If you enjoy murder mysteries and Meridian success stories, there’s a television show waiting for you Friday night.

Meridian native Zolan Henderson is scheduled to appear in an episode of Truth is Stranger Than Florida on the Investigation Discovery Channel.

Henderson will re-enact the role of Detective Ryan Bell in an episode to be aired at 9 p.m. Friday on IDC – a TV network that specializes in documentary-style true crime programs. 

Truth is Stranger Than Florida utilizes a mixture of re-enactments featuring actors and interviews with real-life participants. The show devotes each episode to a different true crime case from the annals of the Sunshine State. Each episode introduces a different case both famous and infamous.

Henderson, who graduated from Meridian High School in 1998, said he was in 10th grade when he decided he wanted a  career as an actor.

“I’ve always been around artists – my dad was a sound man for Peavey’s before he retired, so I was always around musicians and artistic types,” Henderson said. “At the time I really wanted to be a rock star but all that changed when I took a drama class in high school under drama teacher Elliott Street.

“That’s when I was bit by the acting bug and switched gears. I was a decent singer, but knew I probably wasn’t going to make it as a professional musician.”

Henderson said Street was the reason he became an actor. 

“Elliott encouraged and supported me – and told me if it was something I really wanted to do then I could do it,” Henderson said. “He told me it would be hard because acting is a world of rejection, and you don’t get the part, more than you get the part. He is an amazing teacher and actor, but also a great writer.” 

Street recalls Henderson as a student who advanced rapidly in class – performing in several shows – Pedestrian Crossing, The Elixir of Life and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). 

“He  strangely enough was an inspiration for me, too, especially at a low point in my life,” Street said. “In one of our first classes we did a exercise to get used to each other. Zolan did his exercise and at the end of it everyone’s jaw dropped.

“It was a wonderful experience to watch him discover theater.”

Henderson also credits Meridian Little Theatre’s Jimmy Pigford and others who encouraged him to pursue acting as a career. 

“I loved working with Jimmy at Meridian Little Theatre. He was very encouraging of me as a young artist. I remember when I was in “Grease” it kept getting extended, but what a problem to have right?”

Rita McCann said she knew one day her son would become an actor.

“When he was six he could watch a movie and remember every line word for word,” McCann said. “He would even argue with you about how the plot went. He loved all the arts, and started out with music, but I told him he was going to be an actor.”

Upon graduation at MHS Henderson attended the University of Southern Mississippi where he received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts; with an emphasis on acting and theater. From there he interned at the Florida Repertory Theatre in Fort Myers, performing predominantly on the stage.

Henderson resides in Naples, Fla. with his wife, Susan, and 7-year-old daughter, Sadie Joe.

Wanting to put family first, Henderson said his priorities have for now switched  to spend time with his wife and daughter – refocusing on how to still act and be home – which has led to television.

“A lot of my time goes to Sadie Joe playing make believe games and going to dance class, Girl Scout Brownies and other things,” Henderson said. “I feel if you are a responsible parent you pretty much sacrifice a lot of you for them, but I do it happily.”

In addition to appearing in a JetBlue TV commercial and Truth is Stranger Than Florida, Henderson will appear in an upcoming episode of Bloodline, a Netflix thriller. The air date for that episode has yet to be released.

“It’s a small role and if you blink you will miss my scene as a henchman,” Henderson said, laughingly. “But, it is very competitive to get on that show, and even though it’s a small role you get paid more than you do in the theater.

“There is a possibility the writers will put my character in another episode, but I don’t know anything definite.”

Henderson said even though his heart belongs to the theater, at this point the commitment is too big. 

“Nothing beats being in front of a live audience – sharing that experience with people and feeling that energy on stage,” Henderson said. “I really, really enjoy that and I just wish it paid better because it is definitely where my heart is.

“But, with a little one it is difficult for them to understand why daddy is gone for a month or so.”

Henderson said his experience in Meridian made him the artist he is today, and he aspires to be better. 

“You can’t just sit on your laurels, because as soon as you do you become complacent as an artist, and cease to be relevant anymore,” Henderson said. “All the artists that I respect and love are very intelligent humble people. I aspire to be that myself always learning, and to never think you are somebody, because as soon as you do that people don’t want to work with you.

“Always remember that your reputation will precede you, so don’t be a jerk.”