We need a hero

It’s time to kick off your Sunday shoes again: Footloose is back in theaters Friday. In the revamped version, much is still the same in Bomont, a small American town that isn’t allow to dance due to a past tragedy. But teens will be teens, and they find a way. We spoke to local actor Ser’Darius Blain, who plays Woody, the captain of the high school football team.

Tell us about your character.

Woody is kind of a tough guy, but the calm one. He likes to cut loose on the weekends. Woody keeps everybody in line as well shaking things up. I like to think I’m there to keep some balance.

How did you get the role?

I moved to LA in April 2010 and got the audition in May. I went back a total of six times over two months. I didn’t hear anything for four weeks so I thought it had been cast with someone who had a name. I left it at that and just thought, ‘Good try.’ Another few weeks went by, and my agent called me when I was in the car. He said, ‘Well, they don’t want you to come in anymore’ and I said, ‘Awww, why?’ He said, ‘Because you’re booked!’ I started screaming and almost crashed my car. People were honking at me!

You live in L.A. now, but do you consider yourself a South Floridian?

Yes I was born at Mt. Sinai hospital in Miami Beach. We lived in North Miami Beach but moved around a lot, though most of my time was spent in Florida. I attended North Miami Beach High — go Chargers! — right behind the 163rd Street Mall. I get back frequently because all my family lives here.

This story was originally published October 12, 2011 at 10:10 PM with the headline "We need a hero."