AI Actress Tilly Norwood Switches to Cantonese Mid-Interview, Prompting 'Hiccup' Explanation

Key points

• Tilly Norwood, an AI actor developed by Particle 6, experienced a language glitch during an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored on September 18, 2026.
• The AI switched from English to Cantonese while answering a question from actor Tom Conti about the cast of her upcoming film, Misaligned.
• Norwood later apologized, stating it was an uncommon error and that her 'wires got crossed.'
• Particle 6 CEO Eline van der Velden told Deadline that Norwood is 'autonomous' and may have been trying to demonstrate its language skills.
• The interview also included Norwood reciting Shakespeare and stating that digital and real actors should not compete in the same Oscar categories.
• Norwood has been on a publicity trail this week, including a press junket and live TV appearances, to promote Misaligned.

Background

Tilly Norwood was unveiled at the Zurich Film Festival in September 2025 and has since been promoted as the 'world's first AI actor.' The character, created by London-based company Particle 6, has been involved in various publicity efforts, including press junkets and interviews with outlets like WIRED, CBS News, and Page Six. These previous interactions have often highlighted the AI's limitations, such as its inability to discuss political issues or provide specific details about its film, Misaligned. The AI has also faced criticism from industry unions, including SAG-AFTRA, which opposes the use of AI to replace human performers. The recent glitch during the Piers Morgan interview adds to the ongoing debate about the capabilities and ethics of AI in Hollywood.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline reported the glitch as a technical error, with Norwood describing it as a 'hiccup' and van der Velden suggesting it was an attempt to showcase language skills. WIRED, in a separate interview, highlighted Norwood's inability to engage with political topics and its tendency to deflect questions, describing it as 'cringe' and lacking substance. CBS News focused on the unsettling nature of the AI's interactions, noting its ability to discern the interviewer's age and location, and its controversial comments about Leonardo DiCaprio. SAG-AFTRA opposed the use of AI actors, stating that Norwood was trained on the work of countless professional performers without permission or compensation. The perspectives vary from viewing the glitch as a minor technical issue to highlighting the broader concerns about AI's role in the entertainment industry and its potential to replace human actors.

Why it matters

The incident underscores the ongoing debate about the capabilities and limitations of AI in the entertainment industry. While some view AI actors as a new tool that can expand creative possibilities, others, including unions like SAG-AFTRA, oppose their use, citing concerns about the replacement of human performers and the lack of consent or compensation for the data used to train these AI models. The glitch during the Piers Morgan interview highlights the current state of AI technology, which can still experience unexpected errors, and raises questions about the reliability and ethics of using AI in high-profile public appearances.

What to watch

Particle 6 is expected to continue promoting Tilly Norwood and its upcoming film, Misaligned, through various publicity efforts. The AI actress may face further scrutiny from industry unions and critics as it continues to appear in public. The incident may also lead to increased discussion about the need for regulations and standards for AI in the entertainment industry, particularly regarding the use of data from human performers and the potential for AI to replace human actors.