Ray Panthaki’s Feature Directorial Debut ‘In Starland,’ Starring ‘Sing Sing’ Breakout Clarence Maclin, Rounds Out Cast, Unveils First Look (EXCLUSIVE)

Ray Panthaki has rounded out of the cast of his upcoming feature directorial debut “In Starland” and revealed a first look showing his lead star, “Sing Sing” breakout Clarence Maclin.

Written, directed and produced by Panthaki, the British actor and filmmaker best knowns for roles in features including “Boiling Point” and “Colette” and shows such as “The Serpent Queen,” the film recently completed principal photography in Mississippi.

Joining the cast alongside Maclin and previously announced Maxwell Cunningham (“Top Dog”), Marcus Scribner (“Black-ish”) and “Rival’s” breakout Bella Maclean are Miss Benny (Netflix’s “Glamorous”), Leesie Pinto (“Forever”), Tai’mua (“Dr Odyssey”), Colin Buckingham (“Mr Robot”), acclaimed dancers Kang Forever, Mollee Gray and Grammy-nominated singer Gallant. Also newly added is Ben Dickey, winner of the U.S. dramatic special jury award for acting at Sundance for Ethan Hawke’s “Blaze.”

“In Starland” is described as a “coming-of-middle-age” story that follows a man attempting to break free from the confines of his small-town life after a chance encounter with a group of vibrant young artists, whom he invites into his home, sparking an unexpected journey of self-reinvention. The filmmakers describe Maclin’s character — as revealed in the first look — as “far removed” from his Oscar and BAFTA nominated turn in “Sing Sing,” citing his performance as “raw, electric, potentially award-worthy and a complete departure from his previous work.”

“In Starland is about the wild, uncertain beauty of living for the first time — a story of connection, belonging, and stepping into the unknown,” said producer Daniel Khalili. “We’re honoured to welcome this remarkable cast, many of whom are on the verge of something extraordinary.”

Added Gallant: “There’s a rhythm to the way Ray works – it’s instinctive and yet so precise. As a musician, I recognised it right away. ‘In Starland’ felt less like performing and more like tuning into something already alive.”

Panthaki, who was recently elected to the BAFTA Film Committee and has directed the multi-award winning shorts “Life Sentence” and “Ernie,” produces with Khalili for their Le Bateau Lavoir outfit alongside Victor Paul Wajnberg, with Daisy Allsop producing for Archface Films.

Panthaki is repped at CAA and Color Creative in the US and CAM in the U.K.