AI Actress Tilly Norwood Attracts Interest From Talent Agencies
LONDON – Tilly Norwood, the world’s first AI actress, is gaining traction in the entertainment industry, attracting interest from talent agencies just months after her debut. Created by UK production company Particle6, Norwood’s rise signals a potential shift in how film and television are produced, driven by economic pressures and the creative freedom offered by artificial intelligence.
Norwood’s creator, Julian Van der Velden, revealed to Broadcast International that the company is in discussions to secure agency portrayal for the AI performer, with an announcement expected in the coming months. “When we first launched Tilly, people were like, ‘What’s that?,'” Van der Velden said, “and now we’re going to be announcing which agency is going to be representing her in the next few months.” This development underscores a growing acceptance of AI-generated actors and the potential for synthetic performers to become mainstream.
Particle6 launched Norwood with her first role in the comedy sketch “AI Commissioner” in July, which is available online. In a Facebook post, Norwood herself expressed excitement, stating, “can’t beleive it… my first ever role is live! I star in ‘AI Commissioner,’ a new comedy sketch that playfully explores the future of TV development produced by the brilliant team at Particle6 Productions.” She added, “I might potentially be AI generated, but I’m feeling very real emotions right now. I am so excited for what’s coming next!”
Van der Velden envisions Norwood achieving a level of success comparable to established stars. “We want tilly to be the next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman, that’s the aim of what we’re doing,” he stated.He believes AI offers a solution to budgetary constraints, allowing for greater creative adaptability. “People are realizing that their creativity doesn’t need to be boxed in by a budget - there are no constraints creatively and that’s why AI can really be a positive,” Van der Velden explained.
Particle6, known for its work on programs like “Miss Holland” for BBC Three, “True Crime Secrets” for Hearst Networks, and “Look See Wow!” for Sky Kids, is betting on a future where audience engagement is prioritized over the physicality of performers. In a LinkedIn post, Van der Velden asserted, “Audiences? They care about the story – not whether the star has a pulse. Tilly is already attracting interest from talent agencies and fans.The age of synthetic actors isn’t ‘coming’ – it’s here.”
