Isabel May is an American actress who has become one of Hollywood’s most promising young talents. She is best known for playing Katie Cooper in the Netflix series Alexa & Katie and Elsa Dutton in the Paramount+ western series 1883.
Born and raised in Santa Monica, California, she broke into acting at sixteen after years of rejections. Her natural talent and persistence have led to major roles in television and film, including her upcoming starring role as Sidney Prescott’s daughter in Scream 7, set to release on February 27, 2026.
She represents a new generation of actresses who build careers through streaming platforms and social media rather than traditional Hollywood routes. Her journey from unknown teenager to leading actress happened quickly but was built on years of hard work and determination.
Early Life in Santa Monica
Isabel May was born on November 21, 2000, in Santa Monica, California. She grew up in this coastal city known for its entertainment industry connections and creative atmosphere.
Details about her parents remain largely private, though she has mentioned they both work in the entertainment industry in some capacity. They supported her acting ambitions from an early age and helped her navigate auditions and career decisions.
She has posted occasional photos with her father on social media but keeps most family information private. This privacy extends to siblings as well—there is no confirmed public information about whether she has brothers or sisters.
Growing up in Santa Monica meant being close to Hollywood but not necessarily part of it. Many children in the area dream of acting careers, but few succeed. Isabel’s path would require both talent and unusual persistence.
School Years and Creative Beginnings
Isabel attended a private school in Santa Monica during her elementary and middle school years. In sixth grade, an English teacher recognized her natural storytelling ability and encouraged her parents to help develop this talent.
This teacher’s encouragement planted the seed that would eventually grow into an acting career. Isabel loved reading books and found that storytelling came naturally to her, which translated well into performance.
She began auditioning for acting roles at age eleven. For the next three years, she attended countless auditions without booking a single job. Most young actors would have given up, but Isabel kept trying.
By ninth grade, she and her parents made a crucial decision. They chose to have her complete high school through online classes starting in tenth grade. This allowed her to focus entirely on auditioning and developing her craft.
Six months after switching to online schooling, she finally landed her breakthrough role. The timing proved that their decision, while risky, was the right one for her career.
The Breakthrough with Alexa & Katie
At sixteen years old in 2017, Isabel auditioned for the role of Katie Cooper in a new Netflix series called Alexa & Katie. The show centered on two best friends navigating high school while one battles cancer.
When she screen-tested with Paris Berelc, who would play Alexa, their chemistry was immediate and natural. Despite having no formal acting training and limited experience, Isabel impressed everyone involved in the casting process.
The character of Katie required an actress who could balance comedy with emotional depth. The show dealt with serious topics like cancer and friendship while maintaining a lighthearted tone. Isabel proved she could handle both sides of this challenge.
Alexa & Katie premiered on Netflix in March 2018 and became an instant hit with young audiences. The show ran for three seasons until June 2020, with 39 episodes total. It was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2018.
The series established Isabel as a bankable young actress and gave her the foundation to pursue bigger roles. She developed a loyal fanbase who followed her career beyond the show.
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Young Sheldon and Expanding Her Range
While still working on Alexa & Katie, Isabel landed a recurring role on the CBS sitcom Young Sheldon in 2018. She played Veronica Duncan, the love interest of Sheldon’s older brother Georgie.
Young Sheldon is a prequel to The Big Bang Theory and follows the childhood of Sheldon Cooper in Texas. Isabel appeared in nine episodes between 2018 and 2020.
Her performance as Veronica showed she could work in traditional network television as well as streaming platforms. The role also demonstrated her range—Veronica was different from Katie Cooper in personality and background.
Working on Young Sheldon gave her experience on a multi-camera sitcom with a live studio audience, which is different from single-camera shows like Alexa & Katie.
Film Work and Stepping Into Horror
In 2019, Isabel appeared in her first film, Let’s Scare Julie. This independent horror movie was shot in one continuous 90-minute take, presenting unique challenges for the cast.
The film tells the story of a group of girls attempting to scare their new neighbor during a Halloween party. The single-take format meant there were no opportunities for do-overs or editing tricks.
In 2020, she took on her first leading film role in Run Hide Fight. This action thriller premiered at the Venice Film Festival and tells the story of a high school student who must save her classmates during a shooting attack.
Run Hide Fight was distributed by The Daily Wire and sparked controversy due to its subject matter and distributor. Despite the controversy, Isabel’s performance was praised for its intensity and commitment.
These film roles showed she wasn’t afraid to take on challenging material or work in genres beyond lighthearted comedy. They expanded her acting resume and demonstrated versatility.
The Role That Changed Everything: 1883
In 2021, Isabel received the opportunity that would transform her career. She was cast as Elsa Dutton, the lead character and narrator of 1883, a Paramount+ series prequel to the hit show Yellowstone.
The role came about in an unexpected way. Creator Taylor Sheridan saw her audition for another series he was developing called Mayor of Kingstown. According to reports from IMDB, Sheridan was so impressed that he wrote the 1883 script specifically with her in mind. She never actually auditioned for the role of Elsa.
This was Isabel’s first period drama and her first time playing a character in a historical Western setting. The role required horseback riding, working with harsh weather conditions, and portraying a character who ages significantly throughout the series.
Interestingly, Isabel didn’t know that her co-stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were famous country music superstars before filming began. She knew them only as actors playing her parents on the show.
1883 premiered on Paramount+ in December 2021 and became one of the platform’s most successful series. Critics praised Isabel’s performance, with The Hollywood Reporter naming her one of the most promising young stars in Hollywood.
Her portrayal of Elsa Dutton earned her the Outstanding Actress in a Made for Television Movie/Limited-Series award at the 24th Women’s Image Network Awards.
The show follows the Dutton family’s journey from Texas to Montana in the 1880s, dealing with the hardships of westward expansion. Isabel’s narration provides emotional depth and connects viewers to the historical story.
She reprised her role as narrator (though not as the main character) in 1923, the sequel series that premiered in 2022. This continued her connection to the Yellowstone universe that had made her a star.
Recent and Upcoming Projects
In 2022, Isabel appeared in the romantic comedy I Want You Back alongside Charlie Day and Jenny Slate. The film was released on Amazon Prime Video and showed her ability to work in ensemble casts with established comedy actors.
She also starred in The Moon & Back, another project that demonstrated her range beyond Westerns and dramas.
In 2024, she appeared in American Masters and Masters of the Air, continuing to build her television resume with quality projects.
The biggest news came in November 2024 when Deadline reported, according to Deadline, that she had been cast as Sidney Prescott’s daughter Tatum Evans in Scream 7.
This casting was announced on Isabel’s 24th birthday, making it a memorable day in her career. The role will introduce her to the horror franchise audience and pair her with legendary actress Neve Campbell.
Scream 7 is directed by Kevin Williamson, the creator and writer of the original Scream films. The movie returns focus to Sidney Prescott after the previous two films centered on new characters.
The film is set for release on February 27, 2026, and will be the first Scream movie shown in IMAX theaters. Early trailers show that Tatum becomes Ghostface’s primary target, putting Sidney back into the fight to protect her daughter.
Isabel has also been cast alongside Jennifer Lopez in The Last Mrs. Parrish, directed by Robert Zemeckis. This project continues her trend of working with established Hollywood names and directors.
Personal Life
Isabel May maintains a very private personal life despite her growing fame. She is not married and has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships.
There were once rumors that she was dating her Alexa & Katie co-star Barrett Carnahan, but these were disproven when Carnahan married his longtime girlfriend Nina Kubicki.
In a 2022 interview with TheWrap, Isabel mentioned that she isn’t particularly romantic by nature. However, she expressed hope for a future relationship similar to the one between her 1883 co-stars Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, who have been married since 1996.
She keeps her social media presence focused primarily on her work rather than personal details. Her Instagram account features professional photos, behind-the-scenes content from projects, and occasional posts about causes she supports.
She owns a dog, which she has mentioned and posted about occasionally. Animals and nature seem to be interests of hers based on social media content.
Her approach to privacy is becoming more common among younger actors who grew up with social media and understand the importance of maintaining boundaries between public and private life.
Physical Appearance and Style
Isabel May stands 5 feet 9 inches tall (175 cm), which is considered tall for a woman and typical for actresses who play strong, leading characters.
She has blonde hair and brown eyes with a fair complexion. Her natural beauty and classic features have made her a favorite among fashion photographers and magazines.
She has been featured in fashion publications including Vogue Culture and has walked runways for major designers including Dior. Her red carpet appearances showcase a sophisticated style sense that appeals to both young fans and fashion critics.
Her look works well for both contemporary settings and period pieces, which has expanded the types of roles available to her. She can convincingly play characters from different eras and backgrounds.
Net Worth and Career Earnings
Exact financial details about Isabel May’s earnings are not publicly disclosed. Like many actors working across streaming and film platforms, her income varies depending on the size and scope of each project.
Online estimates place her net worth somewhere in the lower to mid seven-figure range, though such figures are unofficial and should be viewed as approximations rather than confirmed totals. Her earnings primarily come from television roles, film projects, and occasional brand collaborations. As her profile continues to grow with larger studio films, her financial standing is expected to evolve accordingly.
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