From SA to Netflix’s fantasy universe, Carla Fonseca Mokgata opens up about the journey, the character, and the milestone.
Carla Fonseca Mokgata has officially joined The Rats – A Witcher Tale, the new Netflix spin-off linked to The Witcher Season 4. It’s a massive moment for the South African actor, writer and filmmaker, and a first for local talent in the franchise.
Carla plays Orla, a powerful sprite with an all-seeing presence. Her role places her inside one of the biggest fantasy worlds in global entertainment, a big step for both her career and South African representation on international screens.
10and5 talks to Carla about the moment she got the call, the character she plays, and what this milestone means for young actors at home.
Between 10and5: How did it feel when you first got the news that you’d be part of such an iconic global franchise?
Carla: It was one of those moments that stops you in your tracks. I felt this wave of gratitude, not just for the opportunity, but for the little girl in me who first dared to dream this big. I thought of her and how far she’s come. You spend years working quietly, hoping your work will be seen, and then suddenly the dream becomes real. It was humbling, it was surreal, and it reminded me that faith and preparation eventually meet.
Between 10and5: Your character is described as an ‘enigmatic witch’. Please tell us more about who she is and what drew you to this role.
Carla: She’s actually a sprite more than she’s a witch… she’s a spirit of nature, part human, part creature… deeply intuitive and all-seeing. Characters like this don’t come along often. She exists between worlds, which to me felt symbolic. I was drawn to her mystery, her power, her stillness. Playing her allowed me to step outside the everyday and into something elemental. That kind of role doesn’t just stretch you as an actor, it reconnects you to why you fell in love with storytelling in the first place.
Between 10and5: This marks the first time a South African talent joins The Witcher universe. What does this milestone mean to you personally, and for African representation in global storytelling?
Carla: It’s profoundly empowering. For a long time, these big productions (these worlds of fantasy) felt far from reach. And now, here we are, part of them. To stand on that set and know that I represent a country overflowing with talent, that was a moment of deep pride. South Africa has extraordinary actors, storytellers, and visionaries. To be included in this global narrative means that our voices are no longer waiting to be invited… we are at the table.
Between 10and5: Can you take us through the journey of how this opportunity came about? What was that “big break” moment that led to you landing the role?
Carla: It was an in-person audition. I remember studying those lines until they lived in my veins. I even dressed as the character… a little eccentric, a little mystical… and walked into that room fully believing in her. I think that’s what acting really is, surrendering to something bigger than yourself. When I got the call that I’d been cast, it was a quiet kind of joy. I fell on my knees and thanked God. No fireworks, just a deep knowing that the years of saying yes to the work, even when no one was watching, had led me here.
Between 10and5: What advice would you share with young, upcoming actors in South Africa who dream of breaking into international projects like you have?
Carla: Your dreams are valid! Every single one! But talent alone isn’t enough… it’s about discipline, consistency, courage and audacity. You have to do the work when no one’s clapping. You have to study, prepare, and protect your belief in yourself. And when the world finally opens its doors, walk through with grace… not with arrogance and not to prove your worth, but to show what’s possible. Because every time one of us steps into that light, we carry the dreams of so many others with us. Also, don’t measure your journey against anyone else’s. Every career unfolds differently. Stay curious, stay humble, and protect your love for the work. Care less about social media!!! That’s the thing that will carry you through the brutal waiting, countless rejections and the uncertainty. And when the door opens, walk through it with everything you’ve got.
Carla’s work goes far beyond this role. She’s an actor, writer and director with a strong global footprint. Her film A Scam Called Love premiered on Amazon Prime in 2025 as South Africa’s first MGM–Amazon co-production. Her projects move across continents, always rooted in bold, fearless storytelling.
Catch Carla Fonseca Mokgata in The Rats – A Witcher Tale, now streaming on Netflix.
