Long before Jessie T. Usher was running at super speed as A-Train in the hit series The Boys, he was just a teenager trying to make his mark in Hollywood. One of his earliest acting jobs came in 2007 on the Disney Channel show Hannah Montana. Now, with his career at a high point as the popular Amazon Prime Video series prepares for its final season, Usher is looking back with appreciation for that first big break.
The actor, who turns 34 on February 29, recently spoke about his time on the Miley Cyrus-led show, calling it a major moment in his career. For fans who only know him as the ego-driven speedster in The Boys, learning about his Disney Channel past offers a surprising look at how far he has come.
From Hannah Montana to The Boys: A Look at Usher’s Early Days
Jessie T. Usher’s acting path started when he was just 13 years old. After moving to Los Angeles with his family to chase his acting dreams, he landed small roles on shows like Without a Trace and Criminal Minds. But it was his appearance on Hannah Montana that gave him a taste of working on a major production.
In the episode titled “Cuffs Will Keep Us Together,” which aired during the show’s second season, Usher played a character simply named “Guy.” The episode followed Miley Stewart, played by Miley Cyrus, as she tried to hide her pop star identity while dealing with typical teenage problems. Usher’s role was small, but being on the set of one of Disney Channel’s biggest shows at the time left a lasting impression.
Reflecting on that experience, Usher acknowledged how shows like Hannah Montana helped young actors like himself learn the business.
“Those early jobs were everything. You’re on set with people who are already stars, and you just watch and learn. Hannah Montana was such a huge show, and being a part of that, even for one episode, showed me what it took to be in this industry.”
The show, which ran from 2006 to 2011, launched the careers of many young actors and became a cultural touchstone for a generation. For Usher, it was a stepping stone that led to more consistent work, including his role in the Cartoon Network series Level Up and later the Starz comedy Survivor’s Remorse, where he played a professional basketball player.
A-Train’s Journey in The Boys Season 5
While Usher looks back fondly on his Disney Channel days, his current focus is on the final season of The Boys. The show’s fifth season is scheduled to premiere on April 8, 2026, on Amazon Prime Video, with the first two episodes dropping that day. The remaining six episodes will follow weekly until May 20, 2026.
Usher’s character, A-Train (real name Reggie Franklin), has had one of the most interesting character arcs on the show. Starting as a selfish member of The Seven who cared more about his fame than doing the right thing, A-Train has slowly moved toward redemption. The character faced serious consequences for his actions, including a heart attack from compound V abuse and the loss of his brother. By the end of season four, A-Train had turned against Homelander (played by Antony Starr) and helped The Boys escape, fleeing New York with his family.
The actor confirmed that he will return for the final season. In a social media post, he wrote about the upcoming season and mentioned the strong family feeling among the cast.
The Final Season: What to Expect for A-Train
Showrunner Eric Kripke has made it clear that The Boys season 5 will be the end of the story. He has said that the final season will be the show’s version of the apocalypse, with high stakes and likely major character deaths.
“There will probably be lots of deaths. That’s the fun of the final season. You can blow the doors off it. There’s no guarantee of who’s gonna survive because you don’t have to keep them for another season.” – Eric Kripke, showrunner
For A-Train, who left The Seven and betrayed Homelander, his future is uncertain. He is now a target for the vengeful supes who remain loyal to Homelander. With his family in hiding and his former teammates looking for him, A-Train will have to decide whether to keep running or join the fight against Vought and its leader.
Usher has hinted that fans will see a different side of A-Train in the final episodes. The character’s growth from a self-centered hero to someone willing to risk everything for what is right has been one of the show’s most praised character developments.
A Full-Circle Moment for the Actor
Looking back at his career, from a small part on Hannah Montana to leading roles in blockbuster films like Independence Day: Resurgence and Shaft, Jessie T. Usher has built a strong body of work. His time on the Disney Channel may have been brief, but it represents the start of a journey that has now placed him in one of the most talked-about shows on streaming.
For fans who grew up watching Hannah Montana, seeing Usher as A-Train is a fun reminder of how many young actors passed through that show before finding bigger success. Miley Cyrus herself has moved from Disney star to Grammy-winning musician, and the show’s legacy continues to be celebrated by fans worldwide.
As The Boys prepares for its final run, Usher’s appreciation for his early work shows a grounded perspective. He has come a long way from playing “Guy” on a Disney Channel set, but he has not forgotten where he started.
The Boys season 5 will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video starting April 8, 2026, with new episodes releasing every Thursday until the series finale on May 20, 2026. The show will be available for viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and all other territories where Prime Video is offered.
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