'This Is Us' Star Eris Baker Teases Tess’ Evolution, Excitement For 'Her' Reveal

Last season, actress Eris Baker got a surprise when she discovered that her "This Is Us" character, Tess, would be seen in flash-forwards as an adult. The 13-year-old opened up to International Business Times about her expanding role on the NBC drama, her filmmaking dreams and how excited she is for audiences to learn the identity of the mysterious "her" in flash-forwards.

IBT: How did you know you wanted to be an actress?

Baker: So, when I was little I always knew—I love reenacting superhero characters and my parents are like my biggest supporters because they would always like do it with me and dress up with me and it was just like the best moments. And when I started reenacting characters, I knew that I wanted to do that in real life and bring characters to life, like I'm doing right now.

IBT: Do you hope to keep acting when you're an adult or do you think about different careers, maybe?

Baker: I do. I mean, I would love to keep acting. I just love it, and it just makes me happy. But there's so many different [aspects of filmmaking] that I also want to do. I want to direct. I want to produce. I want to create my own films, and that's definitely something that I am going to do as I evolve as a person and as I evolve as an actor.

IBT: So did you know that Tess would be such a big part of the show when you were cast?

Baker: When I was cast, it was an untitled project. I went in knowing not a lot of information from the show, so when I got the part I was super, super excited to just start filming. And I had no clue that Tess was actually gonna be a big part. I just knew that she was a daughter. She had a sister, and you know she had grandparents and uncles and aunts, of course. So I'm super blessed and super thankful that my character is evolving.

IBT: Have you talked to the older actress who plays Tess, Iantha Richardson? Have you guys talked about how you play the character?

Baker: So I actually got to meet her after the show showed her on TV, but it was still amazing because one, we look alike, and two, she plays the character Tess amazing. It was just awesome to see her in general. She's great.

IBT: Does knowing Tess' future influence how you play her as a kid?

Baker: It definitely [does]. I always think about it when I'm acting, and I just want to make sure because like, how Tess became a social worker, just like Tess when she's small and Tess when she's older. You know, a lot has happened between when she was like 5 and when she was like 20, so I definitely want to bring all those like itty, bitty pieces and make sure that they're known.

IBT: What has been your favorite scene to film so far?

Baker: I always love the Thanksgiving scenes because almost the whole cast is there, the majority of the cast. And it's super rare that like everyone is there at one table, and honestly, it's so much fun. Of course, the people that act in the past on the show are not there, but still, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, everyone is always there. So it's always fun.

IBT: Do you ever get to see the kids who play the younger versions of the adults? Because like you said, they're not really in scenes with you, but have you gotten to know them at all outside of set?

Baker: Oh yes, of course, because I always have school with them. So we film in the different buildings, [but] we're still in Paramount Studios. But I still see them all the time, and also, I see them outside of work because we hang out a lot there also.

IBT: Who would you say you're closest to from the cast?

Baker: Honestly, probably like my sisters because they're more in my age range and I have scenes with them every day. But honestly, I definitely formed a relationship with everyone from the show.

IBT: So do you know who the "her" is that's being referred to in flash forwards? I know you can't tell me, but do you know and were you surprised?

Baker: I do know, and honestly, I don't think I was—I wasn't quite surprised. I just think that it was very interesting. That's all I'm going to say. You guys are probably gonna be surprised because you don't really know what's going on in the episode that we're filming, but I'm super excited for you guys to see it.

IBT: Can you say anything else about what's coming up for Tess this season?

Baker: One thing is that Tess' character is definitely going to be evolving, and I'm super excited for you guys to see that. And you guys will notice how problems and situations that are going on in the show are going to start affecting her life, and I can't wait for you guys to see.

IBT: Have you ever gotten any good advice from Sterling K. Brown or Susan Kelechi Watson?

Baker: Some advice is probably that everyone starts their career, everyone starts to let their light shine at different ages. For example, myself, because I started acting, I started taking acting classes when I was about 7 years old. I got on this show when I was about 10 or 11, so there were definitely years in between. So I just want people to know that it does not matter your age range to start your success. It just matters about your mindset and if you're honestly ready to just go beyond and just work hard.

"This Is Us" Season 3 airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EDT on NBC.