Carrie Coon recently completed an impossible acting challenge — switching between two very different TV worlds in just two days.
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Carrie Coon’s Costume stress and jet lag havoc
“I went from one set to the other in 48 hours,” Carrie told PEOPLE, referring to her fast-paced transition — from the modern Thai resort of White Lotus to Gilded Age 1880s New York.
“I was totally unprepared and didn’t even have costumes because I had been out of the country for six months.”
Time travel from Thailand
The actress was in Thailand shooting as Laurie, part of a toxic friend group in HBO’s vacation satire.
Before she knew it, she was back in the U.S., ready to step into Bertha Russell’s corsets and voluminous gowns.
Nightgown saved my life
Thankfully, the Gilded Age team had her back. “The best part was that they decided to shoot all my bedroom scenes first,” Carrey said.
“The first couple of days I was in just my nightgown and robes. They slowly brought me back into the role.”
Feeling like a wet swimsuit
Despite the help, getting back into character wasn’t easy. Carrey explains it perfectly: “Have you ever put on a wet swimsuit? It feels weird.
But you know it’s yours, so you don’t panic. But it doesn’t feel good either. Once you’re in the water, it’s all fine.”
Stranger in my own character
“I felt like a stranger in my own family,” she said of returning to her Gilded Age character.
“I asked them for a little more time because everything happens so fast on TV, and I needed time to figure out how to talk, how to walk.”
No concessions at home
Even her real family — a 7-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter she shares with husband Tracy Letts — showed no sympathy during the hectic transition.
“I have two kids and they didn’t care if I had jet lag, or if I needed to rest or work,” Carrie joked.
Watch Carrie Coon’s stellar performance in The Gilded Age Season 3, premiering Sunday at 9 p.m. on HBO and Max.