By: Jamie Steinberg
Photo By Ronnie Smith
Q) How did you find your way to the role of Becca King on “The Pitt?”
A) Great luck! Yes, but seriously, I don’t know, really. This role was for an autistic character and I’m actually autistic, so, definitely, I know that was one of the reasons I got the audition in the first place. I’d like to think also, though, that all of the hard work I’ve been doing over the last ten years had something to do with me booking the role. I really believe that acting is a life-long journey and not a job, so I’m always working and learning, and working with my coach and taking classes to learn and to get better. The role of Becca on “The Pitt,” though seems like a giant prize for all of that hard work! I’ve played other autistic characters, like Sid in the Netflix series, “Atypical,” so I’m sure that influenced the decision to give me the audition, if for no other reason, than they enjoyed the past performance on my acting reel.
Q) If you can remember, what was the initial description they gave you of her?
A) Not exactly, but I do remember her name wasn’t Becca. It was something else when they were developing the character. I think the description was something like, she and Mel (Taylor Dearden) have a great relationship and connection. Mel was her caregiver until she went to stay part time at a care facility while Mel is working.
Q) I absolutely love the relationship between Mel and Becca (even though it’s a bit rocky at the moment). Did you and Taylor Dearden get to spend some time together before filming began to become pals?
A) No, but that would have been fun! We met on set right before shooting Becca’s first scene in Season 1, but connected easily because Taylor is so down to earth and we are both neurodivergent, so I think we already sort of understand each other in a basic sense as actors because we share experiences in our work.
Q) Langdon’s time with Becca was so comforting and thoughtful. What did it mean to you to see in the script that a doctor was being so considerate of her Autism when offering his care?
A)Well, my first thought was that the writers on this show are just so good! It’s not that all doctors are inconsiderate of autistic patients, it’s just that the storyline points out how much impact a small gesture can have on a person’s ability to function or be successful in all kinds of situations. Being considerate, yes, but just recognizing that a simple understanding or acknowledgement of a person’s struggle can improve that person’s experience tremendously is a lesson that we can all learn from.
Q) The two sisters share such a deep bond, which is why many fans were surprised Becca was keeping a secret from Mel. Why do you think she did not share that she had a boyfriend?
A) It’s a more complicated situation, for sure, than it may seem. I think one reason Becca kept it from Mel is because she knew somehow that Mel might feel bad that she had a boyfriend before her because they’re twins and so close. I think part of Becca feels terrible keeping a secret from Mel, but I also think part of her wants to keep this part of her life a secret because she’s enjoying herself. Becca lives a pretty sheltered life, and I think her relationship with Adam is exciting for her, so she encourages Mel to find a personal life because she wants the same thing for Mel that she has.
Q) Mel seemed really disappointed that Becca was not going to be watching the fireworks with her. Was Becca trying to hurt her feelings because she was mad at Mel?
A)No! Becca was definitely not trying to hurt her feelings. I think she’s just being insensitive and a little selfish because she’s not thinking that Mel also enjoys the things they do together and needs it to help her deal with the stress of her job. I’m not sure where the writers of the show are going with their relationship, but I think Becca is happy, not mad. She’s living her life and doing things she wants to do and, in her heart, she wants the same for Mel. She’s a little annoyed with Mel and definitely does not like her yelling at her, but she loves Mel and would never purposely do anything to hurt her.
Q) There are so many incredible cast members to this show and they all appear to be one big family. Is there someone on the show that you wish you could have shared more scenes with?
A)That’s a really unfair question because I’d love to share scenes with everyone. The cast is all amazing and the characters are all great, and I, of course, want to have more scenes with Taylor. But I’d also love to have a chance to do a scene with Shawn Hatosy. I got to be directed by him, but I’d love to interact with Dr. Abbot. It sounds so weird, but if Becca gets to visit the ED again, I really hope it’s for a major emergency because I’d love to work with Katherine Lanasa and Noah Wyle again and it would also be fun to work with Fiona Dourif.
Q) What were some of your favorite scenes to film for “The Pitt?” I think mine was seeing Becca tell Robby and Langdon what nice things Mel has said about them.
A) My favorite scene to film I think, is still Episode 15 of Season 1, where Mel comes to pick up Becca after her terrible shift. It was so nice to be able to film such a beautiful scene and show the relationship between Mel and Becca and how they mutually support each other. It was also super fun to film because it was a moving scene, so on the filmmaking side it was very interesting to watch and to be a part of. It was filmed at night, and it was one shot where we moved from inside the building to outside and walked around the block while talking. It was a challenging shot, I think, and the crew is so amazing on this show, and it was really interesting to watch them all work on this. But also, it was my first time being directed by John Wells and that scene was a small moment, but I just think it was a perfect scene. I also really enjoyed my scenes with Patrick Ball and Taylor Dearden this season and especially the scene where Mel raises her voice with Becca. It was interesting to be able to portray that part of their sister dynamic and be able to add tension and complicated emotion to their relationship.
Q) The fans sure love you on this show. What has it meant to you to be a part of such a fan favorite series as “The Pitt?”
A) It’s been so unreal to be part of a show that so many people love. I’ve never met a person who has seen it and doesn’t love it, but what I think is the best part is that everyone loves it for very different reasons yet they also all seem to agree that it’s great because it authentically portrays pretty much everything, including the perspectives of the medical workers and the patients who come from all walks of life. It especially means a lot to me because, as an autistic actor, I try to advocate for authentic representation on screen and that not only means bringing people on who portray their characters from similar lived experience, but more importantly that the stories are written authentically. The writers on this show are so good and so respectful of the voices we are hearing every episode.
Q) What are the other projects that you have been busy working on?
A) I always have projects in process, but most of them I can’t really talk about until they start, unfortunately. But I’m very excited about getting started on a couple of them soon and being able to share my news. I can talk about my new children’s book, which comes out in April, and Michael Richey White, the illustrator, and I are both very excited for that. It’s called Oh, Tal! Not Like That and it’s Book 2 in a series, filled with beautiful illustrations, and a continuation of a story that is very personal to Michael and I.
Also, I just finished a short film called The Rally for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. It’s a film made in five days with the goal of putting disabled creatives in front of and behind the camera and this is my seventh year of producing films for this challenge. The Rally, which I co-star in with Rachel Redleaf, who I met when we were both working on the Netflix series, “Atypical,” is available to watch on YouTube and I’ll have the link on my Instagram page if anyone is interested in watching.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of the work you do on our screens?
A) To everyone who has been messaging me with their support of my journey and my work, thank you so much. It means a lot and validates all of the hard work I’ve put into achieving my goals.
I’d also like to say thank you to the fans of “The Pitt” for their support of the show and for Becca and her storyline, specifically. The disability representation and authentic storytelling on “The Pitt” are important and I’m thankful it’s making such an impact.