The Cast
Raymond J. Barry
As Lester
Raymond J. Barry is a veteran of both screen and stage work. Some of Barry’s feature film credits include Born on the Fourth of July, Dead Man Walking, The Purge 3, The Deep End, Brave New Jersey, Walk Hard: the Dewey Cox Story, Training Day, Flubber, The Ref, The Chamber, COP, Falling Down, K-2, Rapid Fire, Cool Runnings, and Sudden Death. His many television appearances include the series Justified, Cold Case, 13 Reasons Why, Feud!, The Gifted, Shooter, Gotham, Ray Donovan, You’re the Worst, Grey’s Anatomy, The 100, ICE, New Girl, Law and Order, Lost, CSI, Alias, The Cleaner, The X Files, Tales from the Crypt, and L.A. Law. For his role in Steel City, he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award in 2007. For his role in Interview with the Assassin, he received the Best Actor award at the New York International Independent Film Festival in 2002. In theatre, he began with such legendary companies as the Living Theater, and Joseph Chaikin’s Open Theater where he toured around the world, and took part in such creations as The Serpent, Terminal, Mutation Show, Masques, Endgame, and Nightwalk. He went on to perform in more than eighty productions in New York, from Broadway to Off Broadway, including the Tony nominated musical Happy End by Kurt Weil and Bertolt Brecht. For his work in theatre, he received a Dramalogue Award for his lead performance in Sam Shepard’s Buried Child. He also received a Dramalogue Award and L.A. Drama Critics Award for Writing and Best Actor, for his play Once in Doubt. He is married to writer Robyn Mundell. Together they have four children, Oona, Raymond, Liam, and Manon.
Austan Wheeler
As Lars
Austan Wheeler is known for his villainous role as the dreadful, drunken Health Russell in ID channels’ Betrayed; season four episode seven. He appeared in the first episode of the Wild West Chronicles debut on the INSP channel, where he played the part of Emmitt. Austan’s earlier stage work consisted of roles such as Tom Giles in Meredith Wilson’s, The Music Man and the role of The Valet in Jean-Paul Sartre’s, No Exit. His upcoming break-out role as Lars in James T North IV’s film, Filthy Animals, will reveal the next up incoming actor we will all expect great things from. Austan was trained in the Film and Television Department at Point Loma Nazarene University where he also minored in Theater under the teachings of Walter Williams. From there, Austan returned to L.A. to study under the teachings of John Homa and Jeff Dockweiler at JH Productions where he states, “I finally realized what acting was really all about”. Austan also starred in roles in other eclectic works such as the staunch, religious father in Scott Alexander Naar’s short film, Umbra (2020), as well as his role as the cult leader Joshua in Emily Arendt’s short film, Benjamin’s Box. His role as the villainous anchor man in Amad Al-Naimi ‘s, Pacifico Express, added another notch to his villain-based resume. “I love playing villains. I feel I have more freedom because they, themselves, have no rules which makes the creative process absolutely my favorite thing.” - Austan Wheeler
Ryan Patrick Brown
As Freddy
Ryan Patrick Brown is an actor born and raised in the South Bay of Los Angeles, California. With a natural talent and an authentic approach to his craft, Ryan's breakout role came in 2024 when he starred as Freddy Cakes in the indie film Filthy Animals. His raw and compelling performance in the lead role has set him apart as a genuine force in the industry.
Mena Elizabeth Santos
As Bella
Mena Elizabeth Santos is a talented actress recognized for her compelling performances in film and television. She is known for her roles in "The Red Tide Massacre" (2022), "The Astrid Experience" (2023), and the upcoming release "Filthy Animals" (2024). With her dynamic range and captivating screen presence, Mena continues to make a significant impact in the entertainment industry.
Pete Larney
As Jeff
Peter Larney was born in Santa Monica, California and grew up in Wilmington, Delaware. His credits include the award-winning short films Housecall (Dir. Josh Soskin), Crack Shot (Dir. Alex Cohen), and Noodles Forever (Dir. McKinley Carlin), and he recently appeared in the feature film Lady Parts (Dir. Nancy Boyd) - currently showing on the festival circuit. Off-screen he is training to be a psychedelic somatic trauma therapist. A follower of the late Roy London, Larney cultivates a philosophy of performance grounded in intuition, spontaneity, and basic human drives. Other recent work includes the short film Last Words from the Famulari brothers, the forthcoming short film Delilah, directed by Matthew Sullivan, as well as numerous commercials. Larney also plays saxophone in the folk punk band New Elvis. In a former life he was an artisan baker, producing everything from pretzels to croissants to sourdough bread. He is currently learning to speak Vietnamese.
Nicola Aara
As Emily
Nicola Aara grew up in a small town southwest of Sydney, Australia, where her passion for the arts was evident from a young age. She attended a performing arts school from grades 7 through 12, studying music, dance, and drama, and received extensive training in improv. Nicola was also actively involved in local theater groups, landing her first lead role as Katie Brown in the musical Calamity Jane at just 14. After high school, she spent several years teaching piano, singing, and dance before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time. Nicola is recognized for her roles as Afeena in 5 Minutes and Counting (2019) and Emily in Filthy Animals (2024). While she demonstrates versatility across various genres, Nicola harbors a deep passion for comedy. In addition to her acting career, Nicola is a disability advocate, living with the rare autoimmune disease, Myasthenia Gravis. She also works as a dating and emotional intelligence coach, helping individuals enhance their social skills and navigate personal relationships.
Luke Wessman
As Jack Valentine
Luke Wessman is an actor and American tattoo artist and designer. He was featured on the TLC reality shows Miami Ink and NY Ink and plays Jack Valentine in Filthy Animals (2024). Luke tattoos many celebrities including Tom Hardy, Marlee Matlin, Jeremy Piven, Darius Rucker, Tim Howard, Nate Thompson, Frank Ferrer, Todd Gurley, Ryan Kesler, Alex Pall, Drew Taggart, Dame Dash and Yelawolf.
Corinne Chooey
As Rosanna
Corinne grew up in San Francisco where, at the age of eleven, she started acting professionally in musical theatre and commercials. She later moved to Los Angeles to study acting and began honing her craft in local theatre productions. One of Corinne’s earliest on-camera jobs was as a series regular in SABAN Entertainment’s show, VR Troopers. She was a member of FOX Television’s Diversity Writers Program and has been a staff writer for Nickelodeon and JaiGantic Studios. As an actor, Corinne appeared in principal roles onstage, in films and on television for Paramount, Warner Bros, DreamWorks, ABC, CBS, Fox, Comedy Central and BET. A performing company member of Sacred Fools Theater, Company of Angels, The Pack Theater and the Los Angeles Opera, Corinne is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA. She is a current faculty member at the University of Southern California’s School of Dramatic Arts where she teaches Theatre and is the Director of Angel City Improv at Company of Angels. Please visit her at corinnechooey.com.
Kenneth Best
As Dida
Mentored by Marta Beckett at a young age, Kenneth Best fell in love with the arts. His journey would include working as a radio personality, musician, gunfighter, stunt performer and teaching Theatre Arts at prestigious schools. With Kenneth's experience as a writer, director, and instructor in theatre, he has a great understanding of character and story, and loves collaborating with filmmakers to best capture their vision. His interests led him to music, and he spent his early 20's touring in rock bands playing drums and singing. He was heard for many years as an on-air talent at several radio stations in the high desert, as well as had his own mobile DJ business. In the late 90's Kenneth could be found dying in the streets daily as a resident Gunfighter and Stuntman at Calico Ghost Town. There he produced, performed and directed event shows. He was known to many around the world for his character, Monk. Kenneth joined the Mojave Muleskinners, a traveling Gun-fighting skit show touring the Southwest, and featured in Guns and Arizona Highways magazines. In 2000, Kenneth returned to college, working in Technical, Stagecraft, and Performance arenas while forming Best Actors Workshops, teaching as an acting coach. In 2002 he received an Irene Ryan nomination in the Kennedy Center competitions for his work as, Big Daddy, in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.' With the success of his workshops and shows, Kenneth was sought out and offered teaching positions at the private, Einstein Academy and prestigious Academy for Academic Excellence Charter schools, working with gifted students. After working at the schools he produced and performed with Seniors and the Handicapable, at Silver Lakes Entertainers. His past performing history is in festival films and commercials, as well as many community theatre productions. After a short hiatus, Kenneth, now 61, has returned to his craft and is enjoying performing in character roles in Indy Films.