Actor and Charleston native Woody McClain is working on an exciting new comic book project called The Brotherhood, which is deeply personal to him. Inspired by his grandfather, Rev. Edward McClain, the comic aims to help young people find the right path in life.
A Personal Project
McClain drew inspiration from his grandfather, who was not only a reverend and radio personality but also played professional sports and worked as James Brown’s security guard. According to McClain, his grandfather always saw the potential in others, a philosophy that became the foundation for his comic’s main character.
“My grandfather, Edward McClain, always saw potential in people,” McClain said. “I just wanted to create a character that sees potential in younger people, to get them on the right path.”
Six Months in the Making
The Brotherhood took McClain six months to complete, although the idea had been in his mind for five years. He created the comic as a proof of concept and sent it out to Hollywood with hopes of one day seeing it on the big screen. McClain’s passion for the project is evident, and he hopes that his grandfather will be able to see it come to fruition.
From Bobby Brown to The Brotherhood
McClain is best known for his portrayal of Bobby Brown in The New Edition Story, a role that significantly impacted his career. “It gave me the confidence of Bobby Brown, because I’m a super shy, laid-back kind of guy,” McClain shared.
He added that stepping into Bobby Brown’s shoes required him to adopt a much more outgoing persona, something that he achieved by channeling the energy he witnessed while touring with Chris Brown.
“Before landing the role, I had been touring with Chris Brown for four years,” McClain explained. He said that watching Chris Brown perform on stage every night gave him the confidence to step into the larger-than-life role of Bobby Brown.
Challenges and Inspirations
While McClain has found great success, he revealed that one of the hardest aspects of acting is detaching from characters after filming. To cope, McClain takes breaks and attends therapy, spending up to a year or two between projects to reconnect with himself. He believes in being “all in” when working on a role, a mindset he learned growing up.
McClain also draws inspiration from his aunt, Katrina McClain, a three-time Olympic medalist in basketball and a recent inductee into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Her dedication to her craft has been a powerful example for him and his family.
Looking Ahead
As McClain’s journey continues, his focus on The Brotherhood signals an exciting new chapter in his career. He’s passionate about using his platform to inspire young people and share a meaningful message, just as his grandfather did in his own life. With the dream of bringing the comic to the big screen, McClain’s next steps promise to be just as impactful as his past roles.
