'%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/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQI/8QAHxAAAQQBBQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgABAwQSFCFBUWKS/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA//EABcRAQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAhH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AM63p485TqwNHWc2YQIsiHbvlQal/X0iIM5OSq3/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Gilded Age has wrapped its third season with a finale that left fans talking and marked a turning point for Jack Trotter, played by Ben Ahlers. His invention changed his life, yet his heart remains tied to the world he came from.
In a conversation with Variety, Ahlers shared how Jack's mix of humility and ambition shapes his path, why he resists the excesses of high society, and how the finale sets the stage for a future that's anything but predictable.
While exploring and talking about this so-called high society and his newfound wealth, Ben Ahlers says,
"The high society is absolutely absurd. It's hard to watch these people come in with their hats and first-world problems...."
Read below to find out more.
Jack Trotter’s rise without losing his roots
From the moment Jack Trotter appeared in The Gilded Age's first season, audiences saw a man with quiet charm and steady values. Season 3 put those qualities to the test when Jack's homemade alarm clock brought him $300,000 and a ticket to a new life.
Yet rather than rushing into the elite circles of 1880s New York, Jack remained close to the Van Rhijn household, where his story began.
Ben Ahlers, speaking to Variety during a road trip, laughed at how the show captures "low-stakes drama" that still grips viewers. Recalling a dinner party scene from an earlier season, he said,
"Those subtleties are still able to hook us some somehow. I was actually holding my breath when that that rogue footman was delivering the bad soup. It’s like a warm cup of tea when most of our art seems to be so confronting and provocative."
That ability to turn small tensions into compelling television, Ahlers noted, is a hallmark of creator Julian Fellowes' work.
Jack's approach to his newfound wealth reflects that same subtlety. While others in his position might indulge in the absurd rituals of high society, Ahlers admitted,
"It’s hard to watch these people come in with their hats and first- world problems and not take the piss out of them a bit. For the downstairs people, there’s a bonding force in a group that live very mundane lives on a strict routine, catering to others."
For Jack, joy comes from shared moments with people who understand a simpler way of life even as he steps into an uncertain future.
The Gilded Age's finale hints at love, invention, and change
The Gilded Age Season 3 finale gave fans a glimpse of what Jack's next chapter could look like. He has had a complete rags-to-riches journey and he now owns a home, complete with staff, but one of the warmest moments came when Bridget, played by Taylor Richardson, visited him for dinner. Their shared history, including Jack's unspoken feelings from Season 1, suddenly seemed full of possibility.
Yet romance isn't the only thing on Jack's horizon in The Gilded Age. Even with wealth in his pocket, he's not ready to settle. Ahlers said,
"I remember Jack saying to Larry, after they sell the clock, that he thought he'd be working on this his entire life...He's got a blank slate now, and that's both scary and exciting."
That blend of fear and opportunity mirrors the American spirit of the era, where there is a drive to create without chasing empty status.
Outside The Gilded Age screen, Ahlers has been stepping into new spaces himself, from fashion week to filming Little Brother alongside John Cena and Eric André. He approaches these rooms, much like Jack would, with curiosity rather than intimidation. He reflected by saying,
"Life has kind of manifested beyond my wildest dreams, so l'm humbled and grounded..."
Even in the most glamorous settings, he sees the humor in it all,
"We'd have a lot more fun if we were in on the bit.'
Jack Trotter's journey in The Gilded Age is a mix of ambition, restraint, and his personal loyalty. As Ben Ahlers makes it clear, the character isn't running behind spectacle, but rather he's chasing meaning.
With Season 3 closing on a mix of success, possible romance, and a wide-open future, Jack stands as one of the show's most grounded yet quietly daring figures.
If The Gilded Age season 3 finale proved anything, it's that his story is far from finished.
Trending
Stay tuned to SoapCentral for more.
Reply
