Last updated on: July 28, 2025
You ever stumble on a show, fall in love with a character—and then realize the actor behind it is the same one you saw in something completely different? That was me with Isabel May. One moment, she’s the bubbly best friend in a high school sitcom. Next, she’s riding across the 19th-century plains, narrating death, love, and survival with the kind of depth that haunts you.
This girl didn’t just switch genres—she tore through them.
So today, let me take you on a journey. Not through her filmography, but through her evolution. Her transformation. Because Isabel May didn’t just act in these shows. She lived them. And when you watch her, it feels personal.
Here’s a Look at the Top 5 TV Shows That Shaped Isabel May’s Career
Told in a way that feels like we’re swapping Netflix picks over coffee.
1. 1883 (2021–2022)
You know how some performances just stay with you? Like, really stay with you. That’s what 1883 did to me—and thousands of others.
Isabel plays Elsa Dutton, a young woman traveling west with her family in the 1800s. Sounds simple, right? But the way she brings this character to life… it’s gut-wrenching, poetic, and somehow beautiful all at once. She’s not just a girl with dreams. She’s the soul of the story.
Her narration carries the entire series. And not in a background voiceover kind of way. No—this is storytelling at its rawest. Her words are full of wonder, pain, and a kind of clarity you don’t expect from someone so young. It hits you hard. Like you’re reading her diary while history unfolds.
There’s one episode—I won’t spoil anything—but there’s a scene with Elsa and her horse that had me frozen. She wasn’t acting. She was Elsa. I think that’s why 1883 worked. Because Isabel didn’t play a role. She became it.
2. Yellowstone (2024)
Here’s where it gets interesting.
If 1883 was her breakthrough, Yellowstone brought her full circle. Even though her screen time is limited, when Elsa shows up again—especially in flashbacks or visions—it means something. It’s like seeing a ghost that still holds power over the present.
Now, if you’ve followed the Yellowstone franchise, you know it’s gritty, tense, and full of family drama. Isabel May’s appearance might feel brief to new viewers. But for those of us who watched 1883? It’s emotional. Elsa’s legacy echoes through the land, and May’s presence ties it all together.
Honestly, seeing her return was like bumping into an old friend—one who didn’t get the ending she deserved. And even in just a few moments, Isabel manages to remind us why we fell for her in the first place.
3. Masters of the Air (2024)
Okay, time for a gear shift.
In Masters of the Air, Isabel drops the prairie dress and jumps into the tension of World War II. Produced by the minds behind Band of Brothers and The Pacific, this Apple TV+ drama is intense, fast-paced, and packed with emotion.
And Isabel? She holds her own.
She doesn’t play a soldier, obviously, but her role supports the emotional backbone of the story. There’s a calm strength to her performance—a kind of quiet resilience that helps balance the chaos of war. She’s not in the cockpit, but she makes you feel the stakes just as much.
This role proved something to me. Isabel isn’t just a “frontier girl” or “teen sitcom star.” She can shift tones, settings, and eras without losing her authenticity. She steps into every new story with fresh energy, and it shows.
It’s like watching an artist who’s just starting to paint with new colors.
4. American Masters (2024)
Here’s a curveball.
In American Masters, the long-running PBS documentary series, Isabel does something totally different. She doesn’t play a fictional character. Instead, she lends her voice and presence to real-life stories—of artists, pioneers, and cultural legends.
I didn’t expect to see her here. But that’s kind of what made it special.
In a world where young actors often chase fame and flashy roles, Isabel took a step toward storytelling with meaning. Whether she’s narrating or acting in dramatizations, she treats the subjects with respect and care.
It’s not a series built on drama or spectacle. It’s about truth. And Isabel brings a gentle strength to it that fits perfectly. She knows when to step back, when to let the story shine, and when to lean in with empathy.
It made me see her not just as an actress—but as a storyteller in every sense of the word.
5. Alexa & Katie (2018–2020)
Let’s rewind.
Before the frontier. Before the bombers. There was Katie Cooper—your typical high school best friend, trying to make sense of lockers, crushes, and cancer.
Alexa & Katie was Isabel May’s first major role. A teen sitcom on Netflix, full of laughs, friendship, and surprisingly emotional moments. And she nailed it.
You could tell, even then, that there was something special about her. She didn’t play Katie as just the sidekick. She gave her personality, flaws, charm—everything. Her chemistry with Paris Berelc (who plays Alexa) felt real. Like the kind of friend who’d sneak out with you just to get milkshakes at midnight.
And the way she handled the heavier moments? Honest. Gentle. Real.
I remember watching it with my younger cousin, and halfway through Season 2, she looked over and said, “I want a friend like Katie.” That’s when I knew Isabel wasn’t just another teen actress. She was connecting with people.
That role might seem “light” compared to 1883, but make no mistake—it laid the foundation. And I’m glad it did.
What Makes Her Different?
Here’s the thing about Isabel May: she doesn’t just show up on screen—she invites you in.
She’s not flashy. Not overdone. She listens. Reacts. Feels. And that’s rare.
Her acting style is grounded in subtlety. She doesn’t over-explain or oversell emotions. Instead, she lets moments breathe. You feel what she feels without her needing to spell it out. That takes instinct. And she has it.
She’s also fearless in her choices. From a laugh-track sitcom to a tragic Western epic to a historical docuseries—it’s like she’s quietly telling the world, “I’m not here to be boxed in.”
And I respect the hell out of that.
What’s Next for Isabel May?
If you’re asking me? I think she’s just getting started.
There’s buzz about upcoming roles—maybe another period drama, maybe something totally new. Honestly, I’d love to see her in an indie romance or even a psychological thriller. Something that stretches her even more.
Whatever it is, I know one thing for sure: she’s going to surprise us. Again.
Because that’s what Isabel May does best—she shows up where you least expect her… and leaves you speechless.
Final Thoughts
Because she feels real.
In an industry full of performances that scream for attention, Isabel May speaks in whispers. And somehow, you hear her louder than anyone else.
So if you’re looking for an actress who’s more than just her roles—someone who grows with every story she tells—watch these five shows.
And when you do, don’t just watch for the plot. Watch her.
Because Isabel May doesn’t just play characters. She reminds you of yourself, your dreams, your fears… and the people you’ve loved and lost along the way.
And honestly? That’s rare. That’s unforgettable.
