You’ve seen him. That polished, almost too-perfect smile and the way he commands a room in Wellsbury. He’s the guy who seems like he stepped straight out of a Brooks Brothers catalog and into the mayor’s office. Mayor Paul Randolph, played by the consistently charming Scott Porter, is easily one of the most layered characters in the Netflix hit Ginny & Georgia. But honestly, most fans just see him as the "stable guy" or the "good guy" contrasted against Georgia Miller’s chaotic, murderous past.
That’s a mistake.
If you really look at the way Paul operates, he isn't just a placeholder or a romantic foil. He’s a shark. A polite, well-dressed, Massachusetts shark. There is a specific kind of ambition that drives a man like Paul Randolph, and it isn't always as sunshine-and-rainbows as his campaign posters suggest.
Why Mayor Paul Randolph Isn’t Just Your Average TV Politician
Most TV mayors are one of two things: they’re either bumbling idiots who need their staff to tie their shoes (think Randall Winston in Spin City), or they’re mustache-twirling villains. Paul is neither. He’s incredibly competent. He’s the youngest mayor in Wellsbury history, a guy who actually knows how to leverage a budget and win over a skeptical constituent.
People often get him wrong by thinking he’s being "saved" by Georgia or that he’s a victim of her schemes.
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Think about it. Paul knew something was off with Georgia from the jump. He’s a politician; he sniffs out leverage for a living. The truth is, Paul was drawn to Georgia precisely because she has the "teeth" that his public-facing persona lacks. He doesn't just love her; he recognizes her as a political asset. In Season 2, when he stands by her after finding out about some of her "indiscretions," it’s not just love. It’s a power move. He’s building a dynasty, and every dynasty needs a queen who isn't afraid to get her hands dirty.
The Scott Porter Effect
It’s hard not to bring up Scott Porter when talking about why this character works. If you’re a TV nerd, you know him as Jason Street from Friday Night Lights or George Tucker from Hart of Dixie. He has this innate ability to play "The Golden Boy" with a hint of something else lurking beneath the surface.
In Ginny & Georgia, he uses that preppy charm as a weapon.
You see it in the way he handles the school board or how he reacts when Georgia’s past finally starts catching up with her at the end of Season 2 and throughout Season 3. He doesn't just crumble. He calculates. There is a specific scene in the Season 3 finale—no spoilers for the uninitiated, but let’s just say things get dark—where you see the "Mayor" mask slip. It’s not pretty. He admits that Georgia has brought out a side of him that he usually keeps tucked away under expensive suits and policy talk.
The Complicated Reality of the Wellsbury Mayor’s Office
Wellsbury is basically a character itself. It’s this idyllic, wealthy enclave where everything looks perfect but everyone is miserable. Paul is the face of that. He represents the "old guard" but with a modern, progressive face.
One thing people consistently miss?
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Paul’s relationship with Austin. While everyone is focused on the Georgia/Paul wedding drama, his bond with Georgia’s son is one of the few places where we see Paul’s actual humanity. He’s a guy who wants a family, but he wants it on his terms. He wants to be the savior. There’s a bit of an ego there—a "White Knight" syndrome that makes him feel like he can fix the broken Miller family.
Breaking Down the Power Dynamics
- The Campaign: Paul’s reelection wasn't just about policy; it was about image.
- The Marriage: Is it love or a strategic alliance? Honestly, it's a bit of both, which is why it’s so messy.
- The Rivalry: His tension with Zion isn't just about Georgia; it's about two different types of masculinity. Zion is the free-spirited "cool" dad, and Paul is the "structure."
Basically, Paul is the personification of the American Dream—if the American Dream was built on a few secrets and a lot of political maneuvering.
What Really Happened in Season 3
If you’ve kept up with the latest episodes, you know the vibe has shifted. The arrest at the end of Season 2 changed the math for Paul. He’s no longer just the popular mayor; he’s the husband of a suspected murderer. In the 2025-2026 landscape of the show, Paul has had to choose between his career and his wife.
He chose himself. Sorta.
Watching him navigate the fallout of Georgia’s trial is fascinating because he starts to use the same "dirty" tactics she used. He becomes the very thing he claimed to hate. It’s a classic fall-from-grace arc, but it’s played so subtly that you almost miss it. He’s still wearing the same ties. He’s still giving the same speeches. But the eyes? The eyes are different.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Writers
If you're watching Ginny & Georgia or trying to write characters like Mayor Paul Randolph, there are a few things you can take away from how this character is built:
Don't write "good" characters. Paul is a great example of why "good" is boring. He is interesting because he is principled but also ambitious. Those two things often clash. If you're writing a character, give them a public face and a private hunger that don't quite match up.
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Pay attention to the subtext of "stability." In the world of TV drama, stability is often a lie. When a character like Paul offers Georgia a "normal life," he’s really offering her a cage. Understanding that power dynamic makes the show way more rewarding to watch.
Look at the cost of the "clean" life. Paul’s biggest struggle is maintaining his reputation while being associated with chaos. This is a universal theme. How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice to keep up appearances?
Next time you’re binging the show, stop looking at Paul as the "boring" one. He’s arguably the most dangerous person in Wellsbury because he has the law, the money, and the charm to hide whatever he’s doing. Keep an eye on the recall election rumors and how he handles the Fuller family’s influence. The "Golden Boy" isn't so golden anymore, and that’s exactly why he’s finally becoming the character we need him to be.