We love connecting with successful Durbanites carving a name for themselves on the international scene. People like Anna Ballantine, who talks to us about her career, love, proposals, her dream wedding dress and her take on Valentine’s Day.
A former Durban Girls’ High learner turned Londoner, Anna Ballantine is no stranger to the international movie scene, but says she loves the local scene because it really is ‘just lekker’. Born and raised in Manor Gardens, Durban, Anna always wanted to be an actor.
“I was always putting on shows for my family, making up characters and getting lost in stories. I have countless home videos of the plays I put on for my parents in our living room throughout my childhood. The first time I went to the cinema, I remember feeling as if I had to hold onto my seat to avoid flying off it and into the screen, I was so encompassed by its magic,” says the 29-year-old who still feels that way when a story truly moves her.
“I’ve always had a visceral love for storytelling, and the idea of stepping into someone else’s shoes and getting to explore the human condition has always inspired me.”
Anna was 19 when she left home for the UK and kicked off her career by attending the Identity School of Acting. Career highlights include a host of theatre and screen experience, including leading roles in film for Loki’s Game (2020), shot on location in Wales, in Academy Award-winning director Chris Overton’s short film Leader (2021), and opposite Harry Potter actress Evanna Lynch in You Eat Other Animals (2021).
She got her big break when she landed a significant role in the 2024 WWI film The Last Front, alongside Iain Glen of Game of Thrones fame, and Sasha Luss. The film was released after a red carpet premiere in Belgium on 7 February last year.
“Set during World War I, the film follows a widowed farmer driven to protect his community and spearhead a resistance during the German invasion of Belgium. I play Camille – a young mother who, with her husband and baby, must flee her home when the forces invade their village,” says Anna.
Relaying her audition for the part, Anna says: “I was sent the script and asked to self-tape a scene from it. My agent told me that the director loved my audition and asked if I could tape another scene. I did, and the next day I got the call to say I’d landed the role.” Anna adds that from the moment she read the script, she empathised deeply with her character.
“Working closely with a seasoned actor like Iain Glen was an unforgettable experience too. He brought not only immense talent to the set, but also a warmth and generosity that made it feel like a truly collaborative space.”
Currently, besides riding the wave of The Last Front, Anna is busy with an exciting phase of auditioning and exploring different roles.
“I love film. It nourishes my soul and has shaped me, both as a viewer and an actor. Every role I play, and every film I watch, teaches me something new. I’ve experienced so many dream-come-true moments in the last year – from attending my first film premieres and red carpet events to being in a film (The Last Front) that was number three in the ‘Top 10 Films’ streaming on Netherlands Netflix. It’s been an incredibly fulfilling journey and I’m so excited to keep evolving through whatever comes my way.”
Anna also recently got engaged and is in the throes of planning her wedding to fiancé, Bradley, with the help of her parents, Christopher and Evelien, and her younger sister, Rosa.
“We’re getting married next year in the Cape Winelands, and we’re loving the planning process. A lot of my month recently at home was spent with my mom, who is making my wedding dress from scratch. My mom made my matric dance dress and all my figure skating dresses when I was a competitive figure skater in my youth, so it was a no-brainer that she would make my wedding dress,” says Anna, who is loving the bonding and fun she’s had with her mom and sister especially – from designing the dress to choosing fabrics and conceptualising the entire look.
“I’m all about simple, understated, and timeless. This is going to be the most meaningful dress I’ll ever wear.”
A romantic at heart, Anna says it’s going to be an intimate, country garden wedding, followed by the best party ever with those nearest and dearest to them.
“A lot of our friends and Bradley’s family will be travelling from England, and I can’t wait for them to experience the magic of South Africa!”
Indulging us with the deets of when Bradley popped the question, Anna says it was everything she’d ever dreamed of and more.
“He proposed the day before New Year’s Eve in 2023 while we were on holiday in Austria. As a figure skater it had always been a lifelong dream of mine to skate on a frozen lake, and Bradley brought that to life by taking me to the largest frozen lake in Europe. After ice skating he had planned a spa day and a romantic dinner and later that night, surrounded by snow-covered mountains, he proposed. It was the most incredible day of my life, and I felt so loved.”
The couple who’d been dating since 2016, met via a Facebook group called London Vegan Singles and initially bonded over their love for animals.
“I’ve learned and grown so much since being with Bradley, and every day with him is full of adventure, fun, laughter and love, he really is my best friend. This will be our ninth Valentine’s Day together. We love giving each other cards and we’ve kept them all in a box – it’s our treasure trove of love letters and it will be really special to look back at them as we grow old together.”
Although she believes in showing love every single day, Anna says she and Bradley do enjoy Valentine’s Day as a chance to celebrate that little bit extra.
“A cozy evening together – going on a nature walk with our dog Casper, followed by dinner in front of the fire at our local pub, sharing a bottle of wine and talking about our favourite moments from the last year – that’s our style. Bradley is a better cook than me, but if we were to cook something together for Valentine’s Day, it’d be something hearty like a vegan lasagne, followed by a chocolate mousse and, of course, a good South African red wine. What’s not to love about that!”
Take five with Anna
Fave Durban haunts … My family and I have a tradition to go to the Glenwood Bakery on my trips home as they do the BEST vegan pizza. I also love the KZNSA Gallery and Botanic Gardens for a wholesome day out. And, of course, the beach because I miss living close to the ocean!
Five reasons to love Durbs … The weather, the warmth of the people, the vibrant cultures, the beach, and a good Durban curry!
Your go-to outfit … A flowy dress or a maxi skirt and a cute top is my summer uniform. And, if it’s cold, I’m all about stockings, a skirt, boots, and a cute cardigan. And I’ll always be wearing layers of gold jewellery – I love how it elevates even the simplest outfit.
Heels vs sneakers … I’ll bring out the heels for special events like weddings or premieres, but apart from that it’s sneakers every single time.
On your nightstand … There’s always an almost-empty bottle of water, a hair scrunchie, a book (currently City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert), and a pot of lip balm!
