Jaicy Elliot Talks ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and What’s Ahead for Taryn Helm [Interview]

Among the most recent group of new interns on  Grey’s Anatomy is Dr. Taryn Helm, a fan-favorite who the audience has already seen grow as a doctor. 

Taryn, played by Jaicy Elliot, has also had a crush on Meredith Grey since her arrival, and that crush is no longer a secret. 

I recently had the chance to chat with Elliot about her experiences working on the series, how her recent confession to Meredith might affect things moving forward, and what else we can expect from Taryn Helm in the coming episodes.

Elliot began by reflecting on the experience of joining Grey’s Anatomy in its 14th season along with several other new cast members.

“Both experiences were kind of parallel because we all were stepping into these roles as interns on the show and as actors on the series,” Elliot recalled. “It kind of helps us to bridge the gap between reality and us actually being part of such an iconic show.”

Elliot also noted that she and the other new cast members joined just as Krista Vernoff returned and that “it felt like everyone was kind of in this shift” prior to their arrival. “We were welcomed with so much enthusiasm,” she said.

One of Taryn’s closest friends on Grey’s Anatomy is Levi, played by Jake Borelli. The two recently had a brief rift, since it turned out Levi was the reason Meredith’s insurance fraud secret had gotten out, and Taryn relied on Meredith as a mentor.

Thankfully, on the mid-season premiere, all was forgiven in a sweet moment between the two characters.

Elliot shared a bit about her off-screen friendship with Borelli and her thoughts on that storyline.

“I love Jake [Borelli] and we’ve become very close on set. Sometimes we joke that we don’t know if we’re friends because the show grew us as friends, or if we’re friends on the show because we’re friends in real life. It’s kind of worked out. We live on the same block. We’re just like two peas in a pod. But that said, I was really happy for Levi and Taryn to be back as friends again because Taryn holds on to loyalty a lot. That’s why she’s so dedicated to Meredith. But I think she does need her people and that was really heartwarming.”

Another important moment on that episode for Taryn was her confession to Meredith about the crush she has on her.  “I was excited for her to get to that point where she put it out in the world. And with Meredith’s status, and her being her mentor, and Taryn having so much respect for her, I don’t think it would have happened if she had been sober,” Elliot noted.

“I think she was very vulnerable, and it’s a nice side to Taryn that I’m not really used the playing,” she continued. “It makes her more of a real individual that has messed up, and has her little secrets, and then isn’t always looking for control. That was kind of sweet, I thought.”

If you watched that episode, you know that Meredith’s reaction at that moment was perfect. 

“The way she reacted was just so kind, caring, and sweet,” Elliot said. “I think that just speaks to the character of Meredith Grey and how she can see everybody’s perspective, and she understands people and she has compassion.”

Of course, Taryn’s feelings about Meredith are more complicated than a simple crush. Meredith is Taryn’s mentor and someone she respects and admires.

“Taryn went to Grey-Sloan because of Meredith Grey, and I think it all started there,” Elliot stated. “It started as her wanting Meredith to be her mentor, and then [she] found out that she’s not only such a legend, she’s also an amazing person.”

“I think whether or not Meredith has the same feelings, Taryn is always going to hold onto her because she’s so much more than just a crush.”

In some ways, Taryn’s relationship with Meredith Grey is also a bit like real-life, at least in terms of mentorship.

“I love working with Ellen [Pompeo]. She’s also a bit of a mentor,” Elliot revealed. “She has a lot of really good advice that she gives me.”

“She’s very supportive. I’m French, and she takes that into consideration a lot when we’re together,” she continued. “Everyone at Shondaland — whether it’s the crew, the writers, the actors — everyone’s been really considerate of the fact that, not only am I French, but it’s my first time on a TV show ever. They’ve all given me the space to grow and learn.”

“Ellen has done that, but also other actors on the show have all offered their expertise and their guidance,” she said. “They are taking that time, and that’s so humbling. I’m really grateful for it.”

As for what we can expect for Taryn for the coming episodes, Elliot offered up a few hints.

“I’m excited for Taryn to really just get down and dirty and start doing her job. Now that she’s confessed to all of that love that she has for Meredith, and Meredith is not holding it against her, I think maybe Taryn can start focusing on her work, which is what I think defines her more than anything — is how committed she is to being the best doctor that she can be,” she explained.

“I really like that about her, and I’d love for her to be an example of that. Because sometimes we get distracted by matters of the heart. I think it’s important to just focus on what we want to define us outside of that. I think Taryn is about to make that leap.”

Elliot was also excited to talk about her work with the organization Valley Community Healthcare, for which she is a celebrity ambassador.

“Valley Community Healthcare is a healthcare center in the Valley, north of Los Angeles, that provides comprehensive health care for anyone who walks through the door. They take in everyone,” she said.

“They have so many different departments,” Elliot explained. “They actually have, in the center, an eyeglass shop where they make eyeglasses because it ends up being cheaper than if you go outside and buy eyeglasses somewhere else. They have a pharmacy. They have all these different low-cost solutions for anyone who needs help. They really do an amazing job. They’re so committed to helping people who are in difficulty financially or just in terms of status of how they fit into our country.”

“I’m really proud to be working with them. They do preventative [healthcare], but also they have ophthalmology, and they have an amazing HIV department where they help with medicine and diagnosing. Then they have education for younger generation. There are just so many things that they do across the board that I want people to know about because I’m hoping that places like these pop up all over the States. I feel like we need these places to thrive because they represent health for people and they say if you don’t have your health that you don’t have anything. And truly at Valley Community Healthcare, they try to do that for the people who need it.”

We also talked a bit about how a recent storyline on Grey’s Anatomy involving healthcare access was directly relevant to what Valley Community Healthcare is doing.

“I think the writers do a very good job talking about issues that we are facing in real life,” Elliot noted. “And this health issue that we’re having in America right now, it’s so important to talk about and if that’s why I’m so proud to be on the show like this. But also, it’s such a reality. That’s why places like Valley Community Healthcare are created, and that’s why I’m hoping to help and spread the message.”

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Be sure to catch Jaicy Elliot on Grey’s Anatomy, airing Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.

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