Rome Flynn has joined the cast of Throttled, Amazon MGM Studios’ new romance film based on the first book in Lauren Asher’s bestselling Dirty Air series, Deadline reports. The film is directed by Nzingha Stewart, reuniting her with Flynn after directing him on Apple TV+’s Imperfect Women, where he played Jordan opposite Kerry Washington..
Throttled centers on Maya Alatorre, played by Nicole Wallace, an ambitious young woman who joins her brother on the racing circuit and falls into a forbidden, high-stakes romance with Slade, her brother’s ruthless teammate and fiercest rival. Julio Peña plays Maya’s older brother Santi, also a driver on the circuit, with Mia McKenna-Bruce playing Maya’s best friend, Sophie. Flynn will play Jax Kingston, a highly skilled and competitive driver for Team McCoy locked in a tense rivalry with Noah Slade, played by Josh Heuston.
For Stewart, Throttled continues an active year directing across film and television. She’s also directed episodes of Amazon’s Spider-Noir, Apple TV+’s Imperfect Women, and Peacock’s The ‘Burbs adaptation in 2026 alone, working across genres from superhero noir to prestige ensemble drama to sitcom revival. That range reflects a director increasingly trusted to shape tone across very different kinds of projects, rather than being boxed into one specific genre lane.
For Flynn, the role adds to an already packed 2026. He currently plays a young Frank Lucas in MGM+’s Godfather of Harlem opposite Forest Whitaker, appeared as Jordan in Apple TV+’s Imperfect Women, stars as Javier in the Tyler Perry-backed, continuous-take musical Otra, and executive produces the short film Talk to Somebody alongside Tyrese Gibson and Van Lathan.
Throttled is produced by Max Handelman and Elizabeth Banks of Brownstone Productions, alongside Ethea Entertainment’s Jennifer Gibgot and Andrew Panay, with Garret Grant also producing. Alison Small of Brownstone Productions and Lauren Asher executive produce.
With Stewart juggling multiple active directing projects and Flynn building out an increasingly varied slate of his own, Throttled brings together two in-demand creatives whose schedules this year alone suggest just how much momentum each is currently carrying.