Our latest digital cover for Popternative Magazine for the month of June features actor Nikki Roumel known for her powerful and captivating performance as young Georgia in Netflix’s hit series, Ginny & Georgia. Season 3 premiered on June 5, which quickly debuted to the No. 1 viewed title on the platform with 17.6 million views for the week of June 2. A fourth season was already confirmed ahead of Season 3’s launch.
In our exclusive cover feature, Nikki goes into detail about playing young Georgia for thee seasons, how she prepares for the flashback scenes, her favorite scenes from Season 3, and what she hopes to see from young Georgia in the upcoming fourth season.
Exclusive photos for Popternative Magazine by Lu Chau (@Photagonist).
After playing young Georgia now for three seasons, do you have a better sense of who she is? How would you characterize her in the Season 3 flashbacks?
Nikki: Yes and no. I don’t think even Georgia knows who she is, not fully. She’s worn a mask for so long and has spent so long defending her actions that a lot is blurred. I learned more about her resourcefulness and how it highlights the fact that every decision made by Georgia can be traced back to the moment Ginny and Austin were born. So much of it is in survival mode, dialed up to protect the two that mean the most in the world to her. Young Georgia this season is confident and clever. She is not only living in survival mode, but she is creating the illusion of thriving.
Photo: Lu Chau
Was there a particular scene from this season you enjoyed filming the most?
Nikki: Yes. I love this question. The flashlight tag scene was probably my favorite this season. It was so hot in the studio, so we were running around sweating but doing what actors do best: playing. I also love the car picnic scene; we had such limited time to film that, with the sun going down, food and resets were involved, and I think it turned out great. The scene, since we were on a tandem unit, was directed by our DOP Asaf Benny, who’s been a part of the show since the beginning; he’s so talented, so it was fun doing that, running around with the kids and watching the sunset.
In the flashbacks, we see how Georgia always remains positive and upbeat around her children among a darker backdrop of her life. How do you balance portraying those layers on screen?
Nikki: I think it’s imperative to shield that from the kids in real life, too, which everyone on set does such a great job of. My kids in the show, Camilla [Bascom] and Leo [Hepburn], are fabulous, and we had a great time. We bonded on and off screen, so a lot of it was playing off of each other. The situation and reality came naturally. We all wear a mask; I know I put mine on to exist every day. The world can be scary, so it’s about channeling that.
What was interesting about this season, in particular, which some people may have missed, is that the flashbacks are mainly told from Ginny’s perspective. Knowing that led me to play it up a little; it’s not as much about how Georgia is, but about how Ginny sees her in those moments. Georgia is filled with darkness and trauma, but does Ginny see that growing up? It’s something that’s more heavily covered later on, so it was essential to go into season three as young Georgia with that in mind.
Photo: Lu Chau
What is your approach and process to playing younger Georgia? Do you get to be on set when Brianne Howey is filming to see how she portrays her?
Nikki: I started season one by watching every project of Brianne’s to get a grasp on her mannerisms. Filming was incredibly quick; I was cast after one audition, followed by a table read, one sit-down session with a dialect coach, and then on set a week later. The first scene of the entire series that was filmed was a scene with Kyle [Bary] and me, so I didn’t have the chance to watch Brianne’s filming on set. There was a lot of instinct and time in between, and thankfully, those table reads are essential! This season, that gap filled in so much that more minor details started to become a focus of mine.
It was very research-based, as well as getting in touch with my personal trauma and ways of relating to the character. I’ve learned healthier ways to do so since we filmed season one about six years ago. Then, in seasons two and three, I had a basis for watching the previous seasons to get an idea of where to take it. I never worked with Brianne one-on-one to develop the character; she is extraordinary, and I’m fortunate that she trusted me to share a small part of her character.
Photo: Lu Chau
We know Season 4 is on the way. How excited are you for the new season, and what do you hope we get see from young Georgia next?
Nikki: I’m stoked for Season 4; honestly, as both an actor and a fan of the show, I want to know what happens. We’ve heard about her past with her mother and stepfather, and I’m hoping we get to see a little more of that with young Georgia and that dynamic—also, more Georgia and Zion. I would never complain about working with Kyle Bary, or Ben Steele Caldwell, who plays young Gil (not that we approve of Gil). I’m also hoping she and the kids can have more special, heartwarming moments that help her experience glimpses of the childhood Georgia never had, at least while it lasts!
Photo: Lu Chau
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Season 3 of Ginny & Georgia is streaming globally on Netflix.
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