Interview: Georgia Waters’ Successful Turn As Eliza In ‘Siren’

Check out our interview with Georgia Waters who plays Eliza in the hit mermaid series Siren, which will be debuting on Disney+ this month. Learn about her role in Siren, what it was like working on the series, upcoming projects like Toys of Terror, and more!

PopHorror – Hi Georgia, it’s great to talk with you. How is your 2021 so far?

Georgia Waters – A mixed bag! It’s been exciting to be busy with auditions and to be able to spread the news about projects I have been in, but I’m definitely ready for summer and seeing family and friends properly again.

PopHorror – Definitely! How did you get involved in the filmmaking business?

Georgia Waters – Professionally, my journey started when I was doing a theatre production at the University of Oxford. I was in a performance at the Oxford Playhouse, when I was scouted by an acting agent. I never thought those things happened in real life. However, I’ve been performing since I can remember, itching for every opportunity to tell stories.

When I graduated I started auditioning in London and booked a couple of small roles. Then I decided to take the leap and move to Vancouver, where I was lucky to book the role of Eliza, a mermaid healer on Disney Freeform’s Siren for two seasons. I feel extremely lucky, that was such a special production.

I’ve also been modeling since I was 15, so I’ve learned from a young age how to perform in front of a camera.

PopHorror – That’s awesome! Do you have any female actress inspirations?

Georgia Waters – Most, recently I’ve been inspired by the work of Michaela Coel, the triple threat actress, writer, and director. I loved Chewing Gum, a British, coming of age comedy, set in East London, which she wrote and starred in, in 2015. But when I May Destroy You came out last year, I was absolutely blown away. Again Coel wrote and starred in the show, but this time she also co-directed and executive produced it; not an easy feat, but she proved her mastery in all mediums. Often, as actors, we don’t feel we have much agency, so seeing someone excel at creating impactful projects, and mastering them, is truly inspirational. I May Destroy You is one of the most artistically interesting and nuanced pieces I have seen. Coel tackles difficult themes about consent, abuse, racism, and feminism, but doesn’t offer any clear-cut answers. She picks apart these issues through her storytelling, revealing how complicated they are, but without alienating the audience.

Another current favourite is Daisy May Cooper, a welcome respite from filter indulging influencers. She co-created and starred in Our Country and has recently brought out a bestselling book. And I can’t forget to mention Jodie Comer in Killing Eve.

Basically, I’m feeling extremely inspired by women doing it for themselves right now, and proving that it can be a huge success!

PopHorror – I’ll have to check some of those films at. I love Siren, what was that experience like?

Georgia Waters – Just so amazing. Everyone on the cast and crew were so talented, dedicated, whilst also being warm and professional. It was like going to work with close friends every day. There were definitely some long challenging days, especially in the winter when we were on location, but despite the rain and cold, spirits managed to remain high. In hindsight, those might even be the days when we had the most fun. It could have been a nightmare if we hadn’t been such a close-knit team.  Personally, it’s also been a childhood dream to play a mermaid, so I feel extremely lucky to have had that in my life for two years. I’ll forever be grateful to Eric and Emily, the show creators, for Siren. It was such a unique world that they created. And it’s not every job you get to learn how to free dive, scuba, and act underwater!

PopHorror – So true! A film you’ve worked on recently is Warner Brothers and Syfy’s horror feature film, Toys of Terror. Can you tell us what that film is about?

Georgia Waters – The Cashman family and their Nanny Rose stay in an old house that the Mum has invested in to renovate and flip. What she doesn’t tell the family, is that it used to be a children’s hospital, where all the children tragically died.

The nanny and the teenage daughter start to notice strange things happening around the house. They hear voices, see ghostly children, and they start to realize all is not what it seems. They manage to uncover what happened at the home and are in a race to make sure history does not repeat itself with the Cashman children.

PopHorror – Oh that sounds good! What is your character like?

Georgia Waters – Rose is the nanny to the family. She’s gentle, understanding, and deeply maternal, but carries deep-rooted grief, as she sadly lost her own baby. It was both heart-warming and heart-breaking exploring Rose’s emotional arc and backstory. She has a genuine connection with the Cashman children, and Alicia, the teenager, but she always knows this family cannot replace her own, and likewise she will always be an outsider to theirs.

However, she would do anything for the Cashman children, and when their lives are at risk, she shows her true strength. And her toughness is certainly tested by the story and the events in the house!

PopHorror – How did that role come about for you?

Georgia Waters – I auditioned for it early last year with a self-tape. Interestingly, the role was originally British, but then the network wanted her to be American. So I got to hone my American accent. Using a different accent always adds to getting into character, so I often enjoy the added challenge.

PopHorror – That’s great. Are you excited for audiences to see it?

Georgia Waters – Definitely. It’s not your traditional horror, there are some silly moments, mixed with some haunting and heartbreaking moments. The toys are brought to life using stop-motion, which adds a magical playful element to the film. On the day we were actually acting with puppet versions of the toys. My first time having fight scenes with thin air!

PopHorror – I look forward to seeing it! Any other projects you’d like to talk about?

Georgia Waters – This year I’m excited about my own writing projects, I’ve written my first feature and a historical drama pilot. So I really want some time and resources to get these off the ground. My focus is the unsung women in history. I think the industry is finally looking to diversify the same recycled narratives we continually see, so it’s the right time for different stories to shine through, as many of the most current popular shows and films are proving right now!

PopHorror – It was great talking with you Georgia and I look forward to all your upcoming projects!

Siren drops on Disney+ this Month! Be sure to check it out!