Betty Gilpin is seeking anti-algorithm, weird roles – and it's working

Actor Betty Gilpin discusses her recent Emmy win for *Widow's Bay* and her performance in the FX series *The Lowdown*. She reflects on the evolution of her career, noting how aging has allowed her to move beyond archetypal roles toward more authentic, vulnerable characterizations. Gilpin highlights the collaborative, ego-free environment of *The Lowdown* and explains how her upbringing with actor parents shaped her artistic philosophy, prioritizing imagination over industry status. The conversation also covers her Broadway debut in *Oh Mary* and the physical demands of her breakout role in *GLOW*. Following the interview, critic John Powers reviews the documentary *Once Upon a Time in Harlem*, which captures a 1972 gathering of Harlem Renaissance legends, underscoring the enduring relevance of the racial and artistic questions these figures debated decades ago.