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Taylor Dearden

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Taylor Dearden
Born
Taylor Dearden Cranston

(1993-02-12) February 12, 1993 (age 33)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Southern California (BA)
OccupationActress
Years active2010–present
Parents
RelativesJoseph Cranston (paternal grandfather)

Taylor Dearden Cranston (born February 12, 1993) is an American actress. She plays Dr. Melissa "Mel" King in HBO Max's The Pitt. She also played Ophelia in the MTV show Sweet/Vicious[1] and Chloe Lyman in the second season of Netflix's American Vandal.

Early life and education

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Taylor Dearden Cranston was born in Los Angeles, California, on February 12, 1993.[2] She is the daughter of actors Bryan Cranston and Robin Gale Dearden.[3][4] Her paternal grandfather was producer and actor Joseph Cranston.[5][6] In 2015, she graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in theater.[7][8][9]

Career

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Dearden's first on-screen appearance was in the Breaking Bad episode "No Más". Although her father directed the episode, he claimed that he did not cast her in the role (listed in the credits as "Sad Faced Girl").[10] This appearance occurred in 2010.[11]

From 2013 to 2014, Dearden portrayed the character McKenzie in two seasons of the web series 101 Ways to Get Rejected.[12] The show was created and written by fellow USC student Susie Yankou and was directed by Mike Effenberger.[13]

Her first major television role came with the MTV show Sweet/Vicious.[14] Following in audition in Los Angeles, Dearden was cast as Ophelia, a college student who avenges rape victims.[15] The show lasted for one season.[16] Creator Jennifer Kaytin Robinson praised Dearden and her co-star Eliza Bennett, saying, "Our schedule was not easy and they did not get a lot of takes, but you would never know it because they're so incredible. We couldn't have made the show without them."[17] Reviewers praised Dearden for the comedic skills she displayed in the role.[18][19]

In 2018, Dearden appeared in season two of the Netflix mockumentary American Vandal, where she played the character Chloe Lyman, a student who invites the crew to investigate a mystery at her high school.[20] Her performance in this role was positively received, and Daniel Fienberg, writing for The Hollywood Reporter, was disappointed that she was not better utilised in the show.[21][22][23]

She portrays Dr. Melissa King in the 2025 HBO Max medical drama The Pitt[24] and was nominated for the Astra TV Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series[25] and the Dorian Award for Best Supporting TV Performance[26] in that role. She was also nominated for Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series at the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards.[27] In January 2026, Dearden appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! [28] In March 2026, Dearden won an Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, for The Pitt. In April 2026, Dearden appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[29]

Personal life

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Dearden revealed in 2025 that she has ADHD, which was diagnosed during her childhood.[30][31][32] She has described how this influenced her portrayal of Dr. Mel King, and how the fast-paced filming of The Pitt has been challenging to her as a neurodivergent actress.[33] She also has Ehlers–Danlos syndrome.[34]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2012 Red Handed Jo Short film
Co-executive producer
2013 The Fourth Wall Danielle Short film
2015 The Cigarette N/a Short film
Director
2016 Smash Face Helen Short film
2017 Heartthrob Cleo
2020 The Last Champion Joanna Miller
2025 Ok Mom Hannah Short film

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2010 Breaking Bad Sad Faced Girl Episode: "No Más"[35]
2016–2017 Sweet/Vicious Ophelia Mayer 10 episodes[36]
2018 American Vandal Chloe Lyman 8 episodes
2022 For All Mankind Sunny Hall 3 episodes
2023 The Last Thing He Told Me Cheryl Episode: "Witness to Your Life"
2023 Invincible Nurse / Receptionist / Volunteer (voice) Episode: "Invincible: Atom Eve"
2025–present The Pitt Dr. Melissa King Series regular; 30 episodes[37]
2026 The Simpsons Intern (voice) Episode: "Irrational Treasure"[38]

Web

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Year Title Role Notes
2013–2014 101 Ways to Get Rejected McKenzie 18 episodes
Script supervisor

Awards and honors

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2025 Astra TV Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series The Pitt Nominated [39]
Dorian Awards Best Supporting TV Performance Nominated [40]
2026 Actor Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Won [41]
Film Independent Spirit Awards Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series Nominated [42]
Astra TV Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [43]

References

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  1. ^ Barna, Ben (November 17, 2016). "Chatting With Taylor Dearden, Star Of MTV's New Sexual Assault Revenge Fantasy 'Sweet/Vicious'". NYLON.
  2. ^ Bryan Cranston: A Life in Parts, p. 249.
  3. ^ Gliatto, Tom (October 16, 2000). "Ditzy Daddy". People. Vol. 54, no. 16.
  4. ^ Kickham, Dylan (November 25, 2015). "Bryan Cranston moved to tears while discussing pivotal 'Breaking Bad' scene". Entertainment Weekly.
  5. ^ "Bryan Cranston interview". GQ Magazine. May 2014.
  6. ^ Reichardt, Nancy M. (October 5, 1983). "Soap star loves his craft". The Prescott Daily Courier. p. 3. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
  7. ^ Engel, Allison (February 12, 2016). "Oscar nominee Bryan Cranston: Charming, thoughtful and very funny". USC News. University of Southern California.
  8. ^ "Alumni starring in new 2016-17 TV shows". USC School of Dramatic Arts. September 6, 2016.
  9. ^ "Who Is Bryan Cranston's Wife? All About Robin Dearden". people.com.
  10. ^ Faraci, Derek (April 25, 2026). "The Pitt Star Taylor Dearden Has An Ultra-Famous Father In Real Life". The List. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  11. ^ Shiffer, Emily J. (April 14, 2025) [February 2, 2024]. "All About Bryan Cranston's Daughter Taylor Dearden Cranston". People. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  12. ^ Mokashi, Maithili (April 16, 2013). "Student-created web series 101 Ways draws laughs | Daily Trojan". Daily Trojan. University of Southern California.
  13. ^ Turpin, Valerie (April 25, 2013). "SCA Family Stories: Susie Yankou: Student Talks About Her DIY Web Series". USC School of Cinematic Arts.
  14. ^ "Who is Taylor Dearden on American Vandal?". September 14, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  15. ^ Howard, Courtney (November 15, 2016). "Creating a kick-ass series with 'SWEET/VICIOUS' creator Jennifer Kaytin Robinson". Fresh Fiction. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  16. ^ Lippo, Caralynn (June 19, 2017). "10 Things We Learned About 'Sweet/Vicious' at the ATX Television Festival". telltaletv.com. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  17. ^ Radish, Christina (December 6, 2016). "Sweet/Vicious Creator on How the Sexual Assault Series Landed at MTV". Collider. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  18. ^ Ryan, Maureen (November 14, 2016). "Review: MTV's 'Sweet/Vicious'". Variety. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  19. ^ Fienberg, Daniel (January 31, 2017). "Critic's Notebook: MTV Should Renew Rape Vigilante Series 'Sweet/Vicious,' the Best Show You've Never Heard of". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  20. ^ "Who is Taylor Dearden on American Vandal?". September 14, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  21. ^ MacArthur, Greg (March 29, 2026). "Before Taylor Dearden's Breakout In The Pitt, She Starred In Netflix's 98% Crime Series – Still Worth A Weekend Binge". ScreenRant. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  22. ^ Carreiro, Justin (September 20, 2018). "American Vandal Season 2 Review: A Sophomore Slump That Still Hits its Mark". The Young Folks. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  23. ^ Fienberg, Daniel (August 29, 2018). "'American Vandal' Season 2: TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  24. ^ "The star of everyone's favorite new TV show The Pitt has a mega-famous actor dad". www.hellomagazine.com. March 20, 2025.
  25. ^ Davidson, Denton (June 10, 2025). "'The Studio' dominates 2025 Astra TV Awards with 4 wins, including Best Comedy; 'Severance' takes Best Drama". GoldDerby. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  26. ^ Cobb, Kayla (July 8, 2025). "'Hacks' and 'The Pitt' Win Top Honors From LGBTQ Critics at the 2025 Dorian TV Awards". TheWrap. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  27. ^ https://www.filmindependent.org/blog/here-are-your-2026-film-independent-spirit-awards-nominees/
  28. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdzZVsuC_ec
  29. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqFkDmto2OM
  30. ^ "Actress Taylor Dearden talks about portraying neurodivergence on 'The Pitt'". NPR. April 9, 2025. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  31. ^ "'The Pitt' Star Taylor Dearden Thinks Her Own Neurodivergent Status Has Shaped Dr. Mel King: "I Think It's Really Coming From Me"". DECIDER. February 27, 2025. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  32. ^ "Taylor Dearden Just Wants Dr. Mel to Be Seen". Harper's BAZAAR. January 23, 2026. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  33. ^ Brunner and Huver (March 8, 2026). "The Pitt's TaylorDearden Shares How She Incorporates Her Own Experience with ADHD into Her Role as Dr. Mel King". People. Retrieved April 2, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  34. ^ Coon, Carrie (April 17, 2026). "Taylor Dearden and Carrie Coon on Fame, Mistakes, and Missing School". Interview Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  35. ^ "Breaking Bad season 3 No Más". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  36. ^ "The Stars of Sweet/Vicious on Playing Rape-Fighting Vigilantes". www.cosmopolitan.com. December 20, 2016.
  37. ^ "3 Key Relationships Defined in 'The Pitt'". www.usmagazine.com. March 22, 2025.
  38. ^ "The Simpsons reveals guest cast for 800th episode including Kevin Bacon, Quinta Brunson, and more (exclusive)". ew.com. January 27, 2026.
  39. ^ Davidson, Denton (June 10, 2025). "'The Studio' dominates 2025 Astra TV Awards with 4 wins, including Best Comedy; 'Severance' takes Best Drama". Gold Derby. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  40. ^ Cobb, Kayla (July 8, 2025). "'Hacks' and 'The Pitt' Win Top Honors From LGBTQ Critics at the 2025 Dorian TV Awards". TheWrap. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  41. ^ "Complete Winners List: SAG Actor Awards 2026". The New York Times. March 1, 2026. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  42. ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (December 3, 2025). "Spirit Award Nominees include 'Sorry, Baby', 'Peter Hujar's Day', 'Train Dreams', 'Twinless', and 'The Plague'". IndieWire. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  43. ^ Davidson, Denton (May 27, 2026). "'The Pitt,' 'Shrinking,' and 'Beef' lead 2026 Astra TV Awards nominations". Gold Derby. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
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