Eris Baker and Us | Tess Pearson
From That Was Us by Mandy Moore, Chris Sullivan, and Sterling K. Brown
May 12, 2026 · 1h 10m
About this episode
Eris Baker discusses her journey from child actor to film student and the impact of her role as Tess Pearson on her life and career.
This week on That Was Us, we’re so beyond excited to be joined in studio by actor Eris Baker, who grew up playing Tess Pearson on This Is Us! Eris reflects on her journey from child actor to USC film production student, opening up about balancing school and set life, stepping into storytelling behind the camera, and how playing Tess shaped both her personal life and creative voice. In this episode, Eris chats about: * Booking This Is Us at just 10 years old after filming a Target commercial * Growing up on set alongside the cast and forming lifelong bonds with the Black Pearson family * Navigating school while working and missing out on a traditional high school experience * Choosing USC’s film production track and her dream of becoming a creative producer and director * Writing and directing her own short films and the emotional response one of them got from Sterling * Working as a PA on Dan Fogelman’s series Paradise and hustling for internships at production companies * Saying yes to Tess’s coming-out storyline at age 12 * Cutting her hair for the storyline and how it impacted her confidence entering high school * Preparing emotionally for Tess’s coming-out scene with support…
People in this episode
Hosts: Mandy Moore, Chris Sullivan
Guest: Eris Baker
Topics covered
- child acting
- film production
- coming-out story
- personal growth
- friendship
- creative storytelling
Keywords
- Eris Baker
- Tess Pearson
- This Is Us
- USC film production
- coming-out storyline
- short films
- creative producer
- friendship
- child actor
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: USC
Books & works: This Is Us, Paradise, Target
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