Aaron McVeigh and Emily Carey to Star in Gritty British Thriller Stray

Rising talents Aaron McVeigh and Emily Carey have been cast in Stray, a new British thriller from BAFTA-winning director David Blair.

Written by Darren James King, Stray is described as a gritty, character-led film set on a London housing estate controlled by fear and manipulation. The story centers on Dylan, a 17-year-old boy growing up without a father who is desperate to belong. He becomes vulnerable to grooming by a violent local kingpin who offers him protection, power, and a distorted sense of family—pulling Dylan into a dangerous world where loyalty and survival come at a heavy cost.

McVeigh will play Dylan in his first leading role in a feature film. He was recently noticed as a breakout performer in Netflix’s crime series Dept. Q. Carey stars opposite him in a key role as Jenny. She is best known for her work on HBO’s House of the Dragon and has just completed filming Netflix’s Geek Girl.

Blair said he was drawn to the project because of its emotional depth and the damage caused when young people grow up without guidance. He described Stray as a coming-of-age story shaped by fragile relationships, moral imbalance, and the question of whether escape is ever possible once love and loyalty are tied to violence.

A two-time BAFTA TV winner, Blair has directed acclaimed series such as Takin’ Over the Asylum and The Street, and has worked with actors including David Tennant, Olivia Colman, Timothy Spall, and Christopher Eccleston. Stray continues his focus on socially grounded British storytelling.

McVeigh said he feels honored to be part of the film, noting that its exploration of youth, vulnerability, and masculinity feels especially relevant today. Carey added that she was drawn to the raw, fragile nature of the story and the emotional weight of her character, saying the script stayed with her long after she first read it.

King said he wrote Stray to examine how mental health can be shaped—or damaged—when young people are controlled and conditioned before they truly understand themselves.

Stray is currently in development, with additional casting and production details expected to be announced at a later date.