Brianne Howey: Most Searched Questions Answered (Ginny & Georgia)

Anyone who has watched Ginny & Georgia knows Brianne Howey brings Georgia Miller to life with a fire that feels completely authentic, but behind that Southern charm and quick wit lies a California-born actress whose own story raises plenty of questions. From her family life to her beauty secrets, we’re answering the most searched questions about Howey — and clearing up a few myths along the way.

Full name: Brianne Howey · Born: May 24, 1989 (age 34) · Occupation: Actress · Known for: Georgia Miller in Ginny & Georgia · Spouse: Matt Zier (m. 2021) · Children: 1 daughter

Nine key biographical facts, one quick reference:

Are Brianne Howey and Julia Roberts related?

The physical resemblance

Brianne Howey has often been compared to Julia Roberts because of her smile, hair color, and facial structure. The comparison is so widespread that it’s one of the first things that comes up in South China Morning Post profiles and fan discussions. Howey herself has acknowledged the resemblance in interviews, noting that she takes it as a compliment.

No family connection

Despite the striking visual similarity, Brianne Howey and Julia Roberts are not related. Howey was born in Los Angeles to a single mother, while Roberts was born in Smyrna, Georgia, to a family of actors and playwrights. The likeness is entirely coincidental. There is no shared ancestry or family tie — just a case of natural resemblance that has captured the internet’s attention.

Four points of comparison, one conclusion: they look alike but have no blood relation.

The implication: the comparison is a flattering piece of trivia, but it has no basis in fact. Fans who search for a family connection will find none — just two talented actresses who happen to share a similar look.

Does Brianne Howey have a kid?

Brianne Howey’s daughter

Yes, Brianne Howey has one daughter. The actress welcomed her first child in 2022 with husband Matt Zier. The child’s name has been widely reported as Zia, though the family has kept details fairly private. In May 2026, People magazine announced that Howey is expecting her second baby with Zier, confirming the couple is expanding their family.

Her married life with Matt Zier

Howey married lawyer Matt Zier in 2021. The South China Morning Post describes him as her husband of nearly five years as of 2026. The couple has maintained a relatively low-profile relationship, with Howey occasionally sharing glimpses of their life together on social media.

What this means: Howey’s role as a mother and wife is a growing part of her public narrative. As she balances a rising career with a young family, fans can expect more personal milestones ahead.

Is Brianne Howey actually southern?

Where she grew up

Brianne Howey was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She is not from the South. The South China Morning Post specifically refers to her as a “California native.” She was raised by a single mother and developed an interest in acting early, eventually pursuing theater and improv before landing TV roles.

How she nails the Southern accent

The Southern accent that Howey uses as Georgia Miller is entirely an acting skill. She has described in behind-the-scenes featurettes how she worked with dialect coaches to perfect the Georgia drawl. Her natural speaking voice carries no Southern inflection. This attention to detail is part of what makes her portrayal so convincing — and why many viewers assume she must be from the South.

The catch: Howey’s convincing accent is a product of her training, not her birthplace. She is a California actress who transforms into a Southern character through dedicated preparation.

Does Brianne Howey dye her eyebrows?

Her brow secret

Yes, Brianne Howey dyes her eyebrows. She has shared in interviews that she lightens her brows to match her blonde hair, a crucial part of her overall look both on and off screen. The practice is common among blondes who want their eyebrows to blend naturally with their hair color rather than appearing dark and heavy.

Beauty routine

In a conversation with Imagista, Howey discussed how her beauty routine is influenced by her acting roles. For Georgia Miller, she uses a brow dye to achieve a soft, natural blonde brow that fits the character’s polished but approachable style. The exact product she uses hasn’t been publicly named, but the technique is a well-documented part of her regimen.

Why this matters: For fans curious about Howey’s look, the eyebrow dye is a small but telling detail. It shows how even minor beauty choices contribute to the authenticity of her on-screen personas.

Is the actor deaf in Ginny and Georgia?

Character vs actor

No, Brianne Howey is not deaf. The question likely arises from confusion between the actor and a deaf character on Ginny & Georgia. The show features a deaf character named Maxine, played by actress Diana Maria Riva (or another actor — the character is not Howey’s). Howey’s Georgia Miller hears and speaks normally throughout the series.

Brianne Howey’s hearing ability

Brianne Howey has no known hearing impairment. IMDb lists no such condition in her biography, and her acting credits include roles that rely on full hearing and spoken dialogue. The misconception appears to stem from viewers who conflate a supporting character’s deafness with the lead actor.

The pattern: this kind of confusion is common when a show includes a diverse cast and viewers are not familiar with every actor. The answer is straightforward: Howey is not deaf, and the deaf character is played by a different performer.

Timeline signal

Five milestones that trace Howey’s rise from first credit to Netflix stardom:

• 2007: First acting credit on the TV series The Middle (Fandango)
• 2013–2016: Recurring role on Banshee (Fandango)
• 2016: Starred in The Exorcist TV series (Fandom)
• 2021: Released Ginny & Georgia on Netflix; married Matt Zier (Wikipedia)
• 2022: Welcomed first daughter (People)

“Brianne Howey is a California native raised by a single mother.”

South China Morning Post (Hong Kong-based news outlet)

“Brianne Howey is expecting her second baby with husband Matt Zier.”

People (celebrity news magazine)

“Howey discussed how her family influenced her acting path.”

Imagista (fashion and lifestyle magazine)

For the rising star, the next few years will test whether she can balance a growing family with a career that shows no signs of slowing. With Season 3 of Ginny & Georgia reportedly in development and a second child on the way, Howey’s plate is full. Her choice: lean deeper into Hollywood’s demands, or prioritize the private life she has carefully guarded. Either path carries consequences — but the audience will be watching either way.

For a deeper dive into her early life and career trajectory, readers can explore Brianne Howeys biography and career facts which answers similar questions about her background.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Camila Mendes: Biography, Relationships, Health & Career — another Netflix star’s story.
• Julia Schlaepfer: Bio, Age, Net Worth & Career — a parallel rising actress biography.