South African actress, writer, and filmmaker Carla Fonseca Mokgata has stepped into the global spotlight with her latest role as Orla, a powerful and enigmatic sprite (an elf or fairy) in The Rats: A Witcher Tale, the highly anticipated spin-off of The Witcher: Season 4.
Known for her commanding screen presence and fearless storytelling, Carla’s portrayal of Orla adds a mystical depth to the saga, embodying a character described as all-seeing, merciful yet merciless, and profoundly human.
The Rats: A Witcher Tale expands the lore of The Witcher universe, following a group of rebellious young outlaws whose story unfolds in the gritty, intoxicating underworld of the Continent. Carla stars alongside Christelle Elwin (Mistle), Ben Radcliffe (Giselher), Fabian McCallum (Kayleigh), Aggy K. Adams (Iskra), Juliette Alexandra (Reef), and Connor Crawford (Asse); collectively known as The Rats. Together, they bring to life a darker, more rebellious corner of the Witcher world, offering fans a fresh perspective while staying true to the saga’s rich
Beyond her acting acclaim, Carla is celebrated as a writer-director and multidisciplinary artist. Her latest feature film, A Scam Called Love (Amazon Prime, 2025), made history as the first MGM–Amazon co-production to emerge from South Africa, further solidifying her position as one of the country’s most dynamic creative forces. With a career that bridges continents and disciplines, Carla continues to redefine representation in global cinema, embodying the spirit of African talent breaking barriers on the world stage.
SA Creatives: You’re about to act in a very big global franchise with The Rats: A Witcher Tale. But this isn’t your first time working on an international scale; you also had A Scam Called Love, South Africa’s first MGM–Amazon co-production. How has the process been of bridging your world between South Africa and the United States or the West in general?
Carla Fonseca Mokgata: I feel very blessed. The world is small now, and making connections across the globe has become easier. It really takes reaching out, contacting bookers, producers, or studios, saying, “I’m a writer, I’m based in South Africa, I have a story.” With Batuk, Spoek Mathambo, and we travelled for years performing abroad, and it was about being bold enough to make those contacts. I encourage people to do the same; the world is really just around the corner.
SA Creatives: How do you feel stepping into The Witcher universe, specifically with The Rats – A Witcher Tale?
Mokgata: It’s a spin-off. The Rats are six characters who feature throughout Season 3 and Season 4, and this film dives into their world. It’s exciting for fans of the books because the Rats were always intriguing. I loved being part of that snippet of the Witcher world, focusing on these characters.
SA Creatives: You’re not only in front of the camera but also behind it as a writer and director. How do you merge those roles, and how does it feel to have achievements across acting, writing, and directing?
Carla: I consider myself a storyteller; a maintainer of oral, visual, and literary traditions. I love being able to move between roles, and I’m not doing it for trophies; it’s a spiritual calling. It keeps me alive and makes my spirit happy.
SA Creatives: In a recent interview with Between 10and5 you spoke about work ethic and about doing the work even when no one is watching, without arrogance. Can you expand on that?
Mokgata: It’s about constantly working, planting seeds, and knowing they’ll grow in their season. This industry is cutthroat, and it can break you if you don’t believe in yourself. You have to stay disciplined and focused. Having a team helps; my agents brought me this audition, but if I wasn’t mentally prepared, I would have butchered it.
SA Creatives: Tell us more about Orla, your character in The Rats – A Witcher Tale. How did you prepare, and what did you take away from the role?
Carla: Roles like this are rare, so I obsessed over her. I dressed up as her, imagined her gestures, her voice, and learned the script back to front. I even imagined she had a blind eye, because she’s all-seeing spiritually, not physically. The director loved the idea. What I took away was the importance of collaboration; even in massive productions, you can still share your interpretation and be heard.
SA Creatives: What’s next for you beyond The Witcher spin-off?
Carla: I’m working on a feature film of my own, currently in late development and heading into pre-production next year. It’s a project I’ve been developing for over a decade, and it’s finally bearing fruit. These things take time, but the best work needs breathing space. It’s about patience with yourself as much as with the work.
