Interviewed by Smithsonian Magazine, "The Gilded Age" historical consultant Dr. Erica Armstrong Dunbar expressed how important it was that the show depict the experiences of African Americans during that era, "people who were one, maybe two generations removed from slavery." Series creator Julian Fellowes concurred, telling USA Today that "dealing with America 14 years after the end of slavery, not to have a Black storyline would be ridiculous, really."

As a result, that experience is seen by viewers through the eyes of Peggy Scott (Denée Benton), an aspiring journalist hired as personal secretary to Christine Baranski's Agnes Van Rhijn. 

As Benton recalled for USA Today, while auditioning she was asked "off the record" how she, as a Black woman, responded to the script. This, she explained, opened the door to bring her personal experience as a Black woman to help shape the character and her storyline. "I really got the opportunity to be honest about some of the things I was excited about, and some things I thought were potentially out of touch or not as authentic as they could have been," Benton said, admitting she "felt like a fierce protector of Peggy."