Ep 4. Cast and Creator of Mad Men

Cast and Creator of Mad Men is the fourth episode of the eighteenth season of Inside the Actors Studio. This episode features the cast and creator of the award-winning television drama series Mad Men, which aired from 2007 to 2015.

The host of Inside the Actors Studio, James Lipton, sits down with series creator Matthew Weiner and cast members Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Vincent Kartheiser, and Jessica Paré to discuss their experiences working on the show. The conversation touches on a variety of topics including the casting process, character development, and the show's portrayal of the 1960s.

Weiner recounts how he initially pitched the idea for the show to AMC and his struggles to get the show greenlit. He also discusses how he came up with the characters and storylines for the series, and the various challenges he faced over the course of its seven seasons.

The cast members reflect on their experiences auditioning for their roles, and the process of developing their characters over the course of the show's run. Hamm shares how he prepared for the role of Don Draper, and the adjustments he made as the character evolved throughout the series. Moss talks about the evolution of her character Peggy Olson, and the challenges of portraying a working woman in the male-dominated advertising industry of the 1960s.

The conversation also delves into the show's portrayal of gender and race, and the ways in which it tackled issues such as sexism, racism, and homophobia. Hendricks talks about the challenges of playing Joan Holloway, a woman whose sexuality was often weaponized against her in the workplace. The cast also reflects on the show's depiction of the Civil Rights Movement, and the complexities of portraying a primarily white, upper-middle-class world during a time of significant social change.

Throughout the episode, the cast and creator share anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories from the filming of Mad Men, providing viewers with a deeper understanding of the show's creative process and the work that went into bringing it to life. Cast and Creator of Mad Men is a fascinating exploration of one of the most acclaimed and groundbreaking television dramas of the past decade.