Despite her wealth and status, Mrs. Chamberlain is an undesired figure in The Gilded Age’s high society — here’s why.
When it feels like it’s all about money in HBO’s historical drama The Gilded Age, it’s also quickly reminded that the reputation might be even more important.
This is what the show’s characters are seen struggling with throughout all three seasons, with Carrie Coon’s Bertha Russell becoming a central figure seeking ways to hide her dark deeds and receive a warm welcome in the 1880s New York City society.
The one that doesn’t seem to try that hard, however, is Mrs. Chamberlain, a socialite that was nowhere to be found ever since The Gilded Age’s season 1 wrapped.
Despite her relatively brief role, Mrs. Chamberlain’s presence still served as a powerful message about the era’s social rules.
Who Portrays Mrs. Chamberlain in ‘The Gilded Age’?
In the show’s first season, the character is portrayed by Jeanne Tripplehorn who previously appeared in CBS’ police drama show Criminal Minds and the Sharon Stone-led erotic thriller Basic Instinct.
Tripplehorn’s Mrs. Chamberlain is described as a wealthy widow and an enigmatic art collector who, despite her status, doesn’t really go along with nearly any other member of the high society.
The character is believed to be inspired by Arabella Huntington, a real-life person and wealthy widow who at some point married her late husband’s nephew and eventually became an even bigger person in the art world during the American Gilded Age.
Why Is Mrs. Chamberlain Portrayed As an Outcast?
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Despite the character appearing quite frequently at the high society’s reunions in season 1, it’s pretty clear that she isn’t very welcome there.
In fact, Mrs. Chamberlain is introduced as a character with a potentially dark past, causing some rumours about her being involved in her husband’s death.
However, it’s also possible that Mrs. Chamberlain was distinct from the rest of the community and was prone to thinking in a more progressive way, something that wasn’t a good sign in the society as well.
Anyway, The Gilded Age never reveals why exactly the character earned such a reputation and was suspected of some horrendous deed all along.
After the show’s season 1 ended, Mrs. Chamberlain wasn’t seen at the gatherings anymore, which might be the sign of her being pushed out of the creme de la creme once and for all.
