One of the best parts of MAX‘s addictive new medical drama The Pitt is watching how a quartet of new interns and medical students are faring on their very first day in the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital’s emergency room. While she seems to be the most quirky of the four, Dr. Melissa “Mel” King (Taylor Dearden) is also quickly establishing herself as one of the most capable young doctors. Her positive energy, buoyed by the occasional Megan Thee Stallion-inspired pep talk, makes Mel one of the most winsome characters in a mass ensemble cast full of fascinating figures.
If the actor who plays Dr. Mel King on MAX’s The Pitt looks familiar, that could be because you recognize Taylor Dearden from a number of other popular series…or have caught her on a red carpet supporting her dad, Bryan Cranston.
Yep, The Pitt star Taylor Dearden is indeed Breaking Bad legend Bryan Cranston’s daughter.
Stunned to learn of Dr. Mel King’s connection to Walter White? Well, then maybe you know Dearden from one of the many other shows she’s popped up on over the years. Here’s everything you need to know about Taylor Dearden on The Pitt…
Who Plays Dr. Melissa “Mel” King on The Pitt? Meet Taylor Dearden:
Already a fan of the chipper and kind Dr. Mel King on The Pitt? 31-year-old actress Taylor Dearden plays the ER intern who’s just so excited to be there.
Taylor Dearden is the daughter of actors Bryan Cranston and Robin Dearden. She appeared in one episode of Breaking Bad, playing “Sad Faced Girl” in Season 3 Episode 1 “No Más” and she was credited as “Taylor Cranston.”
However, since switching her stage name to Taylor Dearden, she’s starred in series like 101 Ways to Get Rejected and Sweet/Vicious.
In 2018, she played the pivotal role of Chloe Lyman in the second season of Netflix’s American Vandal. Dearden also popped up in an equally memorable role in Apple TV+‘s third season of For All Mankind. Most recently, she appeared in the 2023 Jennifer Garner thriller The Last Thing He Told Me.
You can follow Dearden on Instagram @tdeardz and catch her on the rest of this season of The Pitt on MAX.
The Pitt Episode 4 “10 AM” will premiere on MAX on Thursday, January 23 at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT.
