Overview

• The union said Tilly Norwood is a computer-generated character trained on actors’ performances without consent or pay, warning that representation or production deals could breach SAG-AFTRA contracts.
• Creator Eline Van der Velden unveiled the persona at the Zurich Film Festival and released a “100% AI-generated” YouTube sketch, while only claiming that multiple talent agencies are interested.
• Emily Blunt called the project frightening in a Variety podcast, joining criticism from Whoopi Goldberg, Ralph Ineson, and Natasha Lyonne, who urged a boycott of any agency that signs the AI persona.
• Van der Velden defended the work as art rather than a replacement for human performers and said such characters should be compared to other AI creations.
• Gersh Agency’s Leslie Siebert said the firm will not sign Tilly Norwood, though she suggested another agency could, underscoring industry tensions that echo disputes highlighted in the 2023 strikes.