Tramell Tillman Plays Coy About Mysterious ‘Spider-Man’ Role

Tate McRae kicked off the TIME100 Next Gala by debuting an acoustic version of her latest single “Tit For Tat” before a star-studded crowd.

The pop star was honored by Time on Thursday night in New York City alongside other breakout talents, including Jonathan Bailey, Lainey Wilson, Jack Quaid, Damson Idris, Monica Barbaro, Tramell Tillman and Teyana Taylor.

Following McRae’s performance, several honorees took turns raising their glasses and toasting to the values that inspire them. Wilson urged attendees to “stay planted” and “water your roots” in the pursuit of growth, while Bailey toasted to the simple joys that foster human connection.

“Right now, we are technically more connected, but in isolation — and I believe we should seize any opportunity to bring people together,” Bailey said. “So, here’s to house parties. Here’s to watching films in cinemas… Here’s to slut dropping in packs, and to meeting in parks.”

Tillman, who recently became the first Black actor to win an Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for his villainous turn as Seth Milchick in “Severance,” reflected on his roots by sharing a powerful story about his grandparents’ legacy of civil rights activism in Virginia.

“In 2025, the grandson of James and Pearl Hill won an Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series,” Tillman said. “I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams.”

On the red carpet, Tillman expressed coy enthusiasm when asked about his next big role. Variety reported in August that the “Severance” star joined the cast of Sony and Marvel’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” — possibly as an antagonist to Tom Holland’s titular web-slinger.

“Who says I’m playing a villain? Who says that? Where’d you get that from?” the Milchick actor told Variety with a mischievous smirk. “I can’t say too much about that. I am enjoying my time filming ‘Spider-Man.’”

For many of this year’s breakout stars, fame is an adjustment. “Sinners” breakout star Miles Caton said he’s learning to navigate the sudden attention that comes with Hollywood recognition.

“I’m from New York, so normally when somebody stares at you, it’s like you don’t really know if they have a problem or whatever,” Caton said. “It’s a little interesting to try and see what the vibe is, but most of the interactions have been positive and good vibes.”

Sustainability was a running theme in many of the night’s biggest speeches, with honorees Brandon Sorbom and Ayana Elizabeth Johnson highlighting innovations in clean energy and the urgent need for climate action. But in Hollywood circles, conversations about the future have largely shifted to generative AI and how it’ll shape the creative process moving forward.

Maggie Kang, co-director of the massively-successful “K-Pop: Demon Hunters” (the most-streamed Netflix movie to date), believes the path forward starts with open dialogue between artists and AI developers.

“It is coming, and we have to kind of face that,” Kang said. “I do think that it could be a tool that can be useful for all forms of art production. There’s just been a lack of communication between the two parties, and I’ve talked to people on both sides, and they kind of feel the same.”

But just as Caton adjusts to fans approaching him on the street, or Wilson says “you can’t rush the growing season,” Kang admits she’s still getting used to seeing AI-generated versions of her work.

“It’s wild — especially the live-action stuff. I’m like, ‘Ooh, I don’t know if I really wanted to see that,’” she said. “Technology is really incredible, and in its own way, it’s a way for fans to create content that they want to see right away, because animation takes a very long time. But it’s a little weird to see our characters portrayed in a totally different way that we didn’t intend.”