In her breakout role as the magnetic lead in Netflix’s Ginny & Georgia, Antonia Gentry achieved an elusive brew of teen angst and biting wit. With her first feature-length comedy, Prom Dates, under her belt, the Atlanta-born actor is preparing for the next season of the series that made her name.
CULTURED: What was the biggest “pinch me” moment of your career so far?
Antonia Gentry: I was fortunate enough to attend the SAG Awards in 2023. I presented an award to Jason Bateman alongside the lovely Caleb McLaughlin. To be in a room filled with artists I admire was really surreal. I met many wonderful actors I’ve looked up to for years, but the person who really made me pinch myself was Viola Davis. I was so nervous to approach her, but I knew that if I didn’t at least tell her how much of an inspiration she has been to me all my life, I would regret it—who knows when that opportunity would arise again? So, I introduced myself to her, briefly told her how much I respect her, and it was photographed. Now, I have that picture to look at forever.
CULTURED: What do the characters you gravitate towards have in common?
Gentry: I am drawn to deeply flawed and, often, amoral characters. An actor who I think does this extremely well is, of course, Nicole Kidman. More recently, I’ve become a fan of Renate Reinsve. For me, especially for female characters, I love when a character behaves in a way that is complex and not always aligned with the morals of the audience. All of those dark human qualities—selfishness, jealousy, anger, manipulation—compel me to root for a character. It is fascinating watching actors who excel in bringing out the rawness of these emotions. I recently watched The Penguin. Cristin Milioti’s portrayal of Sofia Falcone, alongside the talented Colin Farrell, as the eponymous character, really compelled me. These two deeply flawed, morally questionable characters and the layered ways in which they were portrayed on screen, brought a grounded tone to a comic book story. It really inspired me to explore characters that complicate one’s judgment.
CULTURED: What's the strangest (or most memorable) compliment you ever received about one of your performances?
Gentry: One of the directors for Season 3 described my performance as "alien" and "otherworldly." I chose to take it as a wonderful compliment.
CULTURED: If Hollywood made a movie about your life, what single experience would it center on?
Gentry: I had a recurring sleep paralysis demon from ages 6 to 16, and then again from 20 to 23. I could see a psychological horror movie being made based on this demon—a little boy with blue skin and yellow eyes—and the ways in which he haunted my dreams at different moments of my life.
CULTURED: What is the best advice you’ve ever been given? The worst?
Gentry: The best advice I’ve ever been given was to never forget who I am and to never change my values to please someone else. The worst advice came from a professor in university who told me not to audition for a movie because, “Actors never book anything,” and to instead audition for his play. I auditioned for the movie anyway, booked it, and it allowed me to get representation. A year later, I booked the lead role of Ginny in Ginny & Georgia. I had only three days of experience on a film set, and it came from the movie I booked a year prior.
CULTURED: What's one film that got you through an important moment in your life?
Gentry: I don’t know if this counts, but The Pianist, starring Adrien Brody, is the film that inspired me to become an actor, as well as to learn how to play the piano. Adrien Brody’s performance in such a difficult, horrific story from our history made me want to be a part of bringing life and eyes to the things we, as humanity, are capable of. Storytelling is integral to making connections, showing empathy, and allowing us to see the extremes we sometimes go to. To be able to be a reflection of someone’s experiences is a privilege and a job I treat with much respect.
I wasn’t really going through anything when I first saw the film—I believe I was 5 or 6 years old—but it has become a touchstone for me, and I have watched it several times since. Chopin is my favorite composer. I have been learning his pieces since I was 9 years old, all thanks to the film and Adrien’s portrayal of the pianist Władysław Szpilman. There is a scene in particular toward the end of the film where he plays the piano for the first time in years after experiencing the brutalities of World War II. To me, it reminds me of how art is truly a healer and is necessary to keep us connected.
CULTURED: When did you learn what it meant to be an actor? What was your biggest misconception about the craft?
Gentry: I had done theater throughout my adolescent years, and at that time, being an actor on stage was a way for me to understand my own emotions through the lives of other characters. The palpable reactions of a live audience also gave me a deep sense of purpose and connection with strangers—something I, an introverted and very shy person, couldn’t achieve in my regular life.
Once I started doing TV and film, however, I realized that it all was a lot more technical than I had initially thought. It was a huge learning process of being aware of the camera, eye lines, continuity, all while staying present with my scene partners. That, along with the realization that the final cut and edit were completely out of my control, was a huge thing to accept. I have no idea which takes will make it to the screen. At that point, it is just an exercise in letting things go.
CULTURED: What’s your on-set pet peeve?
Gentry: When there is talking behind the monitors during a take, especially if it is a very sensitive or emotional scene. It is distracting and drives me crazy. Just call cut! Or wait until the take is over to give notes. I don’t need to be knee deep in a heart wrenching moment only to hear not-so-quiet muttering five feet away in the middle of it.
CULTURED: When was the last time you surprised yourself on set?
Gentry: A little while ago, I did a movie called Prom Dates. It was my first comedy, and I had a blast shooting it. It was right before the actors’ strike. I had to jump on a trampoline for an extended amount of time and I was surprised at how out of shape I am. I was heaving and panting the entire time, it was really embarrassing. I’ve now started doing Pilates.
CULTURED: What is your party trick?
Gentry: The crowd loves it when I go nonverbal on the sofa nursing a Vodka Cran. Other than that, I’m something of a pool shark.
Casting by Special Projects
Hair by Ward Stegerhoek
Makeup by Frank B
Nails by Maki Sakamoto
Digital Tech by Jeanine Robinson
Tailoring by Martin Keehn
Production Coordination by Enya Cirillo
Photography Agent: Philippa Serlin
Photography Assistance by Daniil Zaikin and Sergio Avellaneda
Styling Assistance by Moses Moreno and Mary Reinehr Gigler
Hair Assistance by Sean Bennett
Makeup Assistance by Natsuka Hirabayashi
On-Set Assistance by Giuliana Brida
Furniture by Vitsoe
Set Design by Happy Massee
