MacLeod Andrews

MacLeod Andrews is an American actor, voice actor, audiobook narrator, and producer renowned for his immersive narration of hundreds of audiobooks, including the Warriors series by Erin Hunter, which he narrated until his retirement from the series in 2024, as well as voice performances in animation, video games, and independent films.^[1][2][3] Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Andrews studied theater at Middlebury College in Vermont before launching his career in New York City with off-Broadway productions and initial audiobook work.^[1] After relocating to Los Angeles, he briefly trained as an emergency medical technician at UCLA but soon focused on voice acting, theater, independent films, animation, and video games.^[1][4] In audiobook narration, Andrews has collaborated with major publishers, delivering cinematic performances that have earned him two Audie Awards, multiple Audie nominations, fifteen Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine, two Odyssey Honors, one SOVAS Award, and a Grammy nomination.^[1][5][6] His notable audiobook credits encompass bestsellers across genres, with particular acclaim for bringing depth to character-driven stories like those in the long-running Warriors fantasy series.^[1] As a voice actor, Andrews has lent his versatile range to prominent roles, including Green Arrow in the animated series Batwheels, Captain Kit in The Loud House, and Toshiro Kasukabe in the video game Persona 5 Tactica, alongside characters in titles like Delta Force: Starfall and Trails in the Sky.^[1] In live-action film, he has starred in indie horror projects such as A Ghost Waits and They Look Like People, receiving Best Actor awards for both at film festivals.^[1] Additionally, he voices commercials for brands like Whole Foods and Honda, and hosts the podcast SIGHTINGS, which features original first-person narratives of paranormal encounters.^[1] Andrews resides in Woodland Hills, California, with his wife and three daughters, continuing to balance his multifaceted career in entertainment.^[1]

Early life and education

Early life

MacLeod Andrews was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky.^[1][7] Growing up in Louisville, Andrews developed an early interest in theater and performance, influenced by his mother's work as a producer for the Blue Apple Players, an educational children's theater company. She frequently took Andrews and his older brother to local productions, including those at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, such as the Humana Festival of New American Plays, exposing him to innovative and intimate stage works that sparked his passion for the arts.^[8] This supportive family environment encouraged his artistic pursuits from a young age. Andrews later pursued formal theater training at Middlebury College in Vermont.^[1]

Education

MacLeod Andrews earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater from Middlebury College in Vermont, graduating in 2007.^[9][1][10] During his undergraduate years, Andrews honed his performance skills through active participation in the Potomac Theatre Project, a resident repertory company affiliated with Middlebury that provided professional-level training and opportunities.^[11] He performed in notable productions, including the 2007 staging of Politics of Passion, a collection of three short plays by Anthony Minghella presented by the project at the Atlantic Theater Company in New York City.^[12] These experiences, which included summer repertory work and ensemble performances, laid a foundational emphasis on ensemble acting, script interpretation, and stage presence that influenced his subsequent career in theater and voice work.^[11] Following his graduation, Andrews briefly pursued additional training outside of acting, enrolling in emergency medical technician (EMT) studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as he contemplated a potential career shift away from performance.^[1] Ultimately, he did not complete the EMT program and instead transitioned fully into professional voice acting after signing with his first voice-over agent in Los Angeles.^[1]

Career

Early career and stage work

After graduating from Middlebury College with a degree in theater, Andrews moved to New York City to pursue acting professionally, where he began performing in off-Broadway productions.^[1][13] His early stage work included roles in various off-Broadway shows, building on the foundation of his college performances.^[13] Andrews became a company member of the Rising Phoenix Repertory theater company in New York City, contributing to several premieres during his time there.^[14] With the company, he performed in productions such as the world premiere of Nobody by Crystal Skillman and What Happened When by Daniel Talbott, among other off-Broadway and regional works.^[15] These roles helped establish his presence in the New York theater scene.^[16] Around 2010, Andrews entered the field of audiobook narration as a means of financial stability while continuing his stage pursuits, recording his first titles during this period.^[13] In the early years of his narration career, he completed over 35 audiobooks for major publishers, including Penguin Random House Audio, which provided a reliable income stream amid the uncertainties of theater work.^[7][17] Seeking greater opportunities, Andrews relocated to Los Angeles, where he initially considered leaving acting to train as an emergency medical technician at UCLA.^[1] Instead, he signed with his first voice-over agent, marking a pivot toward more stable voice acting work that complemented his narration and stage experience.^[1][18]

Film and television acting

Andrews made his feature film debut in the 2015 psychological horror They Look Like People, directed by Perry Blackshear, in which he starred as the lead character Wyatt and served as a co-producer. The film premiered at festivals including Slamdance and Fantasia, earning recognition for its tense exploration of paranoia and mental health, and achieved national and international distribution on platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.^[19][20] In 2020, Andrews took on a multifaceted role in the black-and-white romantic horror A Ghost Waits, directed by Adam Stovall, where he starred as the handyman Jack, co-wrote the screenplay, and produced the film.^[21] The low-budget indie, blending supernatural elements with themes of love and loss, received critical praise for its inventive storytelling and was distributed internationally via Arrow Video, with availability on streaming services including Shudder and Amazon Prime.^[19][22] Andrews also appeared in supporting capacities in other independent horror projects, such as The Siren (2019) as Al, where he acted and executive produced; They're Inside (2019) voicing the antagonist; and When I Consume You (2021) as David Castille, additionally producing the latter, which premiered at Fantasia and was distributed by 1091 Pictures.^[23][24] Andrews expanded into larger-scale productions with a supporting role as Roger Macassi in the 2019 horror sequel Doctor Sleep, directed by Mike Flanagan and based on Stephen King's novel.^[25] His film work has emphasized independent cinema, with four features—They Look Like People, A Ghost Waits, The Siren, and When I Consume You—securing national and international distribution on major platforms.^[19] On television, Andrews has had limited live-action appearances but provided voice work as Green Arrow in the animated series Batwheels (2022–present), starting in season 1.^[26] This focus on indie films underscores his commitment to genre storytelling, often drawing from his early stage experience to inform character-driven performances.^[1]

Audiobook narration

MacLeod Andrews began his audiobook narration career in the late 2000s, shortly after establishing himself as a stage actor in New York City, with his debut recording of the middle-grade novel Crows & Cards for Brilliance Audio in 2009.^[27] By 2011, he had already narrated over 35 titles, and he has since expanded to hundreds of audiobooks for major publishers including Penguin Random House, HarperAudio, and Tyndale House.^[17][1] His entry into narration during this early New York phase leveraged his theater background, providing a pathway to steady voice work.^[17] Andrews is renowned for his immersive, cinematic narration style, which emphasizes clear communication, emotional depth, and adaptability to the material's mood, whether through steady pacing for nonfiction or varied tempo for fiction.^[28] He possesses a broad vocal range that enables him to portray diverse characters convincingly, from gruff older men to energetic preteens, enhancing the listener's engagement across genres.^[27] This versatility has made him a go-to narrator for complex ensemble casts and character-driven stories.^[29] Among his standout projects are full-series narrations that have solidified his reputation in young adult and fantasy literature, including the entire Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate for Scholastic, multiple volumes of the Warriors series by Erin Hunter for HarperAudio—such as the complete The Prophecies Begin arc—up to his retirement from the series after narrating Star in 2024, and the urban fantasy Sandman Slim series by Richard Kadrey.^[1][30][3] He also narrated the Pillars of Reality series by Jack Campbell, blending steampunk and fantasy elements.^[31] These works highlight his ability to handle intricate plots and multiple viewpoints with distinct voices. Andrews' career evolved from those initial dozens of titles in the early 2010s to broader successes in diverse subgenres, including faith-based thrillers like Dark Fall by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson, released in 2023 by Tyndale House, and historical narratives such as Loving vs. Virginia by Patricia Hruby Powell, a 2017 documentary novel published by Dreamscape Media.^[1][32][33] This progression reflects his growing demand for projects requiring nuanced performances, from speculative fiction to real-world histories. Narration has offered Andrews professional stability, allowing him to sustain his pursuits in acting and filmmaking without interruption, as he signed with his first voice-over agent and built a reliable workflow from home.^[1][27]

Voice acting and other media

MacLeod Andrews has expanded his voice work into animation and video games, leveraging his versatile vocal range honed through audiobook narration. In animation, he voiced Green Arrow in the Warner Bros. series Batwheels starting in 2022. He also portrayed the zombie pirate Captain Kit in episodes of Nickelodeon's The Loud House. In video games, Andrews lent his voice to Toshiro Kasukabe in the tactical RPG Persona 5 Tactica (2023). He provided the voice for Elnan in the 2025 English version of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter. Additional roles include Alexei Petrov in Delta Force: Starfall (upcoming), Felix in the battle royale Supervive (2024), and various local pedestrian characters in Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018). Andrews has also contributed to commercial voiceovers for major brands. He narrated national campaigns for Whole Foods, Honda Civic, and Frontline, as well as one-off spots for T-Mobile and McDonald's. He has voiced promotional content for the non-profit Represent.US, focusing on anti-corruption initiatives. In podcasting, Andrews hosts SIGHTINGS, an Ambie-nominated series produced by QCODE and Reverb that explores paranormal events through immersive, first-person narratives. Launched in 2024, the podcast immerses listeners in supernatural stories ranging from UFO encounters to ghostly apparitions. Andrews narrates articles for Apple News+ publications, delivering audio versions of long-form journalism. His credits include pieces from Vanity Fair, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, and Wired, covering topics from cultural analysis to technology and current events.

Personal life

Andrews resides in Woodland Hills, California, with his wife and three daughters.^[1]

Awards and honors

Narration awards

MacLeod Andrews has received numerous accolades for his audiobook narration, particularly from prestigious organizations in the audio publishing industry. He has won four Audie Awards from the Audio Publishers Association (APA), recognizing excellence in audiobook production, including the 2018 Audie Award for History/Biography for his co-narration of Loving vs. Virginia by Patricia Hruby Powell, alongside Adenrele Ojo. Other notable wins include the 2020 Audie Award for Middle Grade for Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, the 2023 Audie Award for Faith-Based Fiction for Dark Angel by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson, and the 2024 Audie Award for Faith-Based Fiction or Non-Fiction for Dark Fall by the same authors.^{[34][29][5][6][1]} In addition to his Audie wins, Andrews has earned 16 Audie nominations overall. He has also received one Odyssey Honor from the American Library Association's Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), for Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan in 2016.^[35][1] Andrews has been recognized 17 times with AudioFile Earphones Awards for exceptional narration. AudioFile Magazine has named him Best Narrator, praising his broad vocal register and ability to create immersive, mood-matching performances. His narration style, characterized by cinematic immersion and distinct character voices, has contributed to these successes across genres like fantasy, thriller, and young adult fiction.^[29][1] Further honors include one Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS) Award for Audiobook Narration – Children's Pre-School in 2015 for Big Hero 6 by Disney Press, along with three SOVAS nominations, such as for The Coordinate in 2021 and A Faded Star in 2017. He has earned multiple YALSA Amazing Audiobooks selections, including for titles like Gemina in 2017 and Slasher Girls & Monster Boys in 2016. Additionally, Andrews has been included in two Publishers Weekly Year's Best Audiobooks lists, such as for The Alex Crow by Andrew Smith in 2015.^{[36][37][38][39][40][41][42][1]}

Acting awards

Andrews received significant recognition for his lead performance in the 2015 psychological horror film They Look Like People, directed by Perry Blackshear, where he portrayed a man grappling with paranoia about shape-shifting monsters. The film won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at the Independent Film Festival of Boston.^[20] It also secured the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at the Nashville Film Festival, along with a Best Actor award for Andrews at the same event.^[43] Additionally, Andrews earned a Best Actor award at the Graveyard Shift Film Festival. The film further received a Special Jury Award at the Slamdance Film Festival, highlighting Andrews' nuanced portrayal of mental fragility.^[1] In 2020, Andrews starred as a handyman encountering a spectral housekeeper in the supernatural romantic comedy A Ghost Waits, co-written and directed by Adam Stovall. For his role, Andrews won Best Actor awards at Screamfest, the Nevermore Film Festival, and the Total Film FrightFest.^[44][45][1] The film itself garnered Best Film honors at these festivals, underscoring Andrews' contribution to its blend of humor and horror.

Recognition lists

MacLeod Andrews has been frequently recognized in editorial "best of" compilations for his audiobook narrations, particularly through AudioFile Magazine's annual Best Titles selections across various genres. These include Birds of Prey: The Harlan Coben Challenge in the 2022 Mystery & Suspense category, Charlotte's Web in the 2019 Children & Family Listening category, Hope Nation in the 2018 Young Adult category, and Enigma in the 2017 Romance category, among others such as We Are America: A Tribute from the Heart (2012 Children), Flash Burnout (2011 Young Adult), and Will Grayson, Will Grayson (2010 Young Adult).^[29] His work has also earned inclusions in the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults list, highlighting outstanding audiobooks for teen listeners. Notable selections feature his narration in Slasher Girls & Monster Boys (2016), Gemina (2017), titles from the 2022 list such as those involving ensemble casts including Andrews.^[40][39][46] Andrews' narrations have appeared twice in Publishers Weekly's annual best audiobooks compilations, underscoring his contributions to standout titles. For instance, The Alex Crow was selected in the 2015 list for its exceptional vocal performances, and Loving vs. Virginia in the 2017 compilation further highlighted his immersive style.^[41][42] In film, Andrews received critical acclaim for his lead role in A Ghost Waits (2020), earning a four-star review from The Guardian for its "haunting, heartwarming romcom" qualities and his chemistry with co-star Natalie Walker.^[47]