From working hands-on with lions to stealing scenes as an on-screen villain, this rising vertical drama star’s path is as bold and unpredictable as her roles.
Rebecca Berg’s path to acting success has been anything but ordinary. Born in Europe and raised in a bilingual household, she discovered the magic of performing at a young age. Today, she’s known for her commanding roles in the fast-growing genre of vertical dramas, often bringing villains to life with flair and conviction.
Her story weaves together diverse experiences: professional acting training in Los Angeles, volunteer work in Africa, and steady credits across film and television. In interviews, Berg has shared insights on her career, her background, and the unique artistry behind vertical drama.
Rebecca Berg’s Life in Denmark Included Acting at an Early Age
Berg was born and raised in Copenhagen, in a family that valued both culture and travel. With a Danish mother and a Swedish father, she grew up visiting relatives across Scandinavia, which gave her a natural fluency in languages and an ability to adapt to new environments.
Her introduction to acting came early. At age 10, she was cast in the Emmy-winning Danish crime drama “The Eagle” (Γrnen). In a May 2025 interview with Vertical Drama Love host Jen Cooper, Berg recalled what it was like to land her first role at such a young age.
Berg shared that the casting director had called her mother personally to reassure her about the role. Since the storyline involved a bus with a bomb, the director clarified right away that Berg’s character wouldn’t be in danger.Β
Only after that did she explain the plot, giving her parents peace of mind before allowing her to join the production.
“I mean, they would have regardless, but that was the first time I was on a professional film set and I loved it. I cried when I had to go back to school,” Berg said. The experience sparked her determination to pursue acting seriously.
Training and Bilingual Edge
As she grew older, Berg left Denmark to refine her skills. She trained at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, explored improvisation with The Groundlings, and studied at Studio 4 under James Franco. Each school emphasized different aspects of performance β emotional depth, comedic timing, and collaboration.
Her bilingual background gave her an advantage. Danish is her first language, English her second, and she understands both Swedish and Norwegian.
Remarkably, her American accent required no formal training. “I’ve been bilingual since I was very little, and then obviously living here, it becomes like more and more. I would definitely am trying to learn more accents because I think that’s a skill that can literally always be useful,” she told Cooper. That fluency allows her to play American roles seamlessly.
She Once Did Volunteer Work in Africa
Before her acting career gained full momentum, Berg pursued an experience far from the stage. In 2012 and 2014, she volunteered at the Modisa Wildlife Project in Botswana.
There, she worked hands-on with lions and wild dogs, vaccinated animals against rabies, and helped build enclosures. She shared glimpses of this chapter on Instagram, captioning one post: “Voluntary work in Botswana isnt [sic] too bad.”
While the work pushed her out of her comfort zone, it also gave her experience with responsibility in challenging environments.
Rebecca Berg’s Steady Career Growth in Film and TV
Berg steadily built her rΓ©sumΓ© before entering vertical dramas. She appeared in projects such as the thriller “Eye Without a Face” (2021), the crime feature “A Dark Foe” (2020), and the TV movie “Honey Badgers” (2022).
She also played roles in shorts like “Sunny Side Up” (2020) and “S4V3 H3R” (2021), while her digital and TV work included appearances in “Total Eclipse” (2019), “Killing Time” (2019), and “Private Sales” (2016), giving her experience across genres. These roles built a foundation that would prepare her for the unique style of vertical dramas.
Breaking Into Vertical Drama
In 2024, Berg auditioned for her first vertical drama without knowing much about the genre. As she later explained on the Vertical Drama Love website, she booked the part and quickly adjusted β thanks in part to fellow actress Kyra Wisely. Within a year, vertical dramas became her main focus.
Her credits include diverse roles such as Anna in “Exchanging Our Hearts,” Penny in “Accidentally Pregnant, Forever Spoiled,” and Selina in “Royal Heir Breaks My Heart in a Warzone.”
Berg has also defended the genre against criticism β something she wants viewers to understand better. “It often gets critiqued for ‘bad acting’ and I don’t think that’s always accurate or fair; I’ve met some of the most talented, hard-working and clever creatives on these,” she shared.
She explained that vertical dramas belong to a “niche genre” and the performances are often directed to be larger than life, echoing the style of soap operas or telenovelas. Mix with outrageous storylines and dramatic sound effects, the result is entertainment that is intentionally bold. “The word ‘subtle’ doesn’t exist,” she added.
Her Art of Playing Villains
Among her vertical drama roles, Berg has become especially known for villains. Characters like Fiona, the office bully in “Mistaken for a Gold Digger,’ and Beta Beth, the choker-wearing gothic werewolf in “Serving My Enemy Alpha,” showcase her range in portraying antagonists.
In her interview with Cooper, Berg explained how costumes and styling help her enter a character. “It’s like once you wear that, you just kind of automatically, you carry yourself a little differently, like, all those things,” she said.
Collaborations with makeup artists and costume designers, who often provide mood boards, further shape her performance. “I love when they do that, and see what their thought is, and I can incorporate that into whatever I was thinking,” she added.
At the same time, Berg hopes to see the genre evolve beyond simple hero-villain dynamics, with new storylines, more three-dimensional characters, and compelling arcs.
“I’d love to see more themes and characters in ‘the grey area’ and not so much everything being so black and white. I think there’s so much potential in this world and I’m excited to see where it goes!” she stated.
While vertical dramas are currently her mainstay, Berg has her eyes on broader horizons. She has expressed interest in romantic comedies and period pieces β genres she believes could showcase different aspects of her craft.
