'Mafia Mamma's Hot Lover' Cast: Meet the Stars of the ReelShort Romance Series

Betrayal, power, and forbidden love collide in this vertical drama that follows Maria Barlow’s rise from heartbroken wife to mafia godmother. Get to know the 'Mafia Mamma’s Hot Lover' cast up close.

"Mafia Mamma’s Hot Lover" is a story of betrayal and forbidden romance set against the backdrop of family politics.

The series follows Maria Barlow, a devoted wife whose husband’s betrayal changes her life, and ultimately leads her into the arms of her childhood friend, who is later revealed to be the heir to a rival mafia family.

A screenshot from the trailer of the vertical drama "Mafia Mamma's Hot Lover" | Source: youtube/reelshort

Here's a closer look at the "Mafia Mamma’s Hot Lover" cast and the characters they play.

Ioana Damian as Maria St. Clair

Leading the series as Maria is Ioana Damian, who plays an innocent and caring wife blindsided by her husband Jack Barlow’s betrayal.

He publicly humiliates her during their anniversary celebration, choosing his mistress Nikki and demanding a divorce. Meanwhile, Nikki goes to great lengths to get rid of Maria, even hiring a contractor to kill her.

Ioana Damian as Maria St. Clair in "Mafia Mamma's Hot Lover" | Source: youtube/reelshort

Maria’s life takes a dramatic turn when she learns that her grandfather, mafia boss Gerard St. Clair, has died. She inherits his 1900-acre estate and all his assets, making her the new chairwoman and the next godmother of the St. Clair mafia family.

Ioana Damian as Maria in "Mafia Mamma's Hot Lover" | Source: youtube/reelshort

Aside from acting, Sydney-based Damian is also a commercial talent, dancer, model, director, writer, and producer. She speaks English, Romanian, and Spanish, and lists a wide range of athletic skills, including mountain biking, volleyball, and ice skating, among others. On Instagram, Ioana shares updates about her acting work and behind-the-scenes moments.

Xarve Fritz Buchholz as Richard Paterson

Another member of the "Mafia Mamma's Hot Lover" cast is Xarve Fritz Buchholz, who plays Richard Paterson, Gerard’s lawyer and Maria’s childhood friend. After Maria is targeted by a hitman, Richard steps in and saves her life

Richard was raised under Gerard’s supervision after losing his parents and eventually became both his lawyer and trusted right-hand man. As the story unfolds, it’s revealed that Richard is the long-lost heir to the rival Pattinson family, creating tension between love and loyalty.

Xarve Fritz Buchholz as Richard Paterson in "Mafia Mamma's Hot Lover" | Source: youtube/reelshort

Buchholz is also based in Sydney and was drawn to acting from a young age, encouraged in part by his mother. During his school years, he took acting classes both at school and at NIDA, and graduated high school on the honor roll in drama.

He appeared in various short films and stage productions before completing the full-time program at the Howard Fine Studio in 2019, after which he began pursuing acting professionally. In addition to acting, he is also a musician and visual artist.

His Instagram page features updates on his acting, writing, and producing projects.

Chad Mathew as Jack Barlow

Chad Mathew portrays Jack Barlow, Maria’s husband of ten years. While Maria dedicates herself to their marriage, Jack pursues another relationship with Nikki and ultimately leaves Maria for his mistress.

Mathew is a Sydney-based actor, model, presenter, and content creator with more than 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry.

Over the course of his career, he has worked across film, television, radio, live presenting, and commercial campaigns in Australia and internationally. His screen credits include "Cleverman," "Crownies," "Deadly Women," and "The Librarians."

In addition to acting, he has commercially represented major global brands such as Qantas, BMW, ING, and Chemist Warehouse. He trained at several respected institutions, including NIDA, TAFTA, and RADA. He is also passionate about health, fitness, and overall wellness, which he considers an important part of both his personal and professional life

Mathew shares his professional highlights on his Instagram.

Marie-Elle Vivaldi as Natalie

Natalie is portrayed as materialistic and openly hostile toward Maria, especially during the funeral scenes.

Vivaldi's other projects include "The Holy Scoundrel," "Pillars of the Community: Wildlife Rescue," and "Intrusive Thoughts." She shares career updates and creative projects on her Instagram.

At its core, "Mafia Mamma’s Hot Lover" is about transformation. Maria goes from a betrayed housewife to the head of a powerful crime family. Alongside the inheritance drama, the romance between Maria and Richard adds another layer, especially once his connection to the rival Pattinson family comes to light.