Taylor Dearden Shines in Netflix's Forgotten Crime Comedy 'American Vandal'

The Pitt star's breakout role in the 98% Rotten Tomatoes-rated series is worth a weekend binge.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 11:18pm

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Before her acclaimed performance in HBO's hit series The Pitt, Taylor Dearden quietly starred in Netflix's forgotten crime comedy American Vandal, which earned a rare 98% Rotten Tomatoes score across its two-season run. The inventive series, which parodies true crime documentaries, is an ideal weekend binge for fans of clever crime stories with a comedic twist.

Why it matters

American Vandal was one of Netflix's most critically acclaimed original series, yet it flew under the radar for many viewers. The show's unique blend of satire and mystery, combined with Dearden's standout performance, make it a hidden gem worth rediscovering, especially for fans eager to see the actress in her breakout role before The Pitt.

The details

In American Vandal, Dearden played the pivotal role of Chloe Lyman in the show's second season. The series follows two high school filmmakers, Peter and Sam, as they investigate various school pranks with serious consequences, including a cafeteria laxative incident. In season 2, Chloe helps Peter and Sam prove the innocence of a student, Kevin McClain, who is accused of a mysterious 'Brownout' prank at a prestigious Catholic school.

  • American Vandal premiered on Netflix in 2017.
  • The show's second season, featuring Dearden, was released in 2018.
  • Netflix canceled the series after its second season.

The players

Taylor Dearden

An up-and-coming actress who starred in the Netflix crime comedy series American Vandal before her breakout role in HBO's The Pitt.

American Vandal

A Netflix original crime comedy series that parodies true crime documentaries, earning a rare 98% Rotten Tomatoes score across its two-season run.

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What they’re saying

“Before The Pitt became one of the most highly-praised shows on any streaming service, Dearden was quietly the star of a Netflix hidden gem crime series that ended up having one of its best Rotten Tomatoes scores of all time for an original series (98%).”

— Greg MacArthur, Author

The takeaway

American Vandal may have been canceled too soon, but Taylor Dearden's standout performance in the series is a testament to her talent and foreshadows the success she would later achieve with her breakout role in The Pitt. For fans eager to see the actress in an earlier, lesser-known role, the show remains a clever, binge-worthy crime comedy worth revisiting.