Pop-Culturalist.com

Georgia MacPhail is poised to become one of the breakout stars of the summer, having secured the coveted role of Elizabeth Kittredge in the highly-anticipated Horizon: An American Saga. Her portrayal captivates audiences with its nuanced and dynamic depiction of a young woman thrust into maturity to protect her loved ones. Acting alongside legends Kevin Costner and Sienna Miller, Georgia effortlessly holds her own on screen. Pop Culturalist had the privilege of speaking with Georgia about her experience with Horizon: An American Saga, collaborating with this star-studded team, and her unforgettable moment experiencing an eleven-minute standing ovation at Cannes.

PC: You’re one of the stars of Horizon: An American Saga. What was it about this script and character that resonated with you?
Georgia: That’s a great question. What really resonated with me about the script and the film is that it’s a part of history that not many people know about or realize happened. It’s really important to tell this story. It was such an honor for me to play this part, which I hope will make a lasting impact on audiences. It’s a really cool project and character.

PC: Your character has such an emotional journey throughout the film, and she’s forced to grow up rather quickly. As an actress, how did you find your way into this character?
Georgia: I definitely had to learn about the time period, which was the 1860s. I watched a lot of Little House on the Prairie to understand what it was like for a girl traveling as a pioneer. I also underwent specialized horseback riding and country dancing training, all of which helped me portray this character.

PC: You also shot this on location. How helpful was that in immersing yourself in this world and time period?
Georgia: It was incredibly helpful because shooting on location is so different from being in a studio in Burbank. Being there, it felt very real. Looking around, I thought, “Wow, I’m really a part of this project. I’m immersed in this world.”

PC: Most of your scenes are opposite Sienna [Miller]. What did you learn from working with her? How did her performance influence your own?
Georgia: I learned from working with her that the script is really just a guide. Every actor brings their own emotional depth to the character, which enhances the realism and drama of the movie. It was really cool to see that in action and learn from her approach.

PC: Kevin [Costner] co-wrote and directed all these films. What was it like getting to collaborate with him? Is it a different experience when your director also has experience in front of the camera?
Georgia: It was really cool. It’s different because Kevin is also an actor. He really understood that we had our own ideas for our characters. It felt like a true collaboration. He would ask us a lot of questions about the scene, our character’s emotions, and what led them to that moment in time.

PC: The film got an eleven-minute standing ovation at Cannes. What was it like experiencing this cinematic epic with a live audience? What do you hope audiences take away?
Georgia: It was amazing. Being at Cannes and experiencing that standing ovation was unreal. As for what I hope audiences take away, it comes back to what I mentioned earlier—this is a part of history that few know about. It’s crucial that people understand what happened because it’s unjust to those who suffered. This is a significant part of United States history that shaped the American West. It’s a beautifully tragic story that everyone should hear.

PC: Part 2 is coming out later this summer. Is there anything you can tease about what audiences can expect from your character?
Georgia: In the first film, she’s really sassy, precocious, and innocent. But as time goes on, she evolves into a more mature, stronger person who has to defend herself and her mom. It’s a cool character arc.

PC: This project is going to open so many doors for you. Do you have a dream role that you’d like to play in the future?
Georgia: My dream project would be a cool Marvel action movie where I could do my own stunts. That would be super awesome. I love superhero movies.

To keep up with Georgia, follow her on Instagram. Horizon: An American Saga is out in theaters now.

Photo Credit: Jonny Marlow