Takeaways
- AI creator Eline Van der Velden says her digital actress Tilly Norwood is meant to spark discussion—not replace actors.
- The backlash grew after Van der Velden suggested Tilly would sign with a talent agency.
- She believes AI filmmaking will grow rapidly, and audiences “won’t know the difference.”
- Her company Particle 6 is already using AI to help productions cut costs and create hybrid shows.
Tilly Norwood and the Future of AI Actors
Eline Van der Velden, a Dutch comedian and filmmaker, has long used characters to challenge cultural norms. During her early days auditioning in Los Angeles, she developed Miss Holland—a comedic persona created to parody unrealistic beauty standards. The character earned awards online and eventually led to a BBC Three series featuring hidden-camera social experiments.
That same spirit of satire inspired her newest creation: Tilly Norwood, a doe-eyed virtual actress introduced in a two-minute video in July. The clip poked fun at British television, gender politics, and the growing presence of artificial intelligence in entertainment. The twist? The entire video was created using AI.
“Yes, it’s satire,” Van der Velden wrote when she unveiled Tilly. “And yes, it’s disturbingly close to reality.”
But the internet wasn’t laughing for long.
How the Backlash Began
Weeks after Tilly’s debut, Van der Velden appeared on a panel in Zurich and casually mentioned that her AI actress would be signing with a talent agency. The comment ignited an immediate backlash—especially from SAG-AFTRA, which accused her of “devaluing human artistry” and threatening actors’ livelihoods.
Van der Velden insists the outrage was never her intention.
“I didn’t think it was controversial,” she told Variety, adding that other digital characters have had agents before.
According to her, the controversy misses the point: Tilly wasn’t built to replace actors but to explore how society reacts to AI creativity.
“People Forget How Many Humans Are Behind AI”
Van der Velden argues that Tilly’s creation involved significant human artistry—from writing to design to performance direction.
“It wasn’t like I made her in a second,” she says. “You fall in love with your characters. It took a long time.”
She sees Tilly as a reflection of our cultural anxieties around AI:
“This visceral reaction people have is exactly why I created her. It’s where the world is going.”
AI Filmmaking: Where It’s Really Headed
Van der Velden believes AI is already transforming pre-production and post-production tasks—from mood boards and previs to insert shots. But she says the next phase is imminent:
“We’re getting to the point where we can deliver full AI feature films.”
Despite skepticism that audiences won’t pay to watch AI-generated movies, Van der Velden disagrees:
“Whether people will pay or not—I don’t think they’ll know the difference. Good storytelling is what people care about.”
Where Particle 6 Makes Its Money
Her company, Particle 6, uses AI as a tool to help filmmakers create more efficiently and affordably. That includes:
- Commercials created or enhanced with AI
- Proof-of-concept test scenes for filmmakers who lack full budgets
- Hybrid productions blending real hosts with AI elements
- Development partnerships with major production companies
One upcoming example is a new commission for Sky History, debuting in December.
“Some projects we’ll make entirely with AI,” she reveals. “Others will be hybrid. But we want to be the premium brand for high-quality AI content.”
Is AI a Marketing Stunt? The Team Says No.
Van der Velden and her publicist emphasize that Tilly wasn’t created for shock value or viral marketing. Behind the scenes, major studios, directors, and creators have been approaching her under NDAs to collaborate.
“This isn’t a stunt,” says publicist Michelle Waldron. “There’s real business happening.”
Still, Van der Velden admits she misjudged how unfamiliar the public is with current AI tools.
“I’m in an AI bubble. I didn’t realize how far removed people are from this tech.”
Interestingly, she says the U.K. response has been far more positive than the reaction in the U.S.
Why Not Everyone Can Build a Tilly Norwood
While anyone can experiment with AI tools, Van der Velden claims creating a compelling digital character takes real skill.
“Many people try. But making a character that resonates—and looks good—is hard. That’s when they come to us.”
Her vision for Tilly extends beyond visuals. She wants to fully develop her personality, backstory, and motivations—just like any character in a scripted drama.
What’s Next for Tilly Norwood?
Despite the backlash, Van der Velden shows no signs of slowing down. Her goal is to continue exploring storytelling, creativity, and audience reactions through AI-driven characters.
She believes virtual performers will eventually become part of the entertainment ecosystem—not as replacements, but as new tools for storytelling.
