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Taylor Gildersleeve

Actress Taylor Gildersleeve. (Credit: Courtesy photo)

Taylor Gildersleeve

When we last checked in with actress and Mattituck native Taylor Gildersleeve in January 2015, she was fresh off her latest role starring in the Lifetime movie “Sugar Daddies.”

Gildersleeve’s success on the small screen continues, as the 2009 Mattituck High School graduate will make appear in an episode of the new AMC David Schwimmer series “Feed the Beast” and an episode of the Hulu show “Deadbeat.” Her long blonde locks will even be featured in a Garnier Fructis commercial.

But Gildersleeve’s current project, a romantic short film written and directed by her husband, Brad Livingstone Black, entitled “Helen of Troy,” has a connection to North Fork — the place her family has called home for four generations.

While most of the movie was shot in Paris and Normandy, France, a pivotal scene was filmed at Silver Sands Motel in Greenport earlier this month. The location isn’t necessarily supposed to be eastern Long Island, Gildersleeve said, but locals will recognize the retro, waterfront motel, which has been the backdrop of several shoots over the years.

“We were open-minded to going anywhere to get this particular scene,” she said. “It was really cool for me to spot this location on the North Fork.”

Gildersleeve was tightlipped about the film’s plot, sharing only the synopsis, which reads: “Having lived an isolated life of great privilege, Helen reflects upon the flower of her youth, her capacity to dream and her time spent with Troy. Recalling these memories, Helen affirms the true wealth of love.”

The movie’s time period is ambiguous, though the vintage costumes designed by Norman Ambrose and classic jewelry from Verdura evoke a previous era. “Helen of Troy” also stars actor Zebedee Row, who most recently appeared on the HBO series “Vinyl.”

Gildersleeve and Livingstone Black, who are also the film’s executive producers, plan to finish editing “Helen of Troy” this summer and submit it to various film festivals this year.

“It’s one of those films that really surprises the viewer, so I’m afraid to say too much about it,” Gildersleeve said.

“Feed The Beast,” a drama about two best friends who take one last shot at their dream of opening a restaurant, premieres on AMC May 31. Viewers can expect to see Gildersleeve in the fourth episode.

“I can’t give away too much about my character,” she said.

Gildersleeve also plays a bridezilla in the fourth episode of the third season of “Deadbeat,” which is now streaming on Hulu.

“It was fun for me to be able to play a crazy bride because I got married last fall,” she said.

Gildersleeve began her acting career in 2005 as Sydney Harris on “All My Children.” She has appeared in popular television like “Person of Interest,” “Gossip Girl,” “30 Rock” and “Law and Order.”

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