Who plays Mrs. Blane in The Gilded Age? Actress' career and notable projects, explored

Mrs Susan Blane was introduced in The Gilded Age Season 2 as a wealthy, unapologetic widow from Newport. Her affair with the young Larry Russell was quite daring, but unfortunately, they did not end up together.

Laura Benanti, the Tony award-winning actress and musician, portrayed Mrs Susan Blane in The Gilded Age.

Laura Benanti: From a Broadway star to The Gilded Age's Mrs. Blane

Laura Benanti needs to introduction. Born on July 15, 1979, this 46-year-old actress made her debut on Broadway around 1989. Since then, she has been a part of several notable projects in both television and the stage. She won the Tony Award in 2008 for Best Featured Actress in Gypsy: A Musical Fable.

Apart from that, she's also well known for her roles in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, In the Next Room, My Fair Lady, and Into the Woods.

You might know her as Laura Bennett from the NBC sitcom Go On, or as Sadie Stone in ABC's Nashville, or as Edie Randall in TBS' The Detour. Laura Benanti has been a part of some iconic shows, including Life & Beth, No Hard Feelings, Gossip Girl, and more.

Recently, Benanti also bagged a role in Paramount+'s thriller series Mayor of Kingstown. She will play Cindy Stephens, a newbie correctional officer in the show.

Who is Mrs Blane in The Gilded Age?

Mrs. Blane was introduced in The Gilded Age, Season 2, Episode 2, by social fixer Ward McAllister. Within minutes, she showed an interest in the young Larry Russell, played by Harry Richardson. By the end of the episode, she had hired the architect to help her renovate her home.

Susan Blane isn't a background figure; she is a narrative jolt. A widow married to a controlling older husband. After his death, instead of mourning, she celebrates her freedom.

Larry is drawn fast. Their affair isn't shy-it's direct, daring, and dangerous in a society that thrives on judgment and scandals. But Blane doesn't care. She's already endured the society rules. But when Larry's ambitious mother, Bertha Russell, interfered in their risky affair (she was not ready to put the Russell name at risk), Susan chose to end things with Larry.

Benanti plays Mrs. Blane with utmost elegance and a spark of rebellion. Honestly, except for Peggy, nobody dared to even think of bending the rules of the Gilded Age. Mrs. Blane is your widow in distress or mourning; she's not a victim. She's a strong woman who's living for herself in an age where women are expected to obey the rules of society.

Why Benanti's Mrs Blane stands out?

In a show full of corsets and conflicts, Mrs Blane breaks the mold. She's not clawing for power like Bertha Russell-she has it. She's not protecting her virtue; she's past that. What she offers instead is something that The Gilded Age needs: risk and freedom. Her romance with Larry adds depth to his arc and brings a shot to a world of scandal ruled by decorum.

Benanti plays the role effortlessly, with the right amount of poise and humor, turning Mrs. Blane into one of Season 2's most compelling figures.

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Also read: The Gilded Age has consecutively broken its own record for 3 weeks straight, details revealed

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