Upcoming political thriller showcases young actor with Clayton roots

CLAYTON, CA—A new film, premiering next month, features seven-year-old former Claytonian Mateo Ray. In his short career he has appeared in several TV shows and films. He got his first job in an SF Giants TV commercial at the age of 4. Last year he played a young Jesus in “40: The Temptation of Christ.”

The new movie, “The Divisible,” is a political drama that follows an interracial couple (director Marcus T. Thomas and Nicole Starrett, who also co-wrote the film) fighting to protect their son in a country divided by racial conflict. It has racked up awards at several film festivals. The film debuts on YouTube on Sept. 1. Mateo says it was fun working on the film “because I like meeting new people.”

Mateo and his family moved to southern California last year to be closer to work opportunities, but he still stays connected to friends from Mount Diablo Elementary School in Clayton. What’s different about life since the move? Mateo says he has a bigger back yard. And chickens. He also misses the butter noodles at La Veranda restaurant.

Unfortunately, working on new projects has been hampered by the pandemic. But Mateo remains upbeat and eager to do what he loves, perform. “Life is life,” he says. “And I like life.”

Watch the trailer for The Divisible. For more about the movie, visit TheDivisible.com. For more about Mateo Ray, visit his IMDb page or follow him on Instagram, @mateoray_official.

Related story: Young Clayton actor keeps rolling up film credits (The Pioneer, March 2019)