand production?
LJ: Thank you! It feels wonderful. I pinch myself every day that I’m part of such an interesting show. It really is a gift for an actor to work on a series of this caliber that gets renewed. You get the chance to keep building a relationship with your character over time. It’s also an incredible opportunity to deepen the ensemble dynamic with the other amazing actors. Over the past five years, we’ve grown and expanded together, and our characters’ relationships have become rich with shared history. Creatively, that’s a gift.
Coat, Dress & Pumps: Thom Browne
LG: This has been a big year for you with your roles in The Gilded Age and Materialists. How have you navigated these major career milestones?
LJ: I just try to be present and soak up these experiences. I don’t take anything for granted. I see these jobs as opportunities to keep learning and exploring.
LG: What initially drew you to the role of Marian Brook?
LJ: I got the audition for The Gilded Age while performing in Romeo and Juliet at the Old Globe in San Diego. I had just graduated from the Yale School of Drama, so I was eager to work, and this seemed like a dream job. I wasn’t going to pass on that audition. I was drawn to the project as a whole. I had been enamored with Downton Abbey when it first came out and was already a fan of Julian Fellowes. His ability to establish rich relationships between characters so quickly is remarkable. After one episode of Downton, I felt like I knew everyone personally. I loved being transported back in time, so auditioning for Marian was a no-brainer. Over time, I’ve grown to deeply appreciate her.
Jacket, Skirt, & Shirt: We Were Once Friends
Blue Sweater Coat: Jane Wade, Denim Jeans: Hyke, Shoes: Tibi, Silver Necklace: Belén Kröl, Black Bra: Tropic of C
LG: How would you describe Marian’s evolution from Season 1 to now?
LJ: She arrived in New York in Season 1 completely broke, mourning her father, timid, and lost but still open to a new life. Over these seasons, we’ve seen her make friends, reconnect with her estranged aunts, fall in love, face heartbreak, and find passion in work and art. She’s a curious, observant, modern woman navigating a rapidly changing New York. While she’s part of society, she isn’t completely tethered to it. Marian has a fire inside her, always searching for meaningful ways to channel it.
LG: The Gilded Age explores big themes like class, gender, and progress. What resonates most with you?
LJ: This season, the gender theme stands out. In nearly every storyline, especially Gladys and Aurora Fane’s, we see how little agency women had over their own destinies. They couldn’t vote, and once married, they couldn’t own property. Women were subject to strict societal expectations rooted in patriarchy. Season 3 really shows how these powerful female characters push back against those limitations, each in their own way.
Leather jacket, black top and pink skirt: Tibi
LG: Marian is bold and forward-thinking for her time. Which aspects of her personality do you connect with most?
LJ: We both have trust issues, that’s one thing. But I also connect with her curiosity, her observational nature, and her determination to create a meaningful life that aligns with her values. She’s extremely thoughtful, which I relate to as well.
LG: How did you prepare to embody a young woman in 1880s New York?
LJ: I read novels by Edith Wharton and Henry James. I watched Jane Campion’s The Portrait of a Lady, Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence, and Terence Davies’ The House of Mirth. I also watched documentaries and listened to history podcasts about New York. The Bowery Boys is a favorite. There’s so much to draw from.
Coat & Dress: Thom Browne
LG: The costumes and sets are stunning. How do they influence your performance?
LJ: Costumes are essential. Wearing a corset immediately changes the way I move and carry myself. The level of detail from the props and set design teams is extraordinary. There’s always something in my surroundings that grounds me in the time and place.
LG: Period dramas often mean long days in the chair. What’s your skincare routine like on set?
LJ: Luckily, our look is more natural, so makeup doesn’t take too long. The wig and styling take more time, about 1.5 hours total in hair and makeup. I use that time to review lines and focus. At home, I remove makeup with micellar water and use a gentle cleanser.
Coat & Dress: Thom Browne
Blue Sweater Coat: Jane Wade, Denim Jeans: Hyke, Silver Necklace: Belén Kröl, Black Bra: Tropic of C
LG: Any beauty products you discovered on set that you now swear by?
LJ: Yes! In Fiore calendula oil is incredible at night. I love all of Doctor Rogers’ products. I use the entire skincare line daily. Paula’s Choice exfoliating toner is another favorite, and Joanna Vargas’ vitamin C serum is fantastic. I never go anywhere without Elta sunscreen.
LG: Who do you look to for beauty inspiration?
LJ: All of my best friends!
LG: Your work in The Gilded Age and Trophy Boys both touch on gender roles, but in very different ways. Can you tell us about the play?
LJ: Trophy Boys was an incredible chance to stretch my range. It was such a welcome challenge to embody someone with a completely different rhythm than Marian. That’s the joy of this work. And I love returning to the stage. You live with the play, finding ways to keep it alive and revelatory every night.