Interview: Tal Anderson Talks About Her First Emmy Nomination for ‘The Pitt’

For its second season, The Pitt emerged as the most-nominated series at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards with twenty-five nominations. In that massive haul was first-time nominee Tal Anderson, who was recognized in Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series. Anderson plays Becca, Dr. Mel King’s (Taylor Dearden) sister who shows up to the hospital complaining of pain. The visit unearths some growing pains in the sisterly dynamic and Becca’s push for more autonomy in her adult life. Anderson discussed her expanded storyline with Awards Radar earlier this year, which can be found here.

We caught up with Anderson to talk through how she was feeling about the nomination and what it means for her to get nominated for playing a character providing representation for an overlooked community. Check it out below!

How did you find out you were nominated? Were you watching live or did you get a call?

I was watching live from my house, and I had a few friends and my brother with me watching. My parents also came over and brought pastries so it was a whole watch party kind of thing, and when we saw the complete nominations online, my house exploded and it was amazing. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.

What initially went through your mind when you found out?

I’m not sure my brain was working at all! It was such a shock, and it’s been hours and I’m still processing everything. I think the first thing I thought and felt, though, was just joy, because I realized that I was going to be able to go to the awards ceremony and celebrate in person with everyone from the show, and that makes me so happy!

You worked with Taylor Dearden and Patrick Ball primarily. How special is it that they were also nominated for their work this year?

I’m so excited for them! They’re such hardworking professionals, and also such great human beings, and their nominations are so well-deserved. I’m thrilled for everyone, actually, because they all deserve the recognition so much.

What does this nomination mean for you?

This nomination means everything to me, not just because I’m an actor, but also because I’m playing this amazing disabled character. As Becca, I had the honor to help shine a light on some serious issues for the disabled community, and her story, written by the show’s amazing writers, was the disability representation that needed to be heard around the world!

This all means so much to my community because it means that there’s hope that people are open to hearing honest and authentic disabled perspectives, and also a validation for us to be seen and heard. I’m just so grateful for the recognition.

You can watch all of Tal Anderson’s work on The Pitt. Season 2 of The Pitt is fully available to stream now on HBOMax!