Rich Heldenfels answers TV questions from reders.

Q: We loved the series “The Gilded Age” and are wondering if the house interior shots were in actual homes or were they just sets?

A: Creating 1880s New York City for the delicious HBO drama involved a variety of techniques including visual effects, set construction, location shooting and the use of historic places for interiors and exteriors. House Beautiful tallied 18 different historic homes used in the “Gilded” first season “all of which can be visited and toured in person.” Among those used for interiors are Newport, Rhode Island, sites including the Breakers, the Elms, Chateau-sur-Mer and the Hunter House.

The series, by the way, has been renewed for a second season.

Q: In the new Britbox series “Murder in Provence,” Antoine (the main character) is described as a “judge,” but he doesn't act like one. He seems to be more of a chief detective. Is he a member of the police? I never see him carry a gun or arrest anyone.

A: In the series inspired by the novels by M.L. Longworth, Antoine Verlaque (played by Roger Allam) is, according to one show description, an “investigating judge," which is different from what we think of as a judge in the United States. Several law references note that, among other things, he can oversee the collection of evidence and question witnesses.

Q: We are wondering if we can expect Gibbs back on "NCIS" any time soon.

A: This question has come up more than once from folks who apparently did not believe Gibbs's farewell in the October 2021 episode "Great Wide Open." I can understand that some confusion stems from Gibbs (played by Mark Harmon) still being in the show's opening credits. But while a surprise guest appearance is always a possibility, Gibbs and Harmon have basically moved on. When the series was renewed for its 20th season recently, CBS announced that "Sean Murray, Wilmer Valderrama, Brian Dietzen, Diona Reasonover and Katrina Law, with David McCallum, Rocky Carroll and Gary Cole, star." No Harmon listed. (By the way, CBS has also renewed "NCIS: Los Angeles" and "NCIS: Hawai'i.")

Q: Did Mahershala Ali perform the piano pieces in "Green Book"? It certainly looked as if he did, but I've not been able to find out if he is a pianist.

A: While Oscar winner Ali played renowned pianist Don Shirley in the movie, the performances in the film involved some screen magic. As Vulture reported at the time, movie-music composer Kris Bowers made recordings recreating Shirley's performances after painstaking practice: "Because he was such an incredible pianist, I wanted to make sure I played everything incredibly accurately." (Shirley had died in 2013.) Ali then pretended to play — learning some chords but focusing on the correct posture for a pianist. As a result, Bowers said, Ali "looks like he's been doing it forever."

Q: What is the status of "City on a Hill" with Kevin Bacon? He is so terrific in it.

A: The drama, which also stars Aldis Hodge, will have a new season on Showtime beginning July 10. Among the plot lines Showtime has announced for the new season: "Having left the FBI and thrown his badge into Boston Harbor, Jackie Rohr (Bacon) lands a lavish new gig running security for a wealthy family. Life is good until secrets begin to unravel. When an investigation opens, ADA Decourcy Ward (Hodge) sees an opportunity to finally rip out the machinery perpetuating a broken criminal justice system."