Isabel May joins the iconic horror franchise as Tatum, the teenage daughter of Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott, in Scream 7, which opens in theaters nationwide on Friday. The 24-year-old actress takes on the role of the 17-year-old who becomes the target of the infamous Ghostface killer. According to Paramount Pictures, the slasher sequel finds the knife-wielding murderer stalking Tatum because she is the same age her mother was during the original 1996 film.
Directed by Kevin Williamson, who penned the screenplay for the original Scream, the new installment also features returning franchise stars Courteney Cox and David Arquette. The cast includes Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Anna Camp, and Matthew Lillard, among others. The film explores how Sidney’s past comes back to haunt her family decades after surviving her own terrifying encounters with Ghostface.
Isabel May’s Breakout Role in Alexa and Katie
Born on November 21, 2000, in Santa Monica, California, Isabel May launched her acting career with her debut role in the Netflix sitcom Alexa and Katie in 2018. The series follows the unbreakable bond between best friends Katie Cooper, played by May, and Alexa Mendoza, portrayed by Paris Berelc, as they navigate high school while Alexa undergoes cancer treatment. The heartfelt comedy ran for three successful seasons on the streaming platform.
While working on the Netflix series, May simultaneously appeared in several film projects. She starred in the 2019 indie horror thriller Let’s Scare Julie, the 2021 psychological thriller Run Hide Fight, and the 2022 romantic comedy I Want You Back. These early roles demonstrated her versatility across different genres before landing her most prominent television role.
The Yellowstone Universe Made Isabel May a Household Name
In 2021, Isabel May secured the lead role in Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone prequel series 1883, playing Elsa Dutton. The character is the resilient teenage daughter of James Dutton, portrayed by Tim McGraw, and Margaret Dutton, played by Faith Hill. The post-Civil War western drama showcased May’s dramatic range and became a massive hit for Paramount Plus.
Additionally, May reprised her role as Elsa Dutton in the subsequent Yellowstone prequel 1923, starring Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford. However, in this series, May only provides narration rather than appearing on screen. The success of these Taylor Sheridan productions significantly raised May’s profile in Hollywood and likely contributed to her casting in Scream 7.
Other Notable Television Appearances
Between her Netflix sitcom and Yellowstone prequel fame, Isabel May appeared in Young Sheldon as recurring character Veronica Duncan. She portrayed the character over nine episodes during Seasons 2 and 3 of the Big Bang Theory prequel series. Veronica is introduced as one of Sheldon’s tutoring students who eventually seeks to reform her rebellious ways.
Meanwhile, her transition from comedy to horror in Scream 7 represents a significant genre shift for the young actress. The role marks her first major horror franchise project since her early career appearance in Let’s Scare Julie. Critics have noted that May brings both vulnerability and strength to the character of Tatum, qualities she honed through her previous dramatic work.
Box office projections suggest Scream 7 is expected to have a strong opening weekend, according to industry analysts. The franchise’s return with legacy characters and fresh faces like Isabel May has generated significant buzz among horror fans. Whether the film will spawn additional sequels or mark the conclusion of Sidney Prescott’s story remains to be seen as the studio awaits audience reception and box office results.
