Sheaun McKinney talks about starring in ‘The Neighborhood’ on CBS

Sheaun McKinney of ‘The Neighborhood.’ Photo Credit: Monty Brinton, CBS

Actor Sheaun McKinney chatted about starring in “The Neighborhood”‘ on CBS, where he plays Malcolm Butler. The sitcom is also available to stream on Paramount+.

“The Neighborhood” was created by Jim Reynolds, who also serves as one of the showrunners.

Aside from McKinney, it stars Cedric the Entertainer, Max Greenfield, Marcel Spears, Hank Greenspan, Tichina Arnold, Beth Behrs, and Skye Townsend.

Experience in the show

Regarding his experience filming the show, he remarked, “The experience has been great. The cast and I have bonded for eight years as a family both on and off screen.

“So, it feels like an ongoing thing that I’m a part of. ‘The Neighborhood’ has been an absolute blessing in my life,” he added.

“I am excited for the world to see how we wrapped it up, and then, I’m also excited to hear how people feel about that,” he said about the upcoming finale episode, which will air on Monday, May 11th.

Playing Malcolm Butler in ‘The Neighborhood’

On playing Malcolm, he said, “I am able to play a character that is going to far outlive me, and he really is somebody that people can watch with their whole family.”

“Malcolm is an all-around good guy that people can look up to,” he noted.

On being a part of the CBS and Paramount+ family, he said with a sweet laugh, “It feels good to be employed at any point, first and foremost.”

“I’ve had a chance to work at a few different networks and studios. What is cool to see is the support that the studios and the networks put behind the shows,” he noted.

“All in all, it always feels good to have a paycheck,” he added.

Lessons learned from ‘The Neighborhood’ screenplay

On the lessons learned from the screenplay, he said, “I think it taught me patience because Malcolm, especially when the show starts, is not completely on his feet, professionally. That doesn’t take away from who he is as a person.”

“So, I think it taught me patience and learning what is really important such as the values, your ethics, your morals, and when all these things are intact, it gives you the the motivation and the drive to go after what you want,” he elaborated.

The digital age

On being an actor in the digital age, McKinney said, “It’s a double-edged sword. I think I’m old enough to remember the analog days. I remember my grandpa and my grandma always reading the newspaper, and having to go outside and get that.”

“I remember when dudes first started having those big brick cell phones and portable phones but I also remember a rotary dial. I was really able to watch all of that happen, and watch all of this take place,” he elaborated.

“I think the digital age is somewhat scary these days. Growing up, when somebody bad would happen, you would have time to process it on your own or with your loved ones. These days, you don’t have the time or space to do so, especially if you’re in the public eye,” he explained.

“As a public figure, the whole world knows what you are going through and the whole world is watching you having to grapple or deal with whatever the adverse situation is. So, there are good and bad aspects of the digital age,” he added.

Advice for young and emerging actors

For young and aspiring actors, McKinney said, “Don’t be so hard on yourselves. Take the pressure off of yourselves. Every casting director that has ever told me ‘yes’ has told me ‘no’ many more times.”

“Those are the same people who put me on this show,” he admitted. “They’ve seen me before and they’ve told me ‘no.’ So, when you walk in that room, just go in there to play and have fun.”

“Do your best. Do not put too much pressure on yourself. You cannot live and die with every audition. Don’t do that. Go in there, have fun and prepare for the next one,” he added.

Stage of his life

On the title of the current chapter of his life, he revealed, “Self-discovery.”

“I think it’s something in the vein of transition and discovery,” he explained.

Success

Regarding his definition of success, he shared, “I think success at this point in my life means having a certain level of peace and being able to slow down. Also, being able to look back on what I’ve accomplished so far.”

“A lot of the times, I just hope that I’ve made my family proud… my parents, my brothers, and my grandparents who are no longer here. That, to me, is success,” he added.

Message for his fans

For his fans and supporters, McKinney expressed, “Thank you for the kind words to every person who has ever reached out to me on social media. So, everybody who is a fan of mine, thank you. Thanks for your support. I sincerely appreciate you.”

Closing thoughts on ‘The Neighborhood’

McKinney remarked, “I hope they fans get unity out of this show, especially in the day and age that we live now.”

“You are watching these two families, where one is black and one is white. The show can also be a microcosm of what America or the world could be in a way that they communicate… and they communicate through compassion and through care,” he elaborated.

“Also, it teaches you to not be afraid of your neighbor, and to understand that empathy is something we should all have for each other,” he concluded.

To learn more about actor Sheaun McKinney, follow him on Instagram.