The gig lasted 22 months, during which she watched her fellow cast members go on auditions and decided that she wanted to as well. In the eighth grade, as “Billy Elliot” was ending, she headed to California, where she read for several series, including “The Americans.” By the time she was called back for the show, she’d nearly forgotten about it.

Returning to New York, Ms. Taylor had what she called a “chemistry read” with Ms. Russell. “It was like: ‘The whole gang’s here. Watching you. No stress,’ ” she said with a giggle. Combustion achieved.

The emotional complexities found in “The Americans” can be daunting for a veteran actor, let alone a teenager in her first starring role. To assist Ms. Taylor with her story line, Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields, the show runners, created a document that tracked Paige’s psychological state scene by scene as her parents’ lives were unveiled. They also allowed time for rehearsals and shot a variety of reactions that could be interchanged, depending on forthcoming developments and what ultimately felt right for her character.

“Holly is able — very often, on a first reading without any direction, as if it’s effortless — to get those emotions across,” said Mr. Weisberg, the show’s creator.

Mr. Fields added: “She doesn’t feel the need to act. What she does is find the truth in her character and simply let that play.”

Part of that truth is the show’s attention to ’80s fashion detail. And Paige’s pre-Lycra, cardboard-stiff vintage jeans hurt. “This season, I had to ask them for a different pair,” she said. “Usually I try and deal with it because they’re a little snug. But I went to sit down, and I thought my rib cage would crack open.”