Hortense Bellacourt

Hortense Jefferson Library Bellacourtundefined is the eldest Bellacourt sibling. She is played by Lauren Ash, and was originally played by Artemis Pebdani in the pilot episode. "Hore" is Lillian and Beatrice's progressive, "barren," homely, virgin, unmarried, and old maid eldest sister. Dodo and Commodore are both embarrassed by her unattractiveness and large figure, and "pray her life will be blessedly short." Hortense acts as the satire of the radical feminist, calling for women's suffrage, and is a member of the Women's Temperance League as well as the Newport Association of Gal Spinsters (N.A.G.S.). All three sisters' names demonstrate their personalities in a literal way, with Hore's being in the foundations of American democracy and her innate bookishness. Hortense's lack of admirable or desirable qualities in this time period make her as ugly as her appearance (which includes a large mole and glasses). She often stretches the boundaries of what is considered acceptable for the time period, including having a relationship with a black man, attempting to abort a child, exercising, reading, being politically active, being business savvy, and expressing an interest in a career by becoming a writer. Hortense is jealous of her two younger sisters because of their wealth, power, and position, but is also upset by their vapidity and refusal to understand the importance of votes for women or to appreciate the many famous historical figures that grace their home (like Helen Keller, Mark Twain, and Sigmund Freud). Although Hortense is the most liberal character, she shares the family ruthlessness and exposes the family to ridicule by selling their story to the papers.