Taylor Dearden

Taylor Dearden Cranston (born February 12, 1993) is an American actress. She plays Dr. Melissa "Mel" King in HBO Max's The Pitt, for which she was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2026. She also played Ophelia in the MTV show Sweet/Vicious and Chloe Lyman in the second season of Netflix's American Vandal.

Early life and education

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

Career

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"). This appearance occurred in 2010.

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

Her first major television role came with the MTV show Sweet/Vicious. Following in audition in Los Angeles, Dearden was cast as Ophelia, a college student who avenges rape victims. The show lasted for one season. 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." Reviewers praised Dearden for the comedic skills she displayed in the role.

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. 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.

She portrays Dr. Melissa King in the 2025 HBO Max medical drama The Pitt and was nominated for the Astra TV Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and the Dorian Award for Best Supporting TV Performance in that role. She was also nominated for Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series at the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards.

In January 2026, Dearden appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! 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.

Personal life

Dearden revealed in 2025 that she has ADHD, which was diagnosed during her childhood. 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. She also has Ehlers–Danlos syndrome.

Filmography

Film

• 2012 — Red Handed — Jo — Short filmCo-executive producer
• 2013 — The Fourth Wall — Danielle — Short film
• 2015 — The Cigarette — —.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);clip-path:polygon(0px 0px,0px 0px,0px 0px);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px;white-space:nowrap}N/a — Short filmDirector
• 2016 — Smash Face — Helen — Short film
• 2017 — Heartthrob — Cleo
• 2020 — The Last Champion — Joanna Miller
• 2025 — Ok Mom — Hannah — Short film

Television

• 2010 — Breaking Bad — Sad Faced Girl — Episode: "No Más"
• 2016–2017 — Sweet/Vicious — Ophelia Mayer — 10 episodes
• 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
• 2026 — The Simpsons — Intern (voice) — Episode: "Irrational Treasure"

Web

• 2013–2014 — 101 Ways to Get Rejected — McKenzie — 18 episodesScript supervisor

Awards and honors

• 2025 — Astra TV Awards — Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series — The Pitt — Nominated
• 2025 — Dorian Awards — Best Supporting TV Performance — The Pitt — Nominated
• 2026 — Actor Awards — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series — The Pitt — Won
• 2026 — Film Independent Spirit Awards — Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series — The Pitt — Nominated
• 2026 — Astra TV Awards — Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series — The Pitt — Nominated
• 2026 — Primetime Emmy Awards — Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series — The Pitt — Nominated