Who Is Kyliegh Curran? The Young Actress Behind Doctor Sleep and Secrets of Sulphur Springs

Hollywood does not produce polished young talent overnight, and Kyliegh Curran is proof of that. Born on December 10, 2005, the American actress first made her mark on Broadway before transitioning into film and television. While many viewers first encountered her in the supernatural horror film Doctor Sleep, her journey to that role was years in the making.

A self-described triple threat who loves to sing, dance, and act, Curran also has a passion for writing and advocates for causes tied to early literacy, storytelling in schools, and animal welfare. She is not just another young face in the industry. She is a carefully trained, deeply committed performer who has already stacked a resume that most adults would envy.

From Regional Theater to Broadway’s The Lion King

Kyliegh began her professional acting career at the age of seven, taking on diverse roles in regional theater productions at The Miracle Theatre and Actor’s Playhouse in Coral Gables, Florida. That early foundation in live performance gave her a technical edge that screen actors trained from childhood rarely develop.

When she was 10 years old, she was cast as Young Nala in Julie Taymor’s Broadway production of The Lion King, a competitive role that placed her among seasoned professional performers eight in front of packed theater houses night after night. The experience was transformative, sharpening her instincts for emotional truth and stage presence in a way that would later translate powerfully to the camera.

Her first film role came in the independent drama I Can I Will I Did, where she played Lily opposite Selenis Leyva and Mike Faist. Though a modest production, the film validated her ability to carry dramatic weight on screen and earned strong festival attention. The film won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the Asian American International Film Festival, a meaningful early win that signaled she was not simply coasting on her theater pedigree.

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The real turning point came when Kyliegh landed a lead role in one of the most anticipated horror sequels in years. She auditioned for the Stephen King-based horror film Doctor Sleep while living in Georgia and was cast in a leading role opposite Ewan McGregor, playing Abra, a girl with powerful psychic abilities.

Directed by Mike Flanagan, the film was a direct sequel to The Shining, meaning the pressure to deliver was enormous, especially for a teenager stepping into such high-profile genre territory. Critics highlighted her standout performance as a key strength, noting how her dynamic with McGregor elevated the film’s exploration of inherited trauma and supernatural inheritance.

The role also earned her a Fangoria Chainsaw Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a notable recognition within the horror community.

Following Doctor Sleep, she starred as Harper Dunn in the Disney Channel mystery series Secrets of Sulphur Springs, which ran for three seasons from 2021 to 2023 and centered on time travel and a haunted hotel.

The show became a hit with younger audiences and further demonstrated her range, moving from a dark, psychologically intense horror film to a bright, adventure-driven family mystery with equal confidence. Living in Atlanta, Curran also works with organizations like Girls, Inc. and Reach Out and Read Georgia, showing that her commitment to community extends well beyond the screen.

Kyliegh Curran is only in her late teens, and the work she has already done suggests a long, compelling career ahead. Whether she leans further into prestige horror, expands into mainstream drama, or takes on entirely new creative territory, she has already proven she belongs.