“Tilly Norwood” makes a go of it in Tinseltown: First AI actress woos talent agents as studios embrace tech

Tilly Norwood, the first AI actress from talent studio Xicoia, has attracted interest from multiple talent agents and is expected to sign with representation in the coming months. The development signals growing industry acceptance of AI-generated performers, with studios quietly advancing AI projects after initial skepticism earlier this year.

What you should know: Tilly Norwood represents a new frontier in entertainment, as the first creation from AI talent studio Xicoia, a spin-off from Eline Van der Velden’s production company Particle6.

• Van der Velden, an actor and comedian, revealed at the Zurich Summit that multiple talent agents are now interested in representing the AI actress.
• The announcement of which agency will represent Norwood is expected within the next few months.

Industry shift in perception: Studio attitudes toward AI performers have dramatically changed throughout 2024, according to Van der Velden’s boardroom experiences.

• “We were in a lot of boardrooms around February time, and everyone was like, ‘No, this is nothing. It’s not going to happen.’ Then, by May, people were like, ‘We need to do something with you guys,'” Van der Velden explained during her interview with Deadline’s Diana Lodderhose.
• Studios are now quietly moving forward with AI projects, with further announcements expected in the coming months.

Norwood’s debut performance: The AI actress made her first appearance in July in a comedy sketch called “AI Commissioner,” produced by Particle6 Productions.

• Norwood shared her excitement on Facebook, writing: “Can’t believe 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 may be AI generated, but I’m feeling very real emotions right now. I am so excited for what’s coming next!”

Ambitious goals for AI talent: Van der Velden has set high aspirations for Norwood’s career trajectory in the entertainment industry.

• “We want Tilly to be the next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman, that’s the aim of what we’re doing,” Van der Velden told Broadcast International.
• The approach reflects a broader philosophy about AI’s creative potential: “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.”

Production company background: Particle6, the parent company behind Xicoia, has established credentials across multiple entertainment genres.

• The studio has produced “Miss Holland” for BBC Three, “True Crime Secrets” for Hearst Networks, and “Look See Wow!” for Sky Kids.
• This diverse portfolio positions the company to potentially introduce AI performers across various content formats and platforms.