1. How did growing up in Mpumalanga, Walmer, and Pretoria East influence the stories you tell?
I think growing up in these places shaped me in subtle but significant ways. Moving around a lot, I felt the impact that change had on me and how it can be thrilling and unsettling, and even sad. Even now, I still struggle with change, even when I know it’s for the best and something I need.
In my short film Searching for Grace, the character goes through some sort of a transformation to become a better version of herself, and I think that mirrors something I’ve felt in my own life. I’ve always been someone who holds on. To people, to places, to things, and I definitely felt that as a child. That feeling is subtly there in Searching for Grace, but it’s something I want to dive deeper into and write about more intentionally.
I honestly hadn’t thought about it this much until answering this question, but I have a strong desire to explore it further. I would say that I have developed a real sensitivity and personal connection to characters who are in a state of transition, people trying to find stability, trying to make sense of unfamiliar feelings and changes. It’s something I find interesting, and I think it makes for a really interesting character to write about, too.
2. How do you stay true to your fearless storytelling while appealing to Hollywood audiences?
I don’t think about appealing to any specific audience, to be honest, though I know I probably should, especially when it comes to stand-up comedy, since it’s often curated that way. I guess to some degree, I do think about the different kinds of people who might be in the room and try to craft a joke that a few of them might connect with. But mainly, I just try to trust my gut and create from a place that feels real to me. If something resonates with me and I feel strongly about it, and I’m being honest in what I’m sharing, I figure it’ll land with the right people, and even if it’s just one, that still means a great deal to me.
3. Between acting, writing, and comedy, which feels most like home, and how do they feed into each other?
I want to say acting, especially acting in comedic roles. It feels like home because I feel the most connected to myself when I’m doing it. And if you mean “home” as in South Africa, then it’s definitely acting, because that’s where the dream started on a school stage in PE/ Gqeberha, and they all kind of feed into each other. Writing lets me create the kinds of characters I want to play, and acting helps me bring them to life.
Sometimes it works the other way around, too. When I act, it sparks ideas I can take into my writing. Comedy is still fairly new for me, and I’m definitely still finding my feet, testing material, and figuring out how it lands. I never fully know how people will respond, which is both scary and exciting. But it definitely feeds into my acting, it inspires me, and it’s helped me build confidence. And acting has given me the confidence to try comedy. They all feel deeply connected
4. What’s the boldest story or role you’ve taken on so far?
I think I have played some bold characters, or at the very least, I have made bold choices while playing them. I wish I could speak to one role that really sparks something in me, but there isn’t one that truly stands out just yet. I did play Gwen in the play Thinner Than Water written by Melissa Ross, and while I wouldn’t say she is necessarily bold on the surface, I think her willingness to connect with and care for the people around her, despite everything, was brave of her.
I’ve played a few fun and daring roles, or maybe I was the one being daring, trying to play them. Either way, I am still waiting for the chance to play a character who is truly bold and maybe even a bit unhinged. Or hey, maybe I’ll just create her myself.
5. What hurdles did you face breaking into LA, and how did your South African roots help you overcome them?
Honestly, I think one of the biggest hurdles was just trying to make friends and facing the loneliness. It can feel deeply lonely here. Missing home and my family was tough, but acting, being in class, and doing what I love really helped. It reminded me why I was here in the first place.
I’d say my South African roots helped me a lot, especially when it came to resilience. I think we, as South Africans, are strong, driven people. I knew I wanted to make the people back home proud, and that’s been a huge driving force for me in pushing through the challenges.
6. How do you balance humour with emotional depth in your work?
I think it’s about finding the funny in the sad moments, not forcing it, just letting it come up naturally. I seem to find humor in dark times in my own life, so I guess that just shows up in my work too. There’s definitely a fine line between forcing it and just letting it happen on its own.
If it’s for acting work, I’d say for me, it comes down to doing the character work and figuring out why they feel the way they do, and why they might use humor in an emotional moment. Sometimes it’s a coping thing, sometimes it’s how they connect, or maybe it’s a shield. Once you understand that, then I think it kind of balances itself and will happen organically.
7. What does your success in Hollywood mean for young Black South Africans in the diaspora?
I want to acknowledge that I’m not a Black South African, so I don’t want to speak on behalf of an experience that isn’t mine. But I will say that I hope my journey ( coming from South Africa and trying to find a place in this industry ) shows young South Africans of all backgrounds that there’s space for their stories and voices here. Being here, I’ve seen that people want to hear something different! They’re curious, open, and genuinely interested in learning about our country and the stories that come from it.
There are so many South Africans with beautiful, powerful voices and perspectives to share that deserve to be heard! Please share your stories! I know it can feel far away, but social media is such a powerful tool to get your voice across borders, and you never know who’s listening. I’m not even super active on social media myself, but I’ve seen how effective it can be, and it’s something I am trying to get better at as well. It’s one way to reach people you might never otherwise have access to.
8. Was there a character or piece you created that felt like “the moment” you found your voice?
Honestly, I can’t say that for sure. I’ve played a lot of characters I’ve felt connected to, and they’ve helped shape my voice, but I don’t think I’ve fully found it yet. Searching for Grace probably comes the closest; my character in that film feels quite similar to me in a lot of ways. But I don’t think I’ve fully hit that moment yet. I’m looking forward to when I do. I also played the Goddess in my amazingly talented friend T.W. Steward’s original fantasy stage play, In Another Life: Chapter I in The Epic of Fastersille. She was such a powerful character, and it was exhilarating to step into that kind of energy.
9. Which mentors or South African storytellers have shaped your approach?
I think everyone’s journey is different when it comes to mentors and influencers, and I tried to think of the “right” person to name. There are a lot of South African storytellers, actors, and comedians I admire and whose work has inspired me, but a lot of my inspiration really comes from personal connections and the people who truly believed in and supported me, like my high school drama teacher, Carien Grobler. She was one of the first people who made me feel like acting was something I could pursue as a career, and that support meant everything to me as an impressionable teenager figuring out my path and career goals. So I’d say my strongest influences have been those close to me.
10. How do you keep your South African identity authentic in a mainstream entertainment space?
This one’s a little tough because I feel like I’m still figuring it out. Balancing my home life and roots with the industry I stepped into as a newcomer is challenging. But I’d say the main thing is that I just lead with a deep love for home wherever I go or whatever I do. When I play characters or certain roles, I bring my own personal experiences to them, experiences I’ve had in life and growing up. As you know, I grew up in South Africa, so I take a lot of feelings, memories, and family connections or inspiration from home into my work.
11. When taking a creative risk, how do you deal with self-doubt?
Not very well, to be honest. I struggle with it a lot, even answering these questions sometimes makes me feel like I’m being someone I’m not. I’m still figuring it out as I go. But what I do know is that without risk, there’s no reward. Sometimes it’s just about stepping out of your comfort zone and going for it! Head first! Every time I’ve done that, I’ve never regretted it. And just like in my film Searching for Grace, the core theme is: “the best version of yourself lies on the other side of your greatest fears.” So I’d say I try to hold onto that when the self-doubt creeps in.
12. What projects or collaborators are you most excited about next?
Honestly, I’m really excited about my stand-up comedy journey and seeing where that takes me. I’ll also be doing a small role in my good friend and mentor Brooke Forbes’ hilarious comedy feature film, Natasha Mail Order Bride Escape to America: The Movie. I’m excited about that and excited to get silly and be on a set for a feature!
Right now, I’m just happy to be active in the industry and be here, whether it’s small improv shows or theatre gigs. I guess you never really know what’s coming next. I think as an actor, landing roles isn’t always in your hands, so I’ll keep auditioning and putting myself out there, and hopefully something sticks!
Short Bio:
Georgia Neves is a South African actress, comedian, and writer based in Los Angeles. A graduate of the New York Film Academy, Georgia is known for her quirky, emotionally layered performances and her ability to balance comedy with heartfelt storytelling. She is the writer and star of Searching for Grace, winner of the Special Jury Award for Best International Short Film. She continues to perform stand-up and sketch comedy while developing new work across film, stage, and digital platforms.
Connect with Georgia on Instagram: instagram.com/_georgia.nevespersonal, or IMDb: imdb.com/name/nm13317669.
