By: Kemberlie Spivey
Q) You’ve literally grown up in front of the camera over the past three seasons. What’s it been like maturing alongside Austin, and how has your approach to the character evolved?
A) Well, obviously, I was eight years old when we started, and Austin is nine, and so I started with the character at a very similar age as him, and really understanding him – where he would be coming from at school and at home and stuff like that. But as I’ve aged and kind of drifted from that ten year old state of mind, it has become slightly not difficult, but just a bit of a challenge to be able to kind of grasp that nine year old state of mind and not present so much as like a 14 year old. So, heightening my voice a little bit and not speaking as low as my true register is and even going so far as to bend it on my knees a little bit when I have to hug Ginny (Brianne Howey) or something like that.
Q) Austin’s journey has been filled with emotional highs and lows. What has been the most challenging scene for you to film so far and why?
A) I think it would have been the scene in the final episode of Season Three where he kind of lies and dubs on his dad and tells them that he killed Tom. And I feel that’s just a big pivotal moment for him because he’s never really had a dad, and he barely even knows him. Now Ginny has kind of coerced him into throwing him under the bus like this for something he didn’t even do for the safety of his mom. And he’s really choosing his mom at that moment. And it was a little bit challenging just because it was an emotional scene and sometimes that can always be a bit of a hurdle to jump, but I feel like that is like a big, pivotal moment for him as a character.
Q) Yes I enjoyed those scenes, and I felt like I was trying not to cry through all of them because this season has made me cry. The relationship between Austin and Ginny has definitely shifted. How would you describe their bond now, and what do you think Austin needs from Ginny moving forward?
A) I think Austin mainly needs from her not so much as an apology, but an acknowledgement of what she, in a way, made him do for Georgia (Antonia Gentry). At the end, we see him struggling with what he did to his dad and he yells at her, like, “Get out of my room!” I feel like he does have a distaste towards her and I feel their relationship in Season Four does need to be rebuilt a little bit on that.
Q) Austin really looked up to Paul. How do you think the breakup between Georgia and Paul has affected Austin, especially after everything he’s already been through with his dad?
A) Yeah, that was a big moment for him. I mean, never having a dad for Austin, Paul (Scott Porter) kind of came in as a father figure, really, as his only father figure that he’s ever had. And I feel that Austin really felt secure in that family kind of situation at home that he had now. And when Paul decided to leave, I feel like that felt like a real stab in the back for Austin. And I feel we see that in him in Season Three – that he really feels like Paul betrayed them in a way. And he feels kind of towards Paul as he does to Ginny in the end where he doesn’t really like him anymore because he’s like how could you do that to us?
Q) And even in the finale now we see that Georgia might be pregnant based on her drinking milk and everything. How do you think Austin would react to the idea of having a new sibling in such a chaotic household?
A) That is a really big thing. I feel like honestly he’d be excited. You know, he’s always been kind of the run of the litter, and he’s only ever had Georgia and Ginny. And I feel a new permanent person in the house, a little baby would be kind of new and fresh and kind of exciting for him. I don’t think he would really see it as a negative, especially now, because his relationship with Ginny has kind of deteriorated a little bit.
Q) What were some of your favorite moments from filming this season of “Ginny & Georgia?” A scene you’re most proud of the work you put into the moment?
A) I think the scene that I’m most proud of is the scene where social services comes in episode five, the kind of plot twist of the entire season. That was a really big one, very anticipated, I think, for all of the cast involved and I’m really just proud of what came out of that in the real life situation that we adopted.
Q) Episode five to me was the scene that really changed a lot of stuff. It made me cry. Austin’s character has had to deal with a lot—violence, secrets, and family drama. How do you prepare to step into such an intense role?
A) Austin has, as you said, recently just figured out all of these crazy things about his family and that he’s never really known before. And so I kind of go into that like just knowing that he’s never experienced anything like before and this is very new for him. And so, obviously, processing that would be very difficult. He’s just found out that his dad, that he barely even knows, is very abusive and he’s just found out that his mom is kind of a murderer and things at school are now really rocky and stuff like that. So, he’s at a time in his life which is very unsure is the word I’m going to use. So, I really go into that, just knowing that this is a very new experience for him.
Q) Georgia’s love for her kids is fierce, but her choices are… complicated. How do you think Austin views his mom now, especially after everything that’s happened?
A) I think that seeing her kill Tom was a really big pivotal moment, as I’ve said. And in the beginning, I think that that did kind of take a toll on him. But as we saw in Season Three, he is kind of ready to brush that off, you know, when she confronts him about it, when Ginny tells Georgia that Austin knows he saw you do it. And Georgia is like, “Hey, you know that thing that I did?” And he’s like, “What? Like?” He pretends to not know and he really thinks about his mom as this person that he loves and that he’s always known. And then he chooses to kind of forget that, but it has kind of damaged his trust a little bit with Georgia. It’s so so.
Q) What do you hope viewers take away from Austin’s journey, especially kids who might be dealing with tough family situations like he is?
A) That’s the really big thing with Austin is he represents young kids at school who are bullied, especially kids that are new to school and stuff like that. I mean, that’s something I’ve experienced even in my own life. But he is really a representation of a young kid who doesn’t really…like Ginny and Georgia are each other’s…What’s the word? They are there for each other and they can really tell each other everything. Austin can also tell his mom and sister some things, but I feel sometimes he does feel kind of separated from them and kind of secluded in this realm of everything that’s happening for him, especially in Season Three with all the new information he knows, and still now the stuff at school has even gotten worse.
Q) As we look ahead, what are your hopes for Austin for “Ginny & Georgia” Season Four? Any dream scenes or relationships you’d love to explore more?
A) Well, in Season Four, I feel I have said this before, but I do think maybe a little bit of therapy should be included in his storyline. I’m pretty sure we mentioned it later in Season Three, but that’s definitely a big thing. Also, I feel like his relationship with Ginny does also kinda need to be repaired. And, again, his trust with Georgia. And I feel that maybe even like a new addition to the family might help kinda bring everyone together.
Q) Are there any upcoming projects you’re excited about that we shouldn’t keep our eyes out for?
A) Well, aside from acting, I’m currently actually doing a little bit of music. I’ve been in the studio for about a year now and I should be releasing a song very soon. So, you should keep an eye out for that. I am trying to kind of launch myself as an artist and an actor.
Have you seen those Twitter memes now with you and then, like the picture of you?
A) I mean, across all platforms, Instagram, Tik Tok, and Twitter, I’ve seen a bunch of things about that. Yes, I’m very aware of the jokes about my age and how I will apparently look in Season Four.
Q) What would you like to say to your supporters that support your work?
A) Honestly, a big thank you. “Ginny & Georgia” is such kind of a phenomenon where we’ve become so big and that is so rare to see. So little actors get to experience this. And I mean, it’s just such a thing to be grateful for. This is so rare that I couldn’t even imagine my life without the show. It’s been such a big part of my life for the past six years that I’m so grateful for the fans that support us. People say this, but it is true that we would be nothing without them, if they didn’t watch, if they didn’t support us. We are literally just nothing. So, a big, big thank you to them.