Virtually unknown one moment and an overnight sensation the next, Brianne Howey skyrocketed to fame after landing the title role in the hit Netflix show “Ginny & Georgia”. The role secured her widespread recognition and the love of audiences everywhere. More details follow on los-angeles.pro.
Childhood and Early Life
Born in Pasadena, California, Howey was the eldest of five children in a large family. She was raised by a single mother. Howey has shared how symbolic the number 21 is to her: she was born when her mother was 21, and her mother passed away when Brianne was 21. They were extremely close.
Brianne Howey’s mother played a significant role in her life and served as a major inspiration. Her mother was one of eight children and came from very humble beginnings, yet by the age of 30, she had become the CEO of her own company. This was a powerful example of leadership, showing both the triumphs and the sacrifices. Because her mother worked hard and traveled frequently, Brianne was primarily raised by her grandparents and numerous nannies.
Brianne attended an all-girls Catholic high school in Pasadena, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy. It was here that she joined the improvisation team. This decision proved fateful, sparking her desire to become an actress. She found her voice in high school through her involvement in improv and plays. Along with other students, they would perform shows at a nearby boys’ school.
Howey recalls this experience as a time when she was trying to figure out “her thing.” Not being athletic, she didn’t make any sports teams, but she auditioned for the improv team instead. She was surprised by how comfortable she felt. Her coach then encouraged her to audition for plays, even though she wasn’t a singer or dancer. This experience taught her the valuable lesson of taking risks and stepping outside her comfort zone, as that is when self-discovery truly begins.
Choosing a Career Path
In 2011, Brianne graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree. She went on to study at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute while also taking additional classes in child psychology.
Brianne worked multiple jobs during college. For instance, she took an administrator position at a hair salon where her sister worked at the time. While the future star was at the front desk, Hugh Jackman walked in with his two children. He asked if his youngest daughter could use the restroom, and upon leaving, he told Brianne:
“Tell Brianne thank you, she’s going to be a famous actress someday.”
In one interview, she recalled that immediately after finishing college, she signed with an agency, and her manager has remained the same ever since.
Early Roles and Rising Star
The actress began appearing in roles as early as the 2000s. Brianne Howey recalls starting with just one line, then a couple of lines, and eventually, one episode turned into several. In her opinion, the further an actor goes, the more doors open up for them.
The actress has starred in the following films and series:
- While still in college, she appeared in an episode of the iconic series “Beverly Hills, 90210”, playing the character Stacy. This proved to be a pivotal starting point for her career.
- In 2013, Howey played a role in the series “Twisted Tales”, and in 2014, she appeared as Candy in the comedy film “Horrible Bosses 2” alongside Jason Bateman.
- In 2015, Brianne landed her first starring role in the British TV series “I Live with Models”, prompting her to move to London for a period.
- The actress was not limited to one type of role. For instance, in 2016, she was cast as Kat Rance in the TV series “The Exorcist”, playing the sister of the possessed girl.
- In 2019, the actress played Shauna Babcock in the TV series “The Passage”, based on the novel trilogy by Justin Cronin. That same year, she starred in the romantic comedy “Plus One”, further showcasing her versatility.
Brianne Howey continued to work actively, but her role as Georgia brought her true fame.
The Success of “Ginny & Georgia”
The series premiered on February 24, 2021, quickly amassing 52 million subscribers on Netflix. The show maintained high ratings, securing its renewal. The second season was released on January 5, 2023.
The plot follows Georgia, Ginny, and Austin as they attempt to build a new life in Wellsbury, Massachusetts. The series plunges viewers into serious and timely issues, including abuse, sexuality, race relations, and pervasive fear.
Despite the complex themes, viewers are captivated by the main character, Georgia. According to Howey, Georgia’s children will always come first, but that doesn’t rule out romance. Moreover, Georgia always has a plan: she’s playing a game with people who don’t even realize they are part of it.
The actress shared that her friends and family are incredibly supportive. Brianne herself strives to maintain a crucial work-life balance.
Fascinating Facts
- Brianne Howey values her strong work ethic. She works diligently and always takes her job seriously, feeling rewarded by the results of her effort.
- The actress used to be afraid to ask for an extra take, but she is now confident enough to know she has that option. She occasionally reviews her past projects and realizes the result would have been significantly better if she had requested just one more take.
- Brianne Howey admires several Hollywood stars: Sharon Horgan (screenwriter, producer, director, and actress), Olivia Colman (as an example of someone who started in supporting roles but later took the lead), and Jason Bateman (for his successful transition from comedy to drama and directing).
- The actress absolutely loves going to farmers’ markets. In one interview, she stated it was her favorite thing in the world.
- Brianne’s interest in child psychology started almost accidentally. Taking classes in college, she became increasingly intrigued by the field. Had she not pursued acting, she would have chosen child psychology as a career.
The Star’s Private Life
Observing Georgia’s active romantic life makes one curious about the private life of Brianne Howey, who plays her. By contrast, Howey’s personal life is calm and happy.
Brianne Howey had been dating attorney Matt Ziering since 2014. Ziering grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from Loyola Law School, being admitted to the California State Bar in 2017.
They met at an LA bar through mutual friends and began dating shortly after their first meeting. The couple planned to marry in October 2020, but the event had to be postponed due to the pandemic.
On July 24, 2021, Brianne and Matt exchanged vows and married at their California home in their backyard in Palos Verdes. The actress recalled in an interview that the feeling was incredible. The intimate event included around a hundred of their closest friends and family members.
In 2020, the couple adopted a dog named Bode. Since they started dating, they have traveled extensively, sharing photos from India, Mexico, Hawaii, Turkey, and Australia. They are also known to ski in Colorado.
In June 2023, the couple welcomed a daughter. Brianne’s colleagues and fans celebrated the new addition to their family. A particularly heartwarming congratulation came from her on-screen children, Ginny and Austin.
