Created in a test tube (literally) for maximum efficiency, Payton is a Texas-born writer and actress who most recently worked as the Showrunner’s Assistant on Apple TV’s LUCKY, starring Anya Taylor-Joy.
Before that, Payton worked at HBO Drama on THE WHITE LOTUS, TRUE DETECTIVE, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS, and HARRY POTTER, as well as many more projects in development.
Payton also worked as a Writer’s Assistant on Paramount’s CLIFFORD, TWO, and as a PA on set of Robert Rodriguez’s SPY KIDS and Netflix’s LOOK BOTH WAYS. She got her start in LA as an Assistant at United Talent Agency,
Outside of entertainment, Payton just ran her first marathon. It was very hard.
Some Awards/Publications:
Second Rounder in Austin Film Festival 2025 – “Jurassic Woman”
SemiFinalist in Humanitas’ David and Lynn Angell College Comedy Awards 2024 – “Ask, and My Electric Toothbrush Shall Give It Unto You”
SemiFinalist in Screencraft’s Virtual Pitch Competition 2022 – “The Actor’s Gang”
Quarterfinalist in Screencraft’s TV Pilot Competition 2022 – “Jurassic Woman”
Quarterfinalist in Final Draft’s Big Break Competition 2021 – “How to be a Girl”
Regional Winner of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival 2020 – “Floaters”
Published in Texas’ Best Emerging Poets 2019 – “Nineteen”
Published in Herstry Blog 2018 – “Fat Kids“
Press:
University Star: “Curious Incident” cast seeks to unite audience with inclusive storytelling
CTX Live Theatre: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Broadway World Review: THE COLD BREW COLLECTION at Texas State University
Payton Russell 