JORDAN DOWW: “It’s My Job To Help Viewers Feel Seen In Their Own Lived Experiences – And That’s My Favorite Part Of The Work”

Jordan Doww is an American actor and singer-songwriter originally from Detroit who constantly challenges himself through his work, taking on roles that reflect the full arc of the human experience and push him to grow – both as an actor and as a person. In 2025, he stepped into a new chapter with the role of young Colton Landry on the hit Hallmark Channel series The Way Home. For Jordan, this role has been the greatest honor of his career. Despite being shy as a child, he pushed himself out of his comfort zone early on, and acting became a powerful catalyst for that transformation. Beyond acting, music plays a vital role in his life – a form of healing. His songs “Had Enough” and “Worst of the Worst” are particularly meaningful to him, carrying the message that it’s time to stop suffering and start making a change.

Another major milestone in his career was his role in the film Ganymede, which wrapped production in the summer of 2022 and was released in the summer of 2024. Jordan shared insights with Drive Music Media about the beginnings of his acting journey, the importance of playing young Colton Landry in The Way Home, and the creative challenges he embraces to keep growing.

Interviewer: How did your journey in film begin? Before Colton, before your role in Ganymede... what were your first steps in the industry? And was acting in film always a dream for you?

Jordan: Man, it’s been the dream for as long as I can remember. In my first-grade yearbook, I even wrote that I wanted to be a “movie star.” Not long after, my life became all about theater, dance, and improv. By high school, I was doing two to three musicals a year, competing in dance competitions, attending talent scouting conventions, performing improv in both Detroit and Chicago, and participating in choir competitions.

I still remember my first movie audition – it was for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Tooth Fairy. I was probably around 12 years old, and I still have the sides from that audition sealed in a storage bin.

I’ve always been drawn to the world of performance, especially the stage. I was a pretty shy kid, and performing was one of the few things that really brought me out of my shell. That said, knowing what I know now about the industry at almost 30 years old, I’m grateful we didn’t jump at the few opportunities we had to move and start my career when I was still a child.

I got my second chance when I moved to LA at 19 and officially entered the industry – and it’s also when I started to fall in love with filmmaking.

Interviewer: I can’t imagine anyone else playing Colton Landry but you. It’s as if you’ve stepped right out of an era when vinyl still had its fresh scent before becoming vintage, and campfire hangouts were a summer tradition. Could you tell us more about your character? What helped you bring him to life the way we see him on screen? Are there any similarities between you and him, or are you two completely different?

Jordan: Landing the role of young Colton Landry truly felt like fate and has been the greatest honor of my life. Colton and I share a lot in common – a deep love for music, family, and friends. He’s a character who is fueled by love and driven by his dreams, and that spirit really resonated with me. I was incredibly inspired by Jefferson Brown’s portrayal of the original Colton. While it was intimidating to step into the shoes of such a beloved and established character, studying his work gave me a lot to build from. At the same time, I made a conscious effort to avoid creating a caricature, instead working to find my own footing and bring an honest, real, and relatable version of Colton to life, grounded in my own experiences.

Interviewer: Which scene in The Way Home was the most challenging for you, and which one felt like you were born for it? Why that particular scene?

Jordan: Any day at the pond is bound to be a challenging one – but as an actor, that's where the fun lives. The team does an incredible job preparing us to be at the top of our game, but when you're working with natural elements, things can go haywire fast. The pond really becomes your scene partner. Those days were definitely the most physically demanding for me, but they also ended up being some of the most rewarding once I saw the final product. I’m a proud pond-plunger.

That said, my favorite scene to film this season was definitely the recording session between Colton and Alice (ed. – Sadie Laflamme-Snow). What an absolute gift – not just as an actor, but also as a longtime fan of the show – to get to record an original song for the series, as well as Colton’s iconic "everything I wanted" he wrote for Del (ed. – Andie MacDowell) from season one. It was such a full-circle moment, and I felt completely in my element getting to blend my two favorite things – film and music.

Interviewer: Can you share a scene from The Way Home that broke your heart as a viewer – and one that had the potential to break it as an actor playing the role? What made those moments stand out for you?

Jordan: I’m probably not alone in saying this, but most of episode 10 had me sobbing from start to finish. One of the standout moments for me was the scene between Sadie Laflamme-Snow and Jefferson Brown at the pond, where Alice and Colton can finally reveal their true identities with each other. It was so raw, so beautifully acted – just an absolute gut-punch in the best way.

Interviewer: Tell us about your role in Ganymede. What was the casting process like, and how was the experience of filming itself? What did this project mean to you?

Jordan: Ganymede will always hold such a special place in my heart. Indie filmmaking is something I wish every actor can experience at least once. It felt like we were tucked away at summer camp, making really meaningful art, and the time I spent on that set is something I’ll never forget – the memories we made will last a lifetime. The cast, the crew – we all had such a blast, and I think back on it so fondly.

I was actually attached to the project – my first leading role – back in 2020, just before the world went into lockdown and everything changed. The directors took a chance on me, an out actor with little experience at the time, and we built from there. I connected so deeply to the role of Lee; it was one of those characters I just felt in my soul I had to play.

We didn’t end up filming until the summer of 2022, and it wasn’t released until the summer of 2024 – it’s been a long time coming and had a bunch of hurdles along the way, but I’m so incredibly proud of the work we’ve done and the conversations we’ve sparked because of it.

Interviewer: What kind of roles would you like to play, and are there any you would never take on? Why?

Jordan: I’ve always said it was a dream of mine to star in a musical film or TV series, which is why The Way Home felt so kismet. While it’s not technically a musical, the way they weave music and the cast’s vocal talents into the storytelling is such a special touch – and something you don’t see very often. When it comes to other roles I’d like to play, I’m drawn to anything that challenges me as an actor and inspires the viewer. I love telling stories that show the struggle, the journey, the triumph – the full arc of human experience. I’m always looking for parts that push me out of my comfort zone and allow me to grow, both personally and professionally.

As for roles I wouldn’t take on, I approach it on a piece-by-piece basis. It really depends on the project and how the story is being told. There are definitely territories I don't feel comfortable exploring, but I also firmly believe in the value of being challenged as long as it’s done with purpose and integrity.

Interviewer: Besides your acting career, you're also building a musical one. Tell us more about this side of your life.

Jordan: Music came into my life at a time when I didn’t have the words to express how I was feeling. I had just gone through a major shift in both my mental and physical health and no longer felt aligned with the version of myself that had once shared everything so publicly and willingly. Around that time, my neighbor – who would go on to become one of my closest friends – gave me the space to create, and from there, we made a lot of magic together. I completely fell in love with the process. I never got into music for any reason other than healing and staying creative, but along the way, I developed a deep love for it. It’s something I’m really passionate about now, and I hope to keep creating more as I grow.

Interviewer: Which song you've written is the most important to you? Why that particular one?

Jordan: I have a ton of unfinished projects – some of which are really important to me and tap into some deep vulnerability – but nothing gets released unless it holds deep meaning in my life. I’m definitely a perfectionist when it comes to that.

That said, Had Enough was a really pivotal song for me. It marked the moment I decided I couldn’t sit in my suffering any longer – that I had to start creating real change in my life. Easier said than done, of course, but it was a real turning point where I started looking inward and focusing on deeper healing.

I’d also add Worst of the Worst to the mix. It carries a similar, more positive message – a reminder that even if tonight feels impossible, tomorrow doesn’t have to. If you can just hold on, it will eventually pass. That song became a mantra for me in some dark times. And paired with its upbeat tone, it sets a perfect foundation to build from.

Interviewer: What projects are you working on right now? Is there anything you can already share with us?

Jordan: I’ve got a new song on the way and a special Christmas comedy finding its perfect home.

Interviewer: As an actor, what would you say is your mission? Why that particular one?

Jordan: My mission as an actor has always been simple: to make people feel something – whether it's laughter, tears, inspiration. It’s my job to help viewers feel seen in their own lived experiences, and that’s my favorite part of the work. Growing up as a shy, closeted kid, I often turned to media as a form of escape. I needed to see people and stories outside of myself that made me feel understood. If I can offer that same sense of recognition and connection to others, it brings me peace.

Interviewer: What word do you associate with your own acting journey – and why that word?

Jordan: I had to use google to help me with this one but… the word I associate with my acting journey is odyssey. It’s been long, unpredictable, and filled with both exhilarating highs and challenging lows – but every step has led me closer to the right roles, at the right time. I never want a part that isn’t meant for me. What’s mine will find me in due time.

Pictures were provided by Jordan Doww. Photographs were taken by Ty Neal and Peter Stranks