Playing a woman wasn’t easy — Melvin Dain on his role in For Love and Country 2

Award-winning Ghanaian actor Melvin Dain is taking on what many have described as the boldest role of his career in the much-anticipated sequel, For Love and Country 2.

Directed by Shirley Frimpong-Manso, the follow-up to the hit political drama sees Dain reprise his role as Joshua, a man entangled in a secret affair with the First Lady. But in this new chapter, the stakes are much higher; and so is the emotional demand of the role.

To keep their relationship hidden, Joshua is forced to assume a new identity: Serwaa, a woman who allows him to move freely without raising suspicion. What begins as a clever disguise soon evolves into a complex psychological and emotional journey, as Serwaa becomes a fully developed character with her own presence, pain, and purpose.

“This is probably one of the most difficult roles I’ve taken in my career,” Melvin Dain shared. “It challenged a lot of the usual ideas we have in society about men trying to look or act like women. I felt very uncomfortable each time I wore the gown. But I had to remind myself that this wasn’t Melvin Dain; this was a different character.”

Transforming into Serwaa required nearly two hours of makeup for each shoot, along with a complete change in posture, tone, and body language. Despite the discomfort, Dain said the role allowed him to stretch himself as an actor and connect with his craft in an entirely new way.

“It was hard. Really hard,” he admitted. “But I’m glad I did it. It forced me to step out of every comfort zone I’ve ever known. Letting go of the character after the shoot was tough.”

He continued, “This role demanded emotional honesty,” he noted. “It wasn’t about mocking femininity. It was about survival, vulnerability, and love under pressure.”

With themes of secrecy, betrayal, identity, and power, For Love and Country 2 promises to deepen the original story’s political and romantic tensions while pushing the boundaries of Ghanaian storytelling. And at its centre is a performance that defies expectations.

“This film is not just a sequel,” Dain said. “It’s a step forward for the story, for me as an actor, and for how we tell bold, human stories in our film industry.”

For Love and Country 2 is expected to premiere later this year.