Cast & Crew of “Lonely Boy”
JEREMY TALBOT
Brandon Halvorsen
Brandon Halvorsen is an award-winning, bicoastal actor who has been working professionally in the industry since he was 10 years old. His authentic storytelling, dynamic performances and versatility as an actor have allowed him to jump back and forth between the stage and screen. Gracing stages nationwide, he has acted in shows under the direction of some of Broadway's best at some of the country’s most revered theatres, including The Old Globe, The MUNY in St. Louis and Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. Some notable TV/film credits include Ride Or Die, a horror short featured on Hulu’s “Bite Size Halloween” series as well as co-starring in Koreatown Ghost Story alongside the legendary Margaret Cho and Gateway Drug, Binary. As a passionate advocate for inclusivity in the arts, Brandon is deeply committed to telling stories that reflect the full spectrum of the human experience and is grateful to be a part of this incredible project. @brandostar
MIRANDA CUNNINGHAM
Sariah Arnold
Sariah Arnold is a Los Angeles-based actor who began performing onstage at 10 years old. She received her BFA in acting from Long Island University, where she took on roles such as Captain Bordure (Ubu Roi), Svetlana (Sonnets for an Old Century), and #25 (The Wolves). Since moving to Los Angeles, she has starred in several short films and will appear in her first feature film, The Cursed Party, in October as Aubrey. She is excited to be a part of this show and is grateful for the collaboration and talent of this cast and crew.
ZACH TALBOT
Sam Drake
Sam Drake is a young actor who grew up in Chicago. He started performing as young as 8 years old. He has studied acting at Columbia College Chicago, Acting Studio Chicago and California State University Northridge. He has starred in feature films, short films, commercials and several theater productions. He also posts on TikTok, amassing a following of 70,000.
CATHY TALBOT
Becki Hayes
Becki Hayes is a Texas-born SAG-AFTRA actress known for both deaf and hearing roles. Born with a hereditary, progressive hearing loss, Becki’s hearing rapidly declined, rendering her profoundly deaf by age 12. Becki made her network TV debut in ABC’s “Gideons Crossing” opposite Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin, portraying a deaf teen at odds with her parents over cochlear implants. Life imitated art for Becki, as shortly after the show aired, she underwent bilateral cochlear implant surgery. Becki considers her former deafness a gift to her craft. “When one sense is absent, the other senses are heightened immensely. I had to become such an intense listener by necessity. In conversation, I was hyper-focused on facial cues and body language to kind of fill in the gaps when words were unclear and provide context clues in order to react appropriately. My superpower is ‘hearing’ beyond the spoken. It’s authentic acting gold. I’m very lucky,” she says. Becki can currently be seen in the Emmy-nominated HBO Max series “The Pitt.”
BOB TALBOT
Michael Harrington
Michael was a standout tennis player at the University of California Los Angeles from 1976 to 1980. He played professionally for the Los Angeles Strings from 1982 to 1984. Michael has had a long acting career that includes roles in Beverly Hills Cop, St. Elsewhere, Who’s the Boss, Facts of Life, Newhart and Charles in Charge. He has also done voiceover work for Disney, Sprint, Whole Foods, Nissan and Honda, among other companies.
SUSAN CUNNINGHAM
Vanessa Lauren Freeman
Vanessa Lauren Freeman is a versatile and dynamic actress known for her portrayal of various character mimes and herself on YouTube channel RetroCirq (2022-2025) as well as the lead role of Jessica Kelley in the feature film “The 3rd Channel” (2023). She's appeared in several lead and supporting roles in both feature length and short films since late 2019 when she began transitioning into acting. In fall 2022, Vanessa began her formal training in The Actor's Instinct intensive program directed by actor George Gallagher. During this transition she trained in basic utility stunts under stunt coordinator Tony Vella of Bay Area Stunts and obtained her NRA Basic Pistol Certification (2022) through stunt coordinator Cassie Lee Minnick. She further developed her fight training and began learning wirework under different training programs offered by stunt coordinators Will Leong and Tim Storms. Vanessa also has a background in professional dance performance and choreography. She obtained her MFA Dance: Design and Production with a Certificate in Choreography from Saint Mary's College of California.
MARTIN CUNNINGHAM
Anthony Cistaro
Anthony Cistaro first came to the attention of television audiences with his memorable turn as recurring character Henri, Woody’s nemesis, during the final three seasons of the sitcom “Cheers.” Anthony also played Kenneth Irons on the TNT original series “Witchblade.” Recent work includes a guest spot on ABC’s 9-1-1 and a role opposite Ashton Sanders in the Netflix original show “All Day and a Night.” Anthony had a recurring role as Agent Bendix on the second season of the Wachowskis’ Sense8. Other recurring and guest appearances include Friends, Seinfeld, Charmed, Angels, Nip/Tuck, Alias, Ugly Betty, Numb3rs and The Nanny. Anthony appeared in the improvised mockumentary “Fell, Pushed or Jumped” with fellow graduates of the American Repertory Theatre at Harvard University. He also trained with the legendary Stella Adler in Los Angeles. Anthony is an avid ocean swimmer.
DANIELLE JACOBSON
Kate Schrader
Born and raised in small-town Wisconsin, Kate’s love of film and performing arts brought her to Los Angeles to study at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Since graduation, Kate has steadily made a name for herself through leading and supporting roles in various short films, music videos, web series and feature films.
JENNIFER CHINN
Mia Hsiung
Mia Hsiung is an actress based in Los Angeles. She recently graduated with a BFA Acting Degree from the University of Texas at Austin and has trained at Stella Adler, the Howard Fine Acting Studio and Shakespeare & Company. Recent credits include Our Town (Emily), Hamlet (Ophelia), and a myriad of new works onstage and short films. Mia is super excited to be a part of "Lonely Boy." For more information, see her website https://www.miahsiungn.com/.
AARON MENDLESOHN
Justus Dahlinger
Justus grew up on the outskirts of Seattle and began acting in theater at a young age, performing musicals. Portraying Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka, he says, has been one of his most fulfilling roles to date. Justus has lived in Los Angeles for 2 years, working consistently on modeling, acting, and voiceover content. Justus’ recent work in “The Hollywood” documentary, “The Exorcist Files” podcast, and Lee Gumbs’ editorials have gotten his career off to a running start. “I am excited to create with people who respect the work, and have a passion as well as a vision for not only the result, but the process,” he says.
TIM WILKERSON
Alexander Wardach
A New Jersey native, Alexander began acting at a young age, working in New York City. After appearing in several plays and short films, he went on to receive a BFA in acting at Chapman University in California, followed by an MA at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Now based in Los Angeles as a playwright and actor, Alexander works in different genres, portraying a wide array of characters, and serves as the creative director of Meraki Theatre.
NICK SHAHINYAN
Namdar Kashanian
Namdar Kashanian is an actor and musician whose work spans film, theater and audio storytelling. Known for his calm intensity and layered performances, Namdar brings a quiet precision to his roles — often exploring characters who carry complexity beneath the surface. With a background in music and a life shaped by navigating multiple cultures, Namdar approaches each role with grounded intuition and emotional depth. In the pilot, he plays Nick, a sophisticated and highly calculating figure in the drug world — a role that highlights his gift for portraying subtle power and psychological nuance.
DETECTIVE JAHNA WILLIAMS
Eliza Hackathorn
Eliza Hackathorn is a non-union actor with experience in film, television and theater. Her screen credits include supporting roles in 486 (Television Pilot) and feature films Charlie Buster and The Day God Died as well as lead roles in films such as Sunlight, Veiled, Grievances, and Ki’ek. Her first love was the stage, having performed in multiple theater productions as a child and young adult and more recently in 9 to 5 and The Sound of Music. Eliza has received professional training in on-camera work, scene study, stand-up and improvisation. Her background as a trial attorney and data science product manager infuses her character work with a grounded, analytical approach that fuels her emotional authenticity.
DETECTIVE LEN ROSS
Casey Morris
Casey Morris, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, raised in South Carolina, received his BA in drama from UNC Asheville followed by his MFA in acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. He studied improv at Second City and has performed in many Chicago productions, including The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Mother of the Maid (Northlight Theatre), The Grapes of Wrath, Hamlet (The Gift Theatre) and Welcome to Jesus (American Theater Company). He has been in several commercials including a Carvana Super Bowl spot and a Little Caesars national. His television credits include: Players (Paramount +), The Rehearsal (HBO Max), Snowfall (FX), The Company You Keep (ABC), Tacoma FD (TruTV) and The Lincoln Lawyer (Netflix). In 2024, Casey wrote, produced and starred in his first short film DICKY MACK: THE RIGHT OF WAY, which had its premiere at Raindance Film Festival in London.
WRITER/PRODUCER
David Mills
David has been a working journalist for the past five decades, following the technology as he cruised through newspapers, television news and online information sites. He is now semi-retired, working as a freelance writer for richmondside.org and healthline.com. He has written film and television scripts on and off for 25 years. David founded Green Dolphin Productions in January 2025. He is excited for the company’s first project, a television pilot for the series “Lonely Boy.”
DIRECTOR
Morteza Rafiei
Morteza Rafiei’s filmmaking journey began with a love for cinema that took root in his childhood in Iran.
Growing up surrounded by stories of resilience and hardship, he found early on that film was more than entertainment, it was a way to speak the truth, to preserve memory, and to ignite change.
That passion carried him across the world, where he studied at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and began building what is now 12 years of experience in film, documentary, and media production.
His directorial voice first gained international recognition with F as Mahdis, a searing narrative about an activist racing against time to save a woman wrongfully sentenced to execution in Iran. The film’s powerful human core resonated globally, earning awards at festivals such as the Miami Film Festival and Toronto Women International Film Festival.
Morteza has continued to craft films that balance compelling narratives with urgent social commentary. His award-winning documentary Freedomtown: Not So Black and White followed activists and a former police officer during the George Floyd protests, confronting questions of justice, race, and humanity in America. The film was embraced by more than 20 film festivals, including Cannes Short Film Corner.
His documentary Little Tehran Theater further reflects his roots and his advocacy. The film chronicles a group of Iranian refugee artists in America who stage a theatrical production to shed light on the long, painful history of women’s rights struggles in Iran, leading up to the Women, Life, Freedom movement and the death of Mahsa Amini. Through their voices, the film becomes both a remembrance and a call to action.
Morteza has also explored the inner workings of Hollywood in his award-winning short film The Assistant, which lays bare the emotional toll of being an assistant in the entertainment industry. The film has resonated widely, winning honors at the LA International Film Festival and others.
Also, as part of his production work at MSR Entertainment alongside Sidney Brown, Morteza has produced a wide range of projects including commercials, music videos, corporate documentaries, and branded videos. He has served as producer, cinematographer and editor for both short and long narrative projects, expanding his creative footprint beyond his own directorial work and building a versatile portfolio that bridges art with industry.
Throughout his body of work, Morteza Rafiei has shown that his films are not just stories, they are vessels of empathy, justice, and truth. From Iran to America, from human rights struggles to the quiet battles of everyday life, his filmmaking is deeply personal yet universal, always reaching for the human heart at the center of every narrative.
FIELD PRODUCER
Sidney Brown
Growing up in Buffalo, New York, Sidney Brown first pursued acting, working in the entertainment industry for more than 15 years.
But over time, Sidney felt called to step behind the camera, determined to tell stories that truly matter. His transition from performing to producing was fueled by a desire to shape narratives that inspire empathy, connection and change.
As a producer with MSR Entertainment, Sidney has collaborated on socially impactful films that have reached audiences around the world. He was a producer on the award-winning documentary Freedomtown: Not So Black and White, which explored race relations and justice in America, as well as on Little Tehran Theater, a powerful documentary highlighting Iranian refugee artists and the Women, Life, Freedom movement.
Sidney also produced The Assistant, an acclaimed short film that revealed the emotional toll of life behind the scenes in Hollywood.
Beyond his work in documentaries and narrative films, Sidney’s creativity extends to commercials, music videos and branded content, where he continues to serve as producer, field producer and creative partner.
His passion for storytelling is fueled by his belief that everyone has a story worth sharing and he brings an infectious energy to every set, making people feel seen, heard and valued.
Sidney’s lifelong dedication to storytelling is rooted in compassion and optimism. Whether behind the camera producing award-winning films, or in front of communities across America capturing personal stories, Sidney Brown is committed to using film as a force for connection, empathy, and truth.
With a focus on detail and teamwork, Sidney helps bring productions to life while fostering a positive and professional environment.