Taylor Ortega on Landing a Lead Role in 'Big Mistakes' and Embracing Her New Jersey Roots
Actress Taylor Ortega's journey to securing a lead role in Dan Levy's Netflix comedy, 'Big Mistakes,' was a blend of serendipity and a deep connection to the character. Her New Jersey background and comedic instincts proved invaluable, allowing her to portray a complex character grappling with unexpected circumstances. The show itself navigates the comedic tension between crime and family dynamics, with Ortega drawing on her personal experiences to enrich her performance. This role marks a significant milestone in her career, offering new challenges and opportunities for theatrical ventures, while her enthusiasm for the series' potential for future seasons underscores her commitment to the project's vision.
Ortega's casting story is particularly engaging, highlighting how her authentic self aligned perfectly with the role's requirements. Despite a delayed callback, her unique comedic style and natural chemistry with Levy ultimately won her the part, showcasing the enduring impact of a truly compatible performer. The series, a brainchild of Levy and Rachel Sennott, explores the unconventional relationship of siblings entangled in a criminal underworld, a narrative framework that allows for both dramatic twists and heartfelt, humorous moments.
From Unexpected Audition to Starring Role
Taylor Ortega's unexpected path to becoming a co-lead in Dan Levy's 'Big Mistakes' highlights the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry. While filming in Italy, Ortega received the audition opportunity for a character that remarkably mirrored her own background and personality. Despite putting her best foot forward during the audition process, including enlisting fellow actors for self-tapes and live Zoom sessions, she initially put the opportunity out of her mind. This detached approach, however, serendipitously worked in her favor when, months later, she was called back for a chemistry test with Levy, ultimately securing the role as the first actor to have auditioned for it. Her candid reflections reveal a genuine surprise and gratitude for how her authentic self resonated with the creative team's vision.
Ortega recounts her audition experience for 'Big Mistakes' as a series of fortunate events, beginning with her being in Italy for another project. The character description for Levy's new series felt uncannily familiar, prompting her to dedicate herself to the audition, leveraging the support of her castmates, including a Tony winner, for the self-taping process. Despite these efforts, she consciously managed her expectations, a common practice in an industry with often drawn-out casting procedures. Her eventual callback for a chemistry reading with Levy, followed by his personal call offering her the part, underscores her perfect fit for the role. Ortega humorously notes that being the first to audition can often mean setting the bar for others, making her eventual selection a testament to her unique suitability and undeniable talent.
New Jersey Roots and Authentic Storytelling
Ortega's performance in 'Big Mistakes' is deeply informed by her New Jersey upbringing, which she describes as a rich source of humor and passion, even if not directly involving organized crime. This cultural backdrop allowed her to connect profoundly with her character, Morgan, a former New York City teacher who finds herself back home and entangled in a criminal enterprise. The show, while having a crime-driven plot, prioritizes the dynamic, often abrasive, yet loving relationship between Morgan and her brother, resonating with the familial complexities found in Levy's previous successes. Ortega’s ability to draw from her personal experiences, including challenging past relationships, adds layers of authenticity and relatability to her portrayal, making her character’s journey of self-discovery genuinely compelling.
The actress credits her New Jersey heritage with instilling a robust, often fiery, sense of humor and communication style, mirroring the sibling dynamic central to 'Big Mistakes.' This personal connection allowed her to embody Morgan with an inherent understanding of the character's nuanced blend of wit and intensity. Furthermore, Ortega openly shares how her own experiences with navigating difficult relationships in her early twenties, particularly the reluctance to confront uncomfortable truths, directly influenced her approach to Morgan's storyline with her longtime boyfriend. This introspection enabled her to infuse Morgan's emotional arc with a raw honesty, making the character's struggle to acknowledge and address her unhappiness deeply authentic and universally understood, further enriching the show's narrative depth beyond its comedic and crime elements.
