While she is most known for her fan-favoriteOrange is the New Blackcharacter, the best Taryn Manning TV shows and movies reveal she has a much wider range than she revealed during her tenure as Litchfield inmate Pennsatucky. Born in Virginia in 1978, Taryn Manning has been a professional performer since 1994, though it took several decades for her career as an actor to fully gain momentum. Her upbringing may have been tragic, having grown up in a trailer park and losing her father to suicide at a young age, but this didn’t stop Manning from pursuing her dreams.
She got her first roles in the late 1990s with bit-parts in shows likeNYPD BlueandThe Practice,with her first notable appearance agrubably being inBoston Publicsince the one-off role was written specifically with her in mind. From here she began getting more and more prominent roles, eventually landing parts in movies too (not to mention a somewhat successful career as a musician). While she remains most widely known for herrole inOrange is the New Black,the best Taryn Manning movies and TV shows reveal just how far she’s come, appearing in several films alongside megastars like Britney Spears and Eminem.
10Karen (2021)
Taryn Manning Played Karen Drexler
When it comes to the recent movies starring Taryn Manning, 2021’sKarenstands out as one of her best. It’s also noteworthy because, as theOrange is the New Blackstar’s career continues, it represents something of a different genre direction from the movies that defined her earlier career. What’s more, Manning also served as a producer for the film.
While unappreciated by critics, the dark horror-comedyKarenfrom director Coke Daniels starred Taryn Manning as the titularpsychotic leader of a local Homeowners Association. While the satire wasn’t quite subtle enough for many judging by the reviews, Taryn Manning delivered a unique performance that showcased a side of her range and talent she’d previously never had the chance to tap into.It’s not the strongest movie she’s ever been involved with, but for Taryn Manning fans who want to explore her recent films and get a glimpse of genres she’s suited to outside comedy, drama, or romance,Karenis certainly a satisfying watch.
9Drive (2007)
Taryn Manning Played Ivy Chitty
The short-lived 2007 seriesDriveis easily the most puzzling project among the best Taryn Manning TV shows, because the Fox action-drama should have been an undisputed hit. Focusing on an illegal cross-country car race,Drivealso starred the likes of Nathan Fillion, Emma Stone, Melanie Lynskey, Kristen Lehman, and Dylan Baker. With this premise and cast full of then-current and future A-Listers, it’s incredibly perplexing thatDriveonly lasted for 7 episodes.
However, despite the early cancelation,Drivestill ranks as one of the best Taryn Manning TV shows. She played Ivy Chitty, and the role was incredibly noteworthy within the show due to the fact that Chitty changed teams multiple times, and stole a car from Emma Stone’s character Violet Trimble.The show remains an example of series that were canceled before their time due to cynical network decisions, though is inarguably one of the best projects Taryn Manning has been a part of.
Crossroads
Cast
Crossroads is a comedy-drama film by director Tamra Davis that was released in 2002. Three close friends, Lucy, Kit, and Mimi, bury a box, promising to revisit it on their graduation night, but as time passes, the trio grows distant. Deciding to honor their hopes and wishes and looking to reconnect, the girls embark on a road trip to do the things they always wanted to do - together.
2002’sCrossroadsmay not be the absolute best Taryn Manning movie, but it remains one of her most high-profile castings and speaks volumes for the trajectory of her career during its earliest years. Directed by Tamra Davis and written by Shonda Rhimes,Crossroadsstarred and was based on a story by one of the most famous pop megastars of all time, Britney Spears, at the height of her career.The involvement of Britney Spears instantly madeCrossroadsa heavily marketed movie, and Manning being selected for the cast list shows how she was tipped to become a leading actor in her own right despite not being active for many years by the time 2002 arrived.
Taryn Manning co-lead theCrossroadscast alongside Spearsand futureGuardians of the Galaxystar Zoe Saldana as one of three friends who must navigate unexpected distance between them upon graduating high school. The movie doesn’t do much to reinvent the teen road-trip comedy subgenre, but Manning’s presence in the cast and performance as Mimi ensureCrossroadsis a highlight of her career when it comes to her appearances on the big screen.
7Jack And Jill Vs. The World (2008)
Taryn Manning Played Jill
For Taryn Manning fans who want to explore the movies and TV shows that represent significant moments in her career, it’s hard to deny that 2008’sJack And Jill Vs. The Worldshould be considered a must-watch.There are several reasons why, too. Firstly, the quirky romance movie from writer-director Vaness Parise represents one of the few occasions Taryn Manning has been cast in a lead role on the big screen - and she rises to the occasion incredibly well, with her performance as Jill being the highlight of the movie.
The second reasonJack And Jill Vs. The Worldranks among the best Taryn Manning movies is the balance of her performance. Her character, Jill, is an eccentric and care-free love interest for Jack (Freddie Prinze Jr.). Manning excelled in the role, especially when the character could easily have fallen into the dreaded “manic pixie dream-girl” trope. The futureOrange is the New Blackstar delivered a nuance performance that ensured this wasn’t the case, and showed how wide her range as a performer could be when the tragic reason’s behind Jill’s spontaneous nature were revealed.
Crazy/Beautiful
Crazy/Beautiful is a romantic drama depicting the relationship between a poor Latino student and a troubled girl from an affluent neighborhood at Pacific Palisades High. Released in 2001, the film explores themes of socio-economic disparity, personal struggles, and the complexities of young love.
2001’sCrazy/Beautifulis the third film that Taryn Manning ever appeared in, and it remains one of her best. The teen romantic drama was directed by John Stockwell from a script written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi, with a story focusing on a personality clash between Carlos (Jay Hernandez), an ambitious highschooler, and the rebellious young offender with a DUI Nicole (Kirsten Dunst).
Taryn Manning played the role of Maddy inCrazy/Beautiful,the best friend of Dunst’s character Nicole. While the movie doesn’t do much to reinvent the wheel when it comes to teen-focused romantic dramas, Manning’s performance in it was incredibly strong, and it remains a highlight of the earliest years of her career.It’s also interesting in retrospect to compare it to some of her roles that came shortly afterward, like 2002’s8 Mile,as it shows just how quickly she built on her skillset as an actor during the pivotal early moments of her career.
Hawaii Five-0
A modern imagining of the classic series that was released during the 1960s, Hawaii Five-0 is an action series that follows a special task force that handles various crimes in Hawaii. Acting outside their normal jurisdiction and given free rein across the state from the Governor himself, the twosome of Steve McGarrett and Danny Williams deal with terrorist plots, kidnappings, and other serious crimes.
The 2010 reboot ofHawaii Five-0may not be as beloved as the 1968-1980 series of the same name, but it managed to carve out its own loyal fanbase during its 10 seasons. What’s more, the performances of the cast in the modernHawaii Five-0were celebrated during its run, including Taryn Manning as Mary An McGarrett.
While not amember of theHawaii Five-0task forceherself, Manning’s character Mary McGarett was still an essential part of many narrative arcs. She was the younger sister of Steve McGarett, the founder of the titular team, and so was understandably an essential presence when it came to underscoring the emotional impact of his work on his relationships with his friends and family.Taryn Manning truly shined in the role, and it’s indisputable that the procedural drama ranks among the best TV shows she’s been involved in.
Playing Nola in the 2005 dramaHustle & Flowmay not immediately jump to mind when fans think of films starring Taryn Manning, but this doesn’t change its significance when it comes to her best movies and TV shows. Despite perhaps fading into obscurity in the decades since,Hustle & Flowwas a commercial hit when it released in 2005, and Taryn Manning’s performance in the Craig Brewer-directed film was a critical element of its success.
Hustle & Flowfollows the struggle of a drug dealer and pimp, Terrence Howard’s DJay who decides to turn his life around bypursuing a career as a rapper. Manning’s character of Nola is one of the most interesting in the movie, as she follows DJay in his new life path out of loyalty, becoming the conduit for getting his songs on the radio after he’s incarcerated. Like several of her other roles too,Hustle & Flowalso shows glimpses of the skills Manning would later tap into when she joined the cast ofOrange is the New Black.
8 Mile
8 Mile: Set in Detroit’s intense music scene, 8 Mile follows Jimmy Smith, Jr.’s personal journey to find his voice and secure his place in the world of hip-hop. Released in 2002, the film offers a glimpse into the challenges faced by aspiring artists amidst the competitive environment.
As far as the best Taryn Manning movies are concerned, 2002’s8 Mileis for many the undisputed highlight of her career, both in terms of the quality of the film overall and of the futureOrange is the New Blackstar’s performance in it. There are several noteworthy appearances inthe cast of8 Mile,including the expectation-defying Eminem in his only movie role to date, and a standout appearance from the late Brittany Murphy.
These sometimes overshadow just how good Taryn Manning was in8 Mileas Janeane, the pregnant ex-girlfriend of Eminem’s character Jimmy Smith, AKA Rabbit. Manning truly shined in the role, bringing a gritty authenticity that ensured she delivered one of the best performances in the film. The role of Janeane also showed glimpses of the more somber moments of herOrange is the New Blackcharacter, Pennsatucky, and it’s easy in retrospect to see how the 2002 movie laid down foundations for the role that would eventually come to define her career over a decade later.
Sons of Anarchy
Sons of Anarchy is centered around the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original (SAMCRO), exploring the tensions between President Clay and Vice President Jax in the town of Charming. The narrative focuses on their differing visions for the club’s operations, blending legal and illegal enterprises.
Several years before joining the cast of the TV show that would come to define her career,Taryn Manning was a recurring presence on another hit series that would go on to be known as one of the small-screen highlights of the 2010s - FX’sSons of Anarchy.Running from 2008 to 2014,Sons of Anarchywas an incredibly realistic and violent drama focusing on the members of aHells Angels-like motorcycle club.
Despite the fact she only appeared in 7 episodes, Taryn Manning’s time as Cherry onSons of Anarchywas especially memorable, and the actor ensured hers was one of the most noteworthy regularly-appearing characters in seasons 1-3. Cherry was an intriguing character, a victim of abuse who took up shelter of sorts with the hypermasculine members of SAMCRO to gain a sense of safety and protection. While she wasn’t seen again after the season 3 episode “Firinne”,Sons of Anarchyis still highly recommended viewing for Taryn Manning fans seeking to explore the best TV shows she’s appeared in.
Orange is The New Black
Based on the memoir by Piper Kerman, Orange Is the New Black follows Piper Champman (Taylor Schilling) after she turns herself in for a 15-month sentence in a minimum-security women’s prison for aiding in a drug-smuggling operation run by her ex-girlfriend Alex Vause (Laura Prepon). One of Netflix’s most popular original series, the show explores the corruption inherent in the US prison system through the lens of Piper’s experiences.
When it comes to the best TV shows featuring Taryn Manning, none of her roles so far are as highly regarded as her performance as Pennsatucky inOrange is the New Black.Pennsatucky (real name Tiffany Duggett) was a maximum security inmate at Litchfield Penitentiary in Netflix’s hit show, being a fan-favorite fromOitNBseason 1 to her deathin season 7’s “The Big House.”
It’s hard to deny that playing Pennsatucky cemented Taryn Manning’s status as a household name for many of her fans, and it’s difficult to imagine anyone else making the character as memorable as Tiffany Duggett became.
It’s hard to deny that playing Pennsatucky cemented Taryn Manning’s status as a household name for many of her fans, and it’s difficult to imagine anyone else making the character as memorable as Tiffany Duggett became. The character demonstrated an incredible amount of growth throughout, which included several emotional moments within which Manning’s talents shone through just as much as they did during the many lighthearted moments when Pennsatucky served as the show’s comic relief. While there may be many more greatTaryn Manningroles to come, it’s hard to envision any will be as memorable or more celebrated than her performance inOrange is the New Black.
