Bill Camp Delves Into His Darker Sides to Portray J.P. Morgan

The Gilded Age Season 3: A New Chapter of Power and Intrigue

The third season of The Gilded Age has been a whirlwind of dramatic events, from a royal wedding to a mysterious carriage accident and the rise of a young footman who becomes an inventor. Now, in episode six, the focus shifts to George Russell’s struggling railroad empire, which faces threats from market instability and betrayal by his former secretary. In response, Russell seeks the help of J.P. Morgan, portrayed by Bill Camp, to navigate the treacherous waters of the railroad industry.

J.P. Morgan is one of the few characters on the show directly inspired by a real historical figure. His return adds a layer of authenticity and intensity to the season, grounding the narrative in its historical context. Camp, known for his roles in Presumed Innocent and The Night Of, was eager to take on the role of such a towering figure in American history. “I wasn’t going for any sort of replica of the guy, but more the essence of him,” Camp explains. “In my mind, at least, he’s always been this kind of weird, mythical monstrosity.”

The Art of Portraying a Historical Figure

Camp’s approach to playing J.P. Morgan involved delving into the essence of the character rather than trying to mimic his physical appearance or mannerisms. “I didn’t want to mimic him or do a sort of portrait of him,” he says. “It was more about what Julian provided in terms of the text and how he was relating with other people.” He also avoided the common portrayal of Morgan as a boorish bully, instead aiming for a more nuanced performance that reflected the complexity of the man.

To prepare for the role, Camp visited the Morgan Library, fascinated by the banker’s love for art and books. “His appetite must have just been ginormous,” he notes. “The ownership of stuff clearly mattered to him. I think he was sort of humbled by the beauty of art and the beauty of words and great books.”

Personal Connections and Character Insights

When asked about similarities between himself and J.P. Morgan, Camp admits there are some. “There’s always the slightest bit of me that I have to access,” he says. “There’s a tiny ingredient or flavor of me, a trait, a characteristic, a memory of a thought.” He acknowledges a shared need for control and the desire to be right, though he emphasizes that these traits exist on a much smaller scale.

Camp also discusses the dynamic between his character and George Russell, played by another actor. “George Russell is really bold, and J.P. Morgan tells him that right away in episode two,” he explains. “He’s attracted to that quality in George. They are so different to the eye, the behaviorisms, but there is a kind of glowing fire that they see in each other.”

Costumes and Makeup: Crafting the Character

The visual elements of the role were crucial in helping Camp embody J.P. Morgan. “There’s a famous photo of J.P. Morgan hitting a photographer with his cane and embodying a sort of, ‘How dare you even look at me?’” he recalls. “A lot of that was brought in.” The makeup and costume design, including a notable waistcoat, helped create a believable portrayal of the character.

A Collaborative Process

Camp describes the experience of working with other actors as seamless. “Morgan and I just kind of went,” he says. “Morgan is so good that it’s really easy. Sometimes working with really brilliant actors, I find that we don’t always need to talk shit out.” He also mentions the challenges of juggling multiple projects, including Sirens, while filming The Gilded Age.

A Vision for Elizabeth Marvel

Camp also shares his thoughts on his wife, Elizabeth Marvel, and her potential role in The Gilded Age. “She wants to be on the show so badly because it just looks like so much fun,” he says. “I would love her to play my wife, but we’ll never see that.” He envisions her taking on a variety of roles, from a society woman to a rugged outdoorsy character, highlighting her versatility as an actress.