In this year’s road comedy Netflix film release Tyler Perry’s Joe’s College Road Trip, Jermaine Harris stars as co-lead character BJ alongside Tyler Perry, who plays his grandfather Joe Simmons, father Brian Simmons and great-aunt Madea, and he reprised his role from last year’s film Madea’s Destination Wedding, which was the 13th film in the Madea cinematic universe. Jermaine has been announced to play Frederick in the upcoming coming-of-age film Inauguration Day, and previously, in 2023, he played London Johnson in comedy series Saturdays for Disney, marking his first regular role, and he worked with his on-screen family Danielle Jalade as younger sister Paris and Golden Brooks and Omar Gooding as parents Deb and Cal, and Tim Johnson Jr. played London’s best friend Derek ‘D-Rok’ Troy. During his acting career so far, Jermaine has filmed an episode of Bunk’d – Series 5 as guest role Guion, played Henry in the 2021 sci-fi romantic comedy film The Map of Tiny Perfect Things, played Dylan for an episode of Mad About You, and in Series 5 of Ballers, he played the recurring character Lamar. Answering our questions, Jermaine told us about starring as co-lead character BJ in Tyler Perry’s Joe’s College Road Trip, being announced to play Frederick in the upcoming film Inauguration Day and his first regular role of London Johnson in Disney’s Saturdays.

Can you tell us about the new road comedy Netflix film Tyler Perry’s Joe’s College Road Trip and how would you describe your character BJ?

The film follows Uncle Joe Simmons and his overly sheltered grandson BJ on a cross-country road trip. Joe tries his hardest to teach his grandson a few life lessons about being a black man in the real world.

I would describe my character as someone who hasn’t seen many people who look like him growing up, outside of his dad and sister. He believes black people should let go of the past because it’s holding us back as a community. BJ has a good heart; he just needs the proper guidance to open his eyes a little.

How have you found the experience starring as a co-lead character in a Tyler Perry project, and how was it filming with Tyler, who played your on-screen grandfather Joe Simmons (co-lead character), father Brian Simmons and great-aunt Madea?

I found it to be such a full-circle moment for myself! I grew up watching Tyler Perry movies like Meet the Browns and Madea’s Family Reunion, and would dream of being on set with them. So, to be co-lead in my own project with him was a whirlwind.

He’s a very specific director to work with, but he’s also very giving. He trusted me a lot within this role. Having him play so many different people was amazing, and for them to be my dad, uncle and great-aunt was even wilder.

What is BJ like to play and what do you enjoy most about the role?

Playing BJ is like playing an alter ego of myself. In real life, I couldn’t be more opposite from the guy. But it was also very freeing to play him because I got to explore that side of youthful ignorance as well. What I enjoyed most about playing BJ was his physicality.

Did you have any favourite scenes to film in Tyler Perry’s Joe’s College Road Trip and were there any you found most challenging?

One of my favourite scenes was the standoff in the desert! We had helicopters out and did this whole chase sequence with the cars, which was really cool. Plus, I really enjoy the moment BJ has when he finally sticks up for something more than himself.

The most challenging scene I would say is probably the scene after the bar. It was my last scene in the entire movie I shot before they wrapped me. Tyler and I handled that car scene with a lot of care, and he also allowed me to actually feel what he was saying. A lot of emotions went into that scene.

How was it reprising your character from last year’s film Madea’s Destination Wedding and what was it like reading the script to the new film for the first time?

Coming back as BJ was an honour. The character was already really fun to play in Madea’s Destination Wedding for me. Once I knew I had the opportunity to explore more of him within Joe’s College Road Trip, I was really excited!

Reading the script for the first time was wild because I could see all the scenes in my head. I knew that it was going to take people on a great heartfelt ride that we haven’t seen on screen in a long time.

How did you feel finding out you’d booked the role of BJ in Madea’s Destination Wedding (the 13th film in the Madea cinematic universe), and how familiar were you with Tyler Perry’s work before joining the cast?

I vividly remember I was in a parking lot. It didn’t really hit me until I got home, because I then went, “Wait… I’m going to be working with Tyler Perry. What is going on?!”.

My family and I would watch his films almost every year when he was first coming out with movies. As soon as I had the chance, I called my mom and grandmother and told them, “I’m working with Tyler Perry, ya’ll!”.

Do you have any stand-out highlights from filming as BJ across both films that you can share?

Yes! The water slide scene was a last-minute scene change, and it was so fun! We also had a scene where BJ was able to drive the yacht, and it was unreal.

It has been announced that you will be starring as Frederick in the upcoming coming-of-age film Inauguration Day, what can you tell us about this?

Yes! I think Frederick is such a cool character. This film takes place in 2009, right when Obama is about to be sworn in. In the film, my character gets shacked into the school’s library to watch Obama’s inauguration, but realises it’s only him and the other five black kids in the school.

I’m super excited to work with Sterling Hampton and the rest of the cast on this, and for everyone to see this story!

How was your time playing London Johnson in the 2023 comedy series Saturdays for Disney, and what was it like having him as your first regular role?

That was such an amazing character to play. I was really excited to bring him to life. Being able to play a DJ and skate too was a blast.

Getting that was such a special moment for me. Not only being my first series regular, but to have it be with Disney too was a blessing.

Was there anything that drew you to Saturdays and what are some of your favourite memories from working alongside the rest of the cast, which included Danielle Jalade (younger sister Paris), Golden Brooks and Omar Gooding (parents Deb and Cal), and Tim Johnson Jr. (best friend Derek ‘D-Rok’ Troy)?

What drew me was the fact that we were able to showcase black joy as a family on screen. Also, Norman Vance Jr. being the creator on the show and Marsai Martin being a producer was just the cherry on top.

Some of my favourite memories with those guys was the skate practices. We had so much fun doing those, and it was really cool to see everyone’s progress along the way too. I also miss the on-set birthdays for everyone! We would bring the cake out and everyone would sing Happy Birthday for them. It was a great time.

What was it like filming for an episode of Bunk’d in Series 5 as guest character Guion?

Filming that show was like a workshop. The different ideas I was able to do for that character were amazing! With that being my first Disney role, I went in not really knowing what to expect, but also extremely excited.

I wanted to have all types of choices for the character. I remember going in overly prepared, but also happy because I was able to work with Israel Johnson, who is Tim Johnson Jr.’s younger brother.

How was it taking on the role of Henry in the 2021 sci-fi romantic comedy film The Map of Tiny Perfect Things and being part of telling the story?

It was like summer camp. I love sci-fi films, and knowing we were stuck in a time loop within the movie had me geeked!

I remember when we were filming that movie, Kathryn (Newton), Kyle (Allen) and I would ride our bikes throughout the town and explore the area. Filming with those guys was really a blast, and they made it super easy to show up to work every day.

In 2019, you could be seen as Dylan in an episode of Mad About You – Series 8 and recurring character Lamar in Ballers – Series 5; what do you remember most from filming for both projects?

I remember wanting to learn everything I could while being on those shows. Both of those shows had amazing casts, and I wanted to learn something from everyone.

They both taught me things I’ve taken to every set I’ve worked on since – to show up with gratitude every day and excitement to bring those stories to life.

I also remember thinking, “I’M ON A SHOW WITH THE ROCK. THIS IS SO COOL”.

How did you get into acting and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?

I didn’t always want to act. Originally, I started in dance and also playing baseball. But I knew both of those things were very dependent on my physical body and not getting hurt.

Acting didn’t come up until my fifth grade teacher suggested it to me. After that, I auditioned for our school play, and the rest is history. There hasn’t been anything else on my mind ever since.

Do you have any favourite films and TV shows to watch?

For me, it’s pretty hard to have a favourite show or a film! I watch movies constantly, so it goes in phases for me.

But as of recent, I think my favourite shows that I’ve watched have to be It: Welcome to Derry and The ‘Burbs. I’m a huge Stephen King fan and an even bigger horror fan. Also, I’m going to always have a good comedy to turn to.

My favourite film right now that I’ve seen is Obsession. I’ve seen it twice now.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I love to go outside and go explore. I’m a sucker for a good walk or bike ride. If I’m not doing that, then you can always catch me at the movies. That’s usually my safe place.

I’ve also recently got into writing, and that’s been pretty fun.

What are you hoping 2026 brings for you, and do you have any further projects coming up that you can talk about?

Honestly, I’m just hoping that 2026 brings more opportunities for me to grow as an artist and as a person. So far, it’s been off to a great start, and I pray I finish even better.

Aside from Inauguration Day, I also have this horror/suspense project that’s in the pipeline and I’m super excited for people to see that one as well!

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