'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAf/xAAfEAACAQQCAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAhEAAwQhBQYVQXH/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/8QAGBEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMBMYH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AJ+ULYWZyFhgL1i0lpgyzsgvI3oQIj3Uvfs/Ms7N5HIWTMK0AfKUoV3OCsP/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Mad Men, directed by Alan Taylor and written by Matthew Weiner, is still one of the most talked-about series even years after its release. The series features Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, and Vincent Kartheiser in the main leads.
The series takes place in 1960s New York and follows people at an ad agency, showing their jobs and personal lives. Mad Men gained 8.2 stars on IMDb, making it a worldwide hit after its release.
When it first aired in 2007, the show introduced characters who made the story come alive and set the mood for the drama. Let’s have a look at the main characters and the roles they played in the first episode.
Mad Men Season 1 Episode 1 cast and characters explored
Jon Hamm as Don Draper: Don is the main character of Mad Men. He is seen as a handsome ad executive who is the creative director of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. However, his life is not as perfect as it seems, as he also hides secrets. Plus, he is brilliant at making ads. Not to forget, his real name is not Don but Richard Whitman, pretending to be an officer who had passed away in the Korean War.
Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson: Peggy is Don’s assistant in the series. Thanks to her talent, she soon becomes a top copywriter in the company and also a copy chief later on. Overall, she’s a nervous yet ambitious girl trying to survive a new job. Peggy’s changing wardrobe shows her journey to confidence and independence, which makes her important and reflects how women’s roles were starting to change in the 1960s.
Vincent Kartheiser as Pete Campbell: Son of Andrew Campbell and Dorothy Dyckman, Pete comes from a wealthy background. He works as an account executive and can do anything for authority, even if it means blackmailing the main character. Pete also went to Deerfield Academy and Dartmouth College and joined the group of young executives from wealthy families.
January Jones as Betty Draper: Betty is Don’s wife and the mother of his kids. However, the couple soon ends their marriage, with Betty marrying another character in Mad Men named Henry Francis. (Note: Betty’s lung cancer occurs in later seasons, not Season 1.)
Christina Hendricks as Joan Holloway: Joan is an office manager who is very confident and knows exactly what she wants. Her character is also involved in a complicated on-and-off romance with Roger at work.
Maggie Siff as Rachel Menken: Rachel is the daughter of Abraham Menken, who later owns the family’s department store with her father. She is also linked romantically to Don.
Bryan Batt as Salvatore Romano: Salvatore Romano plays the role of the agency's art director.
Michael Gladis as Paul Kinsey: Paul is a copywriter who considers himself intellectual and perfect.
Aaron Staton as Ken Cosgrove: Ken is an aspiring author in the series and also an account executive in Mad Men.
Rich Sommer as Harry Crane: Rich is in charge of the TV department at Don’s agency.
Remy Auberjonois as Dr. Emerson: A doctor who helps Joan Holloway with birth control and pregnancy advice.
Darren Pettie as Lee Garner, Jr.: Lee Garner, Jr. is a bossy and controlling executive from Lucky Strike who often clashes with the ad team.
Rosemarie DeWitt as Midge Daniels: Midge is a strong, career-focused artist who rejects traditional life and shares a complicated relationship with Don.
John Cullum as Lee Garner, Sr.: Lee Garner, Sr. is the owner of Lucky Strike and the father of Lee Garner, Jr. He is involved in major company decisions.
John Slattery as Roger Sterling: Roger is often seen in tailored suits. He is the managing partner at Sterling Cooper and Don’s boss. He plays a big role in business deals and shares a complicated romance with Joan. in Mad Men.
What happens in Mad Men Season 1 Episode 1?
In the first episode, we follow Don Draper, a top executive at Sterling Cooper. Although he is great at coming up with pitches, he struggles to find ideas for the Lucky Strike ad.
Meanwhile, it’s Peggy’s first day at work as Don’s secretary, and she is trying to fit in with the new office culture. Joan Holloway gives her advice on the job and how to survive office life, while Pete Campbell takes notice of Peggy.
Don later meets a client, Rachel Menken, who challenges him to think differently. At the Lucky Strike meeting, Don comes up with the slogan, which resolves the tricky situation. The episode shows a forming bond between Don and Rachel, as the two share a cigarette. The episode ends with Don returning home and spending moments with his family.
Trending
Follow Soap Central for more updates!
Also Read: Love & Death: What happened to Candace Montgomery and where is she now? Details explored
Reply
