'The Pitt's Tal Anderson on Sharing Her First Emmy Nomination With Taylor Dearden and Patrick Ball

As Mel braces herself for a deposition, Becca enters the holiday chaos of PTMC for what she thinks is a stomach ache. It would later be diagnosed as a UTI, a result of her sexually active relationship with her boyfriend, Adam. This news is a shock to Mel's system, even more so when Becca asserts her independence towards her twin for seemingly the first time. This fight becomes the wake-up call for Mel to realize maybe her sister is more self-reliant than she thought, and she needs to carve out a life for herself beyond her sister.

What could've been a one-note role, Anderson lifted Becca King off the script pages and brought her to life in a genuine way. Beyond the audience’s recognition of her work in Season 2, Anderson earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, one of 25 nominations that The Pitt received. As an advocate for authentic representation of the autism community, this nomination highlights how she's breaking barriers for inclusion in the television space.

In the weeks since her Emmy nomination, Anderson spoke with me for a conversation about Becca King and the moment she's living in. She shared what it means for her to be part of The Pitt and the recognition she and the show receive. She went on to reveal her favorite scenes from her Emmy-nominated guest spot, as well as what she's learned from her scene partners, Taylor Dearden and Patrick Ball. Although her status in Season 3 is currently unknown, Anderson expressed her hopes for Becca's relationship with her sister and who she’d like to share scenes with next.

Tal Anderson's Emmy Nomination Represents Something Bigger Than Herself

COLLIDER: It's been a few weeks since the Emmy nominations. Has the nomination sunk in for you? How are you feeling right now?

TAL ANDERSON: Oh, wow. I don't think everything has hit me quite yet. But I have accepted the recognition even though I'm definitely still processing how I feel about everything. I'm mostly feeling just so grateful because it really feels like this nomination is more than just recognition for the show or my work. This is an Emmy nomination for an openly autistic actor playing an autistic role. That is definitely a first for my community. We fought so long for awareness and even acceptance of who we are authentically as autistic humans. An Emmy nomination is big, much bigger than all that. It feels more like appreciation, honestly. To me, that seems like a moment to sit back and soak it in. I'm grateful for that moment. I'm proud to be a part of my community finally getting that recognition.

It is such a big landmark moment for your community. It's so cool that you get to represent them in this way.

ANDERSON: Yeah, it's huge.

When you even think back to filming in Season 2, did you ever think that your performance would even lead to this type of recognition?

ANDERSON: No, I really didn't. I've wanted to be a television actor my whole life, but I never expected anything I did to lead to this kind of recognition. This nomination and all the nominations for The Pitt belong to every single person working on the show, because nobody gets to a place like this alone. This show is so amazing in so many ways, and I'm beyond grateful to be a part of it.

This isn't your first TV role. You played Sid in Atypical. How did your previous experience on Atypical inform your approach to Becca?

ANDERSON: I'm not sure that it did. Although both Sid and Becca are autistic, they're both very different. Becca wants to be independent and be able to make decisions about her life. But Sid already knows exactly what she wants and has everything all figured out. Sid follows a plan towards achievement. I think Becca, at least for now, just wants to be happy and enjoy her life. It really was such a pleasure to bring life to both characters. I think if anything, my own lived experience as an autistic woman is what informed my approach to both roles.

Tal Anderson Praises 'The Pitt's Writers for Becca's Fully-Realized Season 2 Arc

"It's my job to bring Becca to life the way she's written."

I think it's so cool that when Becca was introduced to us in Season 1, we first met her through FaceTime and then in-person at the end of the season. She was just instantly beloved by fans. Why do you think we as audience members love Becca so much?

ANDERSON: I think a big reason viewers are drawn to Becca is because she's unapologetically herself. She's also loyal, supportive, and genuinely happy and positive about life. That was true in Season 1 because she gave viewers a glimpse into what makes Dr. King the way she is and where her joy stems from.

Then in Season 2, even though a lot of people were upset that Becca kept secrets from Mel, I think they also had her back because, for the most part, people support everyone's rights to be part of making decisions about their own personal lives, even Becca, who requires a lot of support. I think the writers did a fantastic job of showing us that Becca needs help, but she's human. She has rights and deserves privacy and to pursue personal happiness as we all do.

Absolutely, and I love that in Season 2, we got an entire arc for Becca. You mentioned the writers. For you as an autistic actress, did you have any input to make sure that Becca was treated as a fully realized character and not just a stereotype?

ANDERSON: I was so grateful for Becca's story arc this season, and I'm proud of the work I did to bring her story to life. But Becca's story was fully developed by R. Scott Gemmill and the writers from the beginning because Becca is part of Mel's story. She really exists so that we can understand more about who and why Mel is who she is. As an actor, all you have is what is written on the page. What's on that page is who the character is. What you don't always have is the why. So that's what I have to work really hard to try to fill in by understanding Becca's motivations and defending her reason for wanting to do those things or be the way she is.

In the end, it's my job to bring Becca to life the way she's written. When I can do that using my own personal lived experience, it strengthens her existence even more. So that's what I try to do. I try to find a place where we have common ground. I think that's how and why authenticity can shine through.

What Did Taylor Dearden and Patrick Ball Teach Tal Anderson During Season 2?

"I'll take that with me to other projects as I move forward in my career."

I think we got that from you. That was such a great part of this past season. I'd love to know what was your favorite Becca scene from Season 2?

ANDERSON: My favorite scene changes between a couple of choices for different reasons. I really love when Becca fangirls over Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle) and then leaves with Mel and starts to follow the furry. I think it's a really fun and accurate snapshot of who Becca is. But… My most favorite scene is the one where Becca and Mel have their huge sister fight, and Dr. Langdon (Ball) has to cool Mel down. I think I like that scene because, 1) as an actor, it was really fun to do. And 2) because it really accurately shows an authentic sister relationship where they're both kind of on equal footing. And then 3) I think I loved it because Becca was really standing up for herself and asserting her independence. She was saying to Mel, "I love you and respect you, but you're my sister, not my mother." I think that was a really strong moment for Becca and also a light-bulb moment for Mel because she realizes that maybe Becca is more independent than she thought.

I have a younger sister, so I felt very seen in that scene between sisters arguing like that back and forth. I think you two did such a great job with that.

ANDERSON: Thank you.

Something I respect about actors is the give and take between them in a scene. I love that you brought up that scene between you and Taylor [Dearden] and Patrick [Ball] being there. From your perspective, what did your scene partners there bring to your scenes with them? What do you think they actually learned from you in that scene as an actor?

ANDERSON: Both Patrick and Taylor are highly trained actors and have been doing it for a lot longer than me. I'm sure I have nothing to teach them, but I definitely learned a lot from watching their work in our scenes and in others that I'm not in. They're both very serious about their work, but also very grounded and funny and supportive when off-camera. I guess I learned from them that you can be intensely committed to a scene and your character, but it's also okay to release that when the scene is over — not so much Becca scenes, but especially with those guys and the intense scenes they're doing all season.

Basically, if you can't let everything you're carrying from your character go occasionally, then that means you have to carry all of that intensity around with you all the time. It's a lot healthier if you can put that aside for a bit and reclaim yourself. I noticed that they're both really good at doing that, and I'll take that with me to other projects as I move forward in my career.

Speaking of Patrick and Taylor, what does it mean for you that both of them are also first-time Emmy nominees alongside you?

ANDERSON: I'm so happy for them both because they deserve it so much, and I'm also grateful to them. I think we're all really proud to be part of this amazing show. For my small part in it, I feel super lucky to have had the opportunity to work with both of them in these scenes. I'm very grateful to the writers for the little peek this season into who Becca is.

"I hope that Mel finds some joy outside their relationship."

When Season 2 ends, Becca ditches Mel to watch fireworks and Elf with her boyfriend. Season 3 picks up four months later. How do you imagine Becca and Mel's relationship has evolved in that time?

ANDERSON: Oh, I imagine all kinds of things, and usually the worst, because I think that makes an interesting story for Becca, but thankfully, I'm not the writer. I just really hope that after Season 2, Mel and Becca's close sister bond survives after that giant shake-up. But I hope that Mel finds some joy outside their relationship.

Do you think Adam and Becca are still together, or do you think Becca is one to date around?

ANDERSON: Well, Becca's pool of choices is probably pretty limited. So I'm really just glad she was able to find someone who makes her happy, but you never know. I think Becca is pretty strong-willed and capable of looking out for herself.

You mentioned Becca's happiness and even Mel's happiness earlier. From Becca's point of view, what do you think it will take for Mel to find some happiness in her life outside of work?

ANDERSON: I have no idea. Maybe friends? [Laughs]

Yes, she needs friends!

Who Does Tal Anderson Want Becca To Interact With in the Future?

Should we see Becca again in Season 3, who would you want to share scenes with besides Taylor, Patrick, and even Noah [Wyle]?

ANDERSON: Oh my gosh, I love every one of these cast members, and I would jump at a chance to be in a scene on this show or any show with any of them. But as for characters… I really love Nurse Dana (Katherine LaNasa) and also Joy Kwan (Irene Choi). I think because they're such strong-minded characters who seem very secure in their beliefs and are loyal and logical. I think in her own way, Becca shares those traits with them.

It would be really cool to see Becca hanging out at the nurse's station with the two of them. I feel like they'd have some good conversations.

ANDERSON: Right? Absolutely!

What has The Pitt and playing Becca King taught you about yourself?

TAL ANDERSON: Oh my goodness, it's taught me that I need to remember that dreams come true, man. Seriously though, working on this show has been a joy and a gift. I'll be forever grateful for my experiences, the friends I've made, and the opportunities I've been given that have all come from the opportunity and privilege of playing Becca King. I don't take any of that for granted.

The Pitt Season 2 is streaming now on HBO Max.