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Courtney Taylor makes dramatic debut in Bosch spinoff 'Ballard' as Samira Parker on Prime Video

Courtney Taylor makes dramatic debut in Bosch spinoff 'Ballard' as Samira Parker on Prime Video

Express Tribune28-07-2025
Courtney Taylor has taken on her first leading role in a drama series with Ballard, a new Bosch spinoff streaming on Prime Video. Known for her comedic roles in Insecure and Abbott Elementary, Taylor now steps into the crime procedural genre, portraying Samira Parker.
In an interview with Shadow and Act, Taylor spoke about her transition into drama, calling the experience both challenging and rewarding. 'As much as comedy feels like home, I'm so happy that drama has found a way into my career,' she said.
Ballard centres on Detective Renée Ballard, played by Maggie Q, and her work in the Los Angeles Police Department's cold case unit. Taylor's character, Samira Parker, is described as 'wary, impulsive and tough,' with a strong sense of justice.
She explained that the show highlights underfunded investigative units and the personal commitment of staff, most of whom are volunteers. 'Everybody else is here… just because they're passionate,' Taylor said.
Reflecting on her journey, Taylor shared how each role has shaped her confidence. 'I think I've spent a lot of time doubting me,' she said, adding that opportunities in her career have helped her build trust in her abilities. She also emphasised the importance of being adaptable and collaborative on set.
Taylor, who has also starred in Neon on Netflix, noted that her creative goal is to tell stories that centre people of colour and offer varied perspectives.
Ballard season one is now available for streaming on Prime Video.
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