Q&A with Gretchen Ramsden

Gretchen Ramsden, a talented South African actress starring as the lead in the acclaimed film Carissa. Gretchen’s performance as a young woman navigating life in the Cederberg mountains has earned international praise, the film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2024 and at KykNET Silwerskermfees earlier this year.

Gretchen, a graduate of the University of Cape Town’s Theatre and Performance programme, has a rich background in theatre, film, and television. She has starred in many productions as well as local television series on both KykNET and kykNET & Kie such as Arendsvlei, Skemergrond and Afgrond.

We’re excited to get to know her better, both on and off screen! 

Q. If you weren’t acting, what other career would you be doing right now? 

A. I would stay at home and be a homemaker.

Q. What’s your guilty pleasure TV show or movie? 

A. The nanny sitcom. 

Q. Do you have any quirky pre-performance rituals or superstitions? 

A. I look into the camera and say “hello mammie”. It started off as a joke and now I can’t stop doing it.

Q. What’s the most unusual role you’d love to play someday? 

A. Honestly, nothing in particular. Every character has its own complexities and it’s a joy to delve into the psychology of every character.

Q. What’s one thing your fans would be surprised to learn about you?  

A. I like old things. Classical music. Vintage fashion. Antique furniture etc… it contains a beauty that is missing from the modern world.

Q. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring actors? 

A. Have patience and know that if a role is meant for you, it will be your role to play

Q. What’s a question you wish more people asked you about your work?  

A. I’d like them to ask about the other departments on set. When people see the final product, they just see the characters, but it took a village to create the story. Costume and make-up help a lot with the creation of the character. The right lighting, camera, angles, etc…

Q. What drew you to the role in Carissa? 

A. The authenticity of the directors. I didn’t know much about the story or the characters when Jason and Devon approached me, but I knew Jason’s gift of storytelling.

Q. Was there a particular scene in the movie that challenged you the most? 

A. Every scene was challenging hahaha.  I’m always left with; “Was it right? Was it truthful?” Then I’d overthink and then trust and let go.

Q. Are there any themes in Carissa that really resonate with you personally? 

A. How your surroundings shape you as a person.

Q. How does it feel seeing Carissa now playing in cinemas? 

A. It’s a relief. It’s been two years since we shot the movie and eight years in the making.

Synopsis: Carissa tells the story of a young woman, played by Gretchen Ramsden, and her community in the heart of the Cederberg. A luxury golf estate promises development but threatens the survival of the local rooibos tea farms.

Carissa kicks off in cinema this September 2025, tickets are now live.