Nathaniel Martello-White presents his feature film directorial debut, The Strays, starring Ashley Madekwe (Dr. Death), Justin Salinger (Abraham Lincoln), and Michael Warburton (Coronation Street). The Small Axe: Mangrove actor is also credited with writing the screenplay.
The Strays follows the story of Neve (Madekwe), a Black woman living a privileged life in a well-kept neighborhood filled with predominately White people when two strange characters appear and begin to taunt her. An official trailer confirms that the film exists in the Jordan Peele space of psychological thrillers with a mental health and social conscience, although specific plot details remain a mystery.
Watch The Trailer Below:
This is not the first time Martello-White has dabbled with concepts about mental health and society. He also inserted these ideas in his short film Cla’am, where he explored gentrification. In regards to his films, he plans to maintain this level of awareness going forward.
“[I’ll] always be exploring race in some tenor, but [the films will] be built around genre because I think it’s important that these things are also entertaining and cinema,” he said in an interview with The Book of Man. “I think cinema is about poetry and it’s about escapism.”
Leading the cast, Madekwe is a notable English actress that made global headway with her role as Ashley Davenport in Mike Kelley’s ABC drama series Revenge. She earned two BAFTA nominations in 2021 for Best Supporting Actress in the socially conscience drama County Lines and has since starred in the CBS television series, Tell Me A Story, and the popular podcast-turned-television show, Dr. Death, currently streaming on Peacock.
Producers include Valentina Brazzini, Tristan Goligher, and Rob Watson. Air Street Films and The Bureau collaborated on production of the UK film with Netflix managing worldwide distribution.
The Strays will stream via Netflix on Feb. 22.
