The Gilded Age's Ben Ahlers Reacts to His 'Clock Twink' Nickname, Talks First Meeting With Co-Star Christine Baranski

Ben Ahlers is opening up about The Gilded Age following the season three finale.

The 28-year-old actor portrays Jack Trotter, who was originally named John Treacher, in the HBO series, and has earned the nickname “Clock Twink” on social media.

In a new interview, Ben dished on what he thinks about the nickname (his girlfriend weighs in too!), and he also gushed about his first meeting with Christine Baranski, who played his boss in the first two seasons.

Keep reading to find out more…

“Listen, I’m a theater kid. I studied musical theater in Michigan, so I feel so loved by my community. If I’m in the same conversation as ‘Railroad Daddy,’ I welcome it completely,” Ben told Variety.

If you don’t know, “Railroad Daddy” refers to Morgan Spector‘s George Russell.

Ben‘s girlfriend, Broadway star Michaela Diamond loves the nickname, saying, “No complaints. 10 out of 10.”

Ben also shared what it was like meeting co-star Christine Baranski for the first time.

“We had never met, and we were about to head to set one day and she was walking out of her dressing room and we crossed paths in the hallway,” he recalled. “She looked me up and down and said, ‘Boy, we are getting our money’s worth with you.’ I can die happy now.”

“She’s the best, hands down. And she’s so grateful, and still has this Buffalo, New York sense of humor,” Ben added of working with Christine. “She likes to have a good time, and she brings great discipline to the work in a way that’s informative and inspiring. She’s effortless.”

In case you missed it, with The Gilded Age season three finished, find out if Ben will return for season four!