You probably remember Taylor Otto as the sporty, somewhat airheaded, but ultimately golden-hearted oldest sibling on American Housewife. But did you know she wasn't actually the first Taylor?
Most fans don't realize that before Meg Donnelly stepped into those sneakers, the role belonged to someone else. It's one of those "blink and you’ll miss it" Hollywood swaps that happens during pilot season. Johnny Sequoyah—known for the series Believe—played Taylor in the original pilot. When ABC officially greenlit the show for a full season, they decided to head in a different direction.
Enter Meg Donnelly.
She didn't just fill the slot; she completely reshaped the character's DNA. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine anyone else trading barbs with Katy Mixon or navigating the high-society "Stepford" vibes of Westport, Connecticut, with that specific blend of oblivious charm and teenage rebellion.
Why the Meg Donnelly American Housewife Swap Happened
The "why" is always a bit murky in network TV. Usually, it comes down to chemistry or a shift in the show’s tone. In the original pilot, the character of Taylor was written a bit differently—perhaps a bit more "conventional" teenager.
When Meg took over, she brought an athletic, high-energy vibe that played perfectly against Daniel DiMaggio’s neurosis (Oliver) and Julia Butters’ eccentricities (Anna-Kat). She wasn't just the "pretty daughter." She became the "jock daughter" who was blissfully unbothered by her mother's social anxieties.
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Meg was only 16 when she started. She literally grew up on that set. By the time the show wrapped in 2021, she was 20. Think about that for a second. That’s four years of your most formative life spent in front of a multi-cam setup.
The Dynamics of the Otto Family
The magic of the show wasn't just the writing; it was how Meg fit into the household hierarchy.
- The Mother-Daughter Friction: Katie Otto (Katy Mixon) was constantly terrified that Taylor would turn into a "Westport Girl"—shallow, obsessed with status, and vapid.
- The Supportive Jock: Taylor was often the bridge between her two very different brothers.
- The Father's Favorite: Greg (Diedrich Bader) and Taylor’s relationship provided some of the show's most grounded, sweet moments, especially when he tried to navigate her "blossoming" into a young woman.
Remember the episode "The Snub"? It highlighted Taylor’s social standing perfectly. She wasn't the outcast, but she wasn't the queen bee either. She was just... Taylor.
Beyond Westport: How the Show Launched a Disney Icon
While she was filming American Housewife, Meg’s career took a massive side-turn into Disney history. In 2018, while still a series regular on the ABC sitcom, she landed the lead role of Addison in Zombies.
Managing both was a logistical nightmare. Imagine filming a family sitcom in Los Angeles and then jetting off to Toronto to play a singing, dancing cheerleader in a world of undead teenagers.
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A lot of people think she left American Housewife for Disney, but she actually did both simultaneously for years. It speaks to her work ethic. Most actors would crumble under that schedule. Instead, she used the sitcom as a training ground for her comedic timing, which she then brought to the Zombies franchise.
The Taylor Otto Evolution
If you go back and watch Season 1, Taylor is a bit of a caricature. She’s the "dumb jock" trope. But by Season 5, the writers—and Meg herself—gave her more layers.
She struggled with college applications. She dealt with real heartbreak. She even explored her musical side, which was a nod to Meg’s real-life talent as a singer. The showrunners eventually realized they had a powerhouse vocalist on their hands and started weaving that into the plot, most notably in the "American Idol" crossover episode.
What Really Happened with the Cancellation?
It still stings for fans that American Housewife ended on a cliffhanger. Season 5 wrapped up with several unresolved plot lines, and then—poof. Canceled.
There were rumors. Some blamed the behind-the-scenes drama involving other cast members, while others pointed to declining ratings and the high cost of production during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regardless of the reason, Meg has always remained incredibly classy about it. She’s gone on record multiple times calling the cast her "second family."
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She actually keeps in close touch with Diedrich Bader and Katy Mixon. In an industry where people often fake "set families" for PR, the bond between the Ottos seems legitimately real.
Meg's Life After the Show
Since the show ended in 2021, Meg hasn't slowed down.
- The Winchesters: She took a massive leap into the Supernatural prequel as Mary Campbell. It was a complete 180 from Taylor Otto—serious, action-heavy, and gritty.
- Voice Acting: She’s become the go-to voice for Supergirl in the DC Tomorrowverse movies.
- Broadway: Most recently, in early 2026, she’s been making waves with her Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
It’s funny to think that for many, she’ll always be the girl who fell out of a chair in a Westport kitchen. But that role was the foundation. Without the 100+ episodes of American Housewife, we probably wouldn't have the versatile performer she is today.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to revisit Meg’s work or follow her journey, here’s the best way to do it:
- The Sitcom Masterclass: Watch Season 3 of American Housewife if you want to see her best comedic work; that’s where the character really found her groove.
- The Musical Path: Check out her singles on Spotify, specifically "Smile," which captures that upbeat energy she brought to Taylor.
- Track Her Broadway Run: If you're in New York, her performance as Satine in Moulin Rouge! is currently the talk of the theater district—a must-see to see how far she's come since her ABC days.
The transition from a sitcom daughter to a legitimate multi-hyphenate star isn't easy. Many get stuck in that "teen star" box forever. Meg Donnelly managed to break out of Westport and actually stay relevant, which is perhaps her most impressive feat yet.