8-Year-Old Tilly Morris Lands Stranger Things Role

Tilly Morris is a young actress who, at just 8 years old, landed a pivotal role in the final season of Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things.

At a Glance

• Tilly Morris cast as Sara Hopper, a young cancer patient.
• She had never heard of Stranger Things before auditioning.
• The family flew to Atlanta for a brief 30-minute shoot.
• New Year’s Eve saw the episode reveal her appearance.
• She later won Best Actress Under 18 at the Utah Film Festival.

Why it matters: The story shows how a sudden opportunity can launch a child’s acting career and bring unexpected joy to a family.

Casting Surprise

The opportunity came when a nationwide search sought a girl resembling Elle Graham, who plays Sara in the first season. Tilly’s parents, both actors, were skeptical until they learned the specifics of the role.

• The part required a “small, but emotionally critical” performance.
• Tilly’s resemblance to Elle was highlighted, especially her nose structure.
• The family’s disbelief turned into excitement once the search criteria were explained.

The Audition Journey

Tilly had performed in a few small roles before this. Her parents debated whether the trip to Atlanta was worth it, but the promise of travel was a strong pull.

• They recorded a home audition using a The Sixth Sense scene.
• Tilly’s agent called to confirm she had secured the part.
• The family immediately booked a flight to Atlanta.

During the first day in Atlanta, Tilly:

• Sat for a costume fitting.
• Explored the city with her family, visiting the Georgia Aquarium.
• Watched behind-the-scenes footage of the set, noting the “weird-looking octopus” pieces of Vecna’s body.

Filming in Atlanta

The actual shoot was surprisingly brief. SAG-AFTRA regulations limited her on-set time to 30 minutes.

• Tilly spent the morning in a bald cap, a four-hour process that included watching movies.
• She met her scene partner, David Harbour, who joked about being her “dad” for the day.
• The scene consisted of two lines delivered while Harbour looked into her eyes off camera.

The family later reflected on the experience:

• “It was kind of hard not to look at the camera,” Tilly said.
• “But it was pretty cool.”

Post-Production and Anticipation

After filming, the family kept the project a secret while the show wrapped production. The uncertainty about whether Tilly’s scene would be included added tension.

• They didn’t know until New Year’s Eve when the final episodes premiered.
• The family gathered to watch the episode, discovering Tilly’s face.
• The moment was celebrated with a big-screen viewing and friends in attendance.

Recognition and Future Plans

Shortly after the episodes aired, Tilly received the Best Actress Under 18 award at the Utah Film Festival.

• She returned to school, described as “just like every other kid.”
• Tilly expressed a desire to book more TV gigs in the coming year.
• Though she missed the first season due to its scary content, she hopes to finish the series eventually.

Timeline of Key Events

Key Takeaways

• A child’s accidental discovery of a role can lead to a career-starting moment.
• Family support and flexibility were crucial to seizing the opportunity.
• Even a brief on-set experience can leave lasting memories and accolades.
• The story underscores the unpredictable nature of entertainment projects and the excitement of eventual release.