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Today we talk with Tatiana Neva, an actress known for her work in Prey of Wrath alongside Cynthia Rothrock. From model to stunt-driven roles, she shares her journey into filmmaking, experiences on set, and her passion for action movies and strong female characters.
I read that you started out as a model. What led you to pursue a career in the film industry?
It’s true, I started off as a model. My first acting jobs—both commercials and television/theatrical—actually came to me through modeling. Every now and then, casting directors were looking for “pretty girls who could act.” After booking a couple of gigs and proving my ability and professional prowess, I sort of became the go-to model for those kinds of jobs and kept getting recommended for them by my agents.
At first, this was happening back in Russia, and then the exact same thing happened in the USA. Eventually, people started asking me why I didn’t really go for acting. They’d say, “Since it’s going so well without you even trying… what would happen if you actually took it seriously?” I got curious, inspired, and motivated… so I went for it. Things have actually worked out really well for me in that department, so I have absolutely no regrets about my decision. I love what I do. It brings me so much joy.
Do you remember your first role in a Hollywood movie?
A: Yes! I remember them all. There were a few that felt like the “first”… every time I leveled up, there was a new “first” milestone on that new level. They were all significant to me in their own way. Every time I make progress, it gives me this incredible sense of accomplishment and fulfilment! It makes me want to move mountains and just keep pushing forward!
In 2016, you appeared in an episode of the Rush Hour TV series. How was that experience?
It was one of my favorite experiences! I grew up a huge fan of the Rush Hour franchise, so to be cast as an assassin on the official Rush Hour TV series felt like a dream come true! It was a massive set with so many people working on it. I was so excited that I didn’t even get upset when my car broke down in the middle of the freeway on my way to the set and I had to get it towed. I remember just staying calm, figuring things out, and prioritizing getting to work on time no matter what! The people on that set were so pleasant to work with. The overall experience was absolutely fantastic, and I really enjoyed it!
Between 2016 and 2020, you appeared in several superhero-related projects. Which one stands out to you the most?
Probably Ninjak vs the Valiant Universe, where I played the role of Colonel Capshaw. She’s this tough-as-nails, badass human woman navigating a world filled with superheroes and completely holding her own among them! That was an official project by Valiant Comics, and as a result of it, my likeness was actually adopted for the comic books as well.
Prey of Wrath is your new movie, where you share the screen with Cynthia Rothrock. How does that feel?
Honestly, it feels like another dream come true. I feel like God loves me and is just showering me with amazing gifts! I feel so blessed! Starring as the lead in an action film is the dream of any actor, actress, or stunt person in this industry, and I am no exception—I’ve been dreaming of this since I fell in love with action films as a child. And suddenly, it has become my reality. To make it even more surreal, a legend of martial arts cinema, the action queen herself, joined the cast and we got to team up on screen. To say the very least, I am deeply honored and grateful for this amazing opportunity!
Where did the idea for the film come from, and what was the trickiest scene to shoot?
The original idea for the film belongs to the director, writer, and composer Doug Tochioka, who was inspired by the real-life story of an actual badass female operative that the character of Ludmila was based on. I am so grateful to him for being so adamant about hiring me as the lead actress for this film, without even considering anyone else for this role! He created that entire world and later brought me on board as a co-writer as well, for which I am immensely thankful, as I absolutely thrive when I get to express myself creatively in various artistic mediums.
As far as the trickiest scene goes, a few come to mind. We were filming intense choreography in difficult weather conditions—both extreme heat and cold—and some of it was while I was dealing with injuries, which posed an extra challenge. But after everything is said and done, I have to crown the opening snow scene as the most challenging one of them all. That one was filmed in the freezing cold on uneven, ice-covered terrain. It took the most time, we had to do it in full winter gear which was very restrictive and heavy, and I even got hurt a couple of times while shooting it. So, that one definitely gets the title of the toughest to film!
Was it difficult filming the action scene in the snow at the beginning of the movie, and who handled the action choreography?
It really was a true test of stamina for everyone involved. Just walking in deep ice covered snow is tough, let alone running and fighting for days on end! Luckily, I grew up running around in the snow and playing “war” with the boys, so doing it again as an adult—and getting to call it a job—was just an incredibly fun, full-circle experience for me.
The choreography itself was a beautiful team effort. We all pitched in ideas, and everyone’s hard work is what made it turn out so well. That said, I’m incredibly honored that my own contributions to my respective fight scenes were recognized and praised by critics and audiences. Some of my favorite moments I got to pitch for that snow sequence were roundhouse-kicking a grenade back at the soldiers, sliding down the hill while shooting backward, and hopping over a defeated enemy to use them as cover while using their gun, to name a few.
Getting official credit for my contributions to the choreography was such a special milestone for me, and I’m so grateful for it. But truly, it was the collective effort of our amazing team that made the action what it is, and I can’t thank them enough.
Where can audiences watch the movie?
The movie was released on May 1st on NBC Universal’s XUMO PLAY in North America and has been featured in the “Most Popular” section from day one onward! A huge thanks to all of the industry professionals for the great reviews, and to the audiences for watching and sharing it, which really boosted its ratings and popularity. I’m very grateful!
It is also now available on a number of major streaming services in CIS, such as Kinopoisk (VOD), as well as Wink and Ivi (via subscription), where it just released on May 25, 2026! I really hope that CIS viewers receive it as well as the American audiences did.
What are your plans for the future? Are there any projects coming up?
Absolutely! P.G.A. film producer Alexander Nevsky is currently busy working on the pre-production for a new film project. I’m scheduled to play one of the principal roles, so stay tuned and keep your eyes peeled for more awesome new movies coming your way soon! I am very excited to work with Alexander and his amazing team again, and I’m deeply grateful to him for all of the support he has shown to Prey of Wrath as an executive producer.
What are your top three favorite martial arts films of all time?
Enter the Dragon (1973): The definitive martial arts film. Bruce Lee plays a Shaolin martial artist who infiltrates a private island tournament to bring down a crime lord. It solidified Lee as a global icon and set the template for decades of action cinema. I saw it as a child and was so impressed that I started drawing Bruce Lee in different martial arts poses instead of the princesses, horses, mermaids, and dragons I usually drew. That was the first time I made a wish to be in an action film. Years later, it came true.
Hero (2002): Jet Li stars in a visually stunning historical epic told through various unreliable narrators, with each perspective framed in a different, striking color palette. The fight choreography is sheer, poetic elegance. It’s one of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen!
Zatoichi (2003): This is the absolute bedrock of the Japanese swordplay art. He is one of the most iconic, influential, and enduring characters in the history of martial arts cinema. The film is deeply philosophical, and while it provides incredibly entertaining fights, it also passes a lot of wisdom down to the viewers, which I really appreciate.
It is so hard to limit my choices to only three, so here are some honorable mentions: anything with Jackie Chan or Jet Li, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Last Samurai, John Wick, Ip Man, Ong-Bak, Bloodsport, Drive, Showdown in Manila, Atomic Blonde, Kill Bill, and many others!
What are your two favorite fight scenes in film history?
Again, it’s so hard to narrow them down… but here are two solid choices that you can never go wrong with:
The Green Destiny Armory Fight — Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000): It’s a brilliant clash of ego versus mastery. Shu Lien cycles through a ton of traditional weapons to try and teach the young, arrogant Jen a lesson, but Jen just relies on her indestructible sword to slice through everything. Even though Jen thinks the weapon makes her invincible, Shu Lien’s superior skill ultimately lands a broken blade at her throat, proving it’s the warrior, not the weapon. But Jen throws a tantrum, exploits Shu Lien’s mercy, and slashes her anyway—showing the danger of unearned power without any of the discipline or honor.
The Final Duel — Zatoichi (2003): What I love is that it’s basically a mental chess match before anyone even draws. The ronin runs the simulations in his head, sees himself beating Zatoichi’s reverse grip, and smirks. That cocky smirk gives him away. At the absolute last microsecond, Zatoichi switches to a standard forward grip, shattering his defense in one lightning-fast strike—humble wisdom beating eager arrogance. Right after, Zatoichi trips over a rock, looks at the camera, and says, “Even with my eyes wide open, I can’t see a thing.” It’s a brilliant parting riddle: Is he actually blind at all? Is his blindness just a tactical lie, or is he saying that in a world full of greed and treachery, physical sight doesn’t actually help you see the truth of human nature?
Both of those fights are more than just a display of skill, talent, or visual entertainment. They share the gifts of deep wisdom and philosophy with those ready to receive them, and that is what I love about them the most. Not just the mastery of the art, but mastery of the self is what truly matters.
Which three recent action movies would you recommend watching?
Here are a few that caught my eye lately:
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023): The pinnacle of modern gun-fu, featuring stellar martial arts work from Donnie Yen, Sumo Champion Hiroki Sumi, and Scott Adkins.
The Beekeeper (2024): Jason Statham doing what he does best, heavily emphasizing brutal, hyper-efficient Jiu-Jitsu and tactical takedowns.
Nobody (2021): Bob Odenkirk delivers fantastic, grounded, and agonizingly painful-looking bus-brawler choreography.
I enjoyed all three immensely and highly recommend them for some solid action entertainment!
Last but not least, I would like to thank Budomate for the great interview and their continued support of Prey of Wrath! I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who made this project happen: Doug Tochioka, Alexander Nevsky, Benny Tjandra, Stuart Olson, Cynthia Rothrock, and our wonderful cast, crew, and stunt team! Thank you all for your support, hard work, impeccable skills, and outstanding talents. May we find ourselves back in the thick of it on the next set in no time!
Disclaimer: The images and videos used in this interview are sourced from other sources and are used for informational and editorial purposes only. All images remain the property of their respective copyright holders.
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