A newly observed isomeric intruder ½ + state [ T ½ = 3.5 ( 6 ) ms ] is identified in 203 At using a gas-filled recoil separator and fusion-evaporation reactions. The isomer is depopulated through a cascade of E 3 and mixed M 1 / E 2 transitions to the 9 / 2 − ground state, and it is suggested to originate from the π ( s ½ ) − 1 configuration. In addition, the structures above the ½ + state in 203 At and 197 At are studied using in-beam γ -ray spectroscopy, recoil-decay tagging, and recoil-isomer decay tagging methods. The ½ + state is fed from 3 / 2 + and 5 / 2 + states, and the origin of these states are discussed.