"In the Palm of His Hand" Cast Breakdown: Meet the Actors Behind the Dark Romance

The dark romance quickly drew attention for its story of a college senior pulled into the world of a powerful ex-mafia billionaire. If you're curious about the "In the Palm of His Hand" cast, here's everything we know.

ReelShort’s 'In the Palm of His Hand' premiered on February 22, 2026, and quickly gained attention for its dark romance storyline.

It centers on Shelby Yates, a college senior whose life takes a dramatic turn after she saves billionaire ex-mafia CEO Matteo Franconi and is pulled into his intense and possessive world.

If you’ve been seeing clips all over social media, here’s a closer look at the "In the Palm of His Hand" cast and what we know about them beyond the series.

Maria Barseghian as Shelby Yates and Chase Mattson as Matteo Franconi in a scene from "In The Palm of His Hand" | Source: instagram: reelshortapp

Chase Mattson as Matteo Franconi

Chase Mattson takes on the role of Matteo Franconi, the wealthy and enigmatic ex-mafia boss whose obsession with Shelby drives the story.

Born on June 3, 1994, in Los Angeles, California, Mattson stands 6'2" and has built a steady career in film. His IMDb mini bio describes him as “caring, fun-loving, and down-to-earth,” drawing comparisons to Chris Hemsworth and Brad Pitt. Outside of acting, he has a strong social media following, with over 683K followers on Instagram.

Chase Mattson as Matteo Franconi in "In the Palm of His Hand" | Source: instagram/reelshortapp

His previous credits include "Shelter in the Mafia," where he played lead character Ken Miller, along with "Rosé All Day" and "Hidden Lives." In "In the Palm of His Hand," he leans into a darker role, portraying a powerful and controlling man bearing emotional scars.

Maria Barseghian as Shelby Yates

Maria Barseghian plays Shelby Yates, the college senior whose ordinary life becomes more complicated when she intervenes in an assassination attempt and saves Matteo.

Maria Barseghian as Shelby Yates and Chase Mattson as Matteo Franconi in a scene from "In The Palm of His Hand" | Source: instagram: reelshortapp

Barseghian graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied acting and film. Her training ranges from Shakespeare to contemporary works, and she is also interested in producing. While in school, she wrote and produced her first short film.

The multifaceted actress is familiar to ReelShort viewers. She has appeared in titles such as "Fatal Attraction: The Hybrid Princess," "Fated to the Alpha," "The Virgin’s Bucket List," "The Cursed Alpha’s Mate," and "Ruthless Mafia Daddy."

Trevor Van Uden as Amos

Trevor Van Uden portrays Amos in the series. Born in Thousand Oaks, California, he is known for roles in "Young Woman and the Sea" (2024) and "Barbarian" (2022). His résumé also includes projects like "Beautiful Disaster," "Red Sonja," and "Subservience."

With training under respected coaches, including Larry Moss and Anthony Meindl, Van Uden brings experience from both mainstream films and independent productions.

Supporting Cast

Together, this ensemble shapes the tense, high-stakes world of "In the Palm of His Hand," blending romance, danger, and emotional conflict into a fast-paced ReelShort drama.