*In “Soul on Fire,” DeVon Franklin steps into unfamiliar territory — not as a producer behind the scenes, but as a compelling on-screen presence.
Known for his work behind projects like “Breakthrough” and “Flamin’ Hot,” Franklin takes a bold step forward as Nurse Roy in the inspiring new feature.
What may surprise audiences is not just the heart of the film, but the heart Franklin poured into discovering something new within himself. “One of the things that surprised me the most was realizing I had the ability to do it,” Franklin said of his performance. “I actually have this additional skillset.”
Stepping into the spotlight in a film based on the incredible true story of burn survivor John O’Leary, Franklin shared scenes with acting legend William H. Macy and rising stars Joel and John Courtney. Far from being intimidated, he found the process revelatory — and deeply affirming.
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“I had to take on the challenge and the fear,” Franklin explained. “What if I take on this part and it doesn’t work? I’d rather step out on faith than be too afraid to try. And on the other side of trying, now there’s this great performance.”
That performance is rooted in the kind of authenticity that drives Franklin’s creative ethos. “Good acting is about being present and reacting. I learned I have that ability to connect — to create a real experience with whoever I’m in a scene with.”
Franklin said acting alongside Macy was a masterclass in presence and professionalism. “He came to set with his ukulele, singing between takes. But when the cameras rolled, he locked in. I realized, oh — this is how it’s done. Be present. Enjoy the moment. Relaxation is part of your excellence.”
Yet for all the growth he experienced as an actor, Franklin never fully stepped away from his producer mindset. He credited the production team — led by Margaret French Isaacs — for running an encouraging, grounded set.
“As a producer, one of the most important things you can do is encourage your actors,” Franklin noted. “When you’re acting, you can’t see what the performance looks like. So that consistent reassurance from the team? It means everything.”
Soul on Fire brings urgency and empathy together in a harrowing true story. For Franklin, portraying a nurse caring for a severely burned child meant confronting emotional and visual discomfort — and channeling that into action.
“There were difficult moments — prosthetics, bandage scenes, things that looked horrific. But that horror helped drive my performance. Because when you see a kid like that, there’s an urgency to act.”
One pivotal scene stood out to Franklin. “Nurse Roy doesn’t just tell John to walk — he says, ‘I’ll walk with you.’ That really hit me. Sometimes that’s all any of us need: to know someone will walk with us.”
That theme of unsung heroes resonates deeply in Franklin’s own life. After losing his father at nine, he was raised by his mother and a community of women he still considers his foundation.
“My mother, my grandmother, and her seven sisters — my great aunts — they’re my heroes,” he said. “They didn’t even know what my dream was, but they gave me the chance to achieve it.”
Franklin’s creative fire shows no signs of dimming. In addition to Soul on Fire, he’s a producer on ‘Ruth & Boaz’, set to release on Netflix starring Serayah and Tyler Lepley. As a producer, author, actor, and industry leader, his output continues to expand — with purpose.
I’m still hungry,” Franklin said. “Even though I’ve been in the business a while, I’m as hungry as I was when I first started. There’s still more to do, more stories to tell, and more hope to get to the world.”
Distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment, “Soul on Fire” opens nationwide in theaters October 10. Franklin promises it’s a film for the whole family.
“It’s a reminder of the power of the human spirit,” he said. “What happens when we come together with compassion, care, and love — that’s when our soul gets on fire.”
You can follow DeVon Franklin on social media at @DeVonFranklin on Instagram, X, and TikTok, and @DeVonFranklinOfficial on Facebook.
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