Stand-up comedian and actor Tone Bell is stepping into one of his most layered roles yet as the lead in the upcoming dark comedy titled Transcending, which just wrapped principal photography in Kansas City, Missouri. The film, directed by Mike Luciano and written by Raleigh Cain, marks a bold new chapter in Bell’s career, blending surreal humor with emotional depth.
Bell plays a starving artist from the big city, reeling from a breakup with his wife (played by Kirby Howell-Baptiste)—who leaves him for a DJ. Seeking solace, he’s sent by his tough-love sister (played by Nicole Byer) to a quirky bed-and-breakfast in rural Kansas City.
There, he meets Raleigh Cain’s character, a magnetic young widow and best-selling author who believes her late husband’s soul has transcended into the walls of her farmhouse. As their chemistry grows, so does the surreal nature of their connection—she’s literally in love with the house.
Together, they navigate grief, healing, and self-discovery through unconventional methods, surrounded by a cast of eccentric locals:
- A hippie cowboy (Pete Gardner)
- A fiery neighbor with legendary chili (Heidi Gardner)
- A reclusive town musician played by real-life artist Kevin Morby, whose music will feature in the film.
- Director: Mike Luciano (HBO’s Animals, Creep Tapes) makes his live-action feature debut.
- Writer: Raleigh Cain, a Kansas City native, also makes her screenwriting debut.
- Producers: Paige Blankenship and Courtney Tait
- Executive Producers: Cain, Luciano, Chris K. Daniels, Jess Mastro, and Will Runyon Jr.
The film leveraged Missouri’s transferable tax credit and Kansas City’s film rebate program, part of a growing trend of indie productions flocking to the Midwest.
Known for his roles in Survival of the Thickest, Disjointed, and Fam, Bell has steadily built a reputation for blending humor with heart. Transcending offers him a chance to stretch into more dramatic territory while maintaining his comedic edge.
Bell is repped by CAA and Mosaic Media Company, and the film is expected to hit the festival circuit in 2026, following post-production in Los Angeles.
Transcending isn’t just another quirky indie—it’s a meditation on grief, identity, and the strange ways we find connection. With Tone Bell at the helm and a powerhouse ensemble behind him, the film promises to be one of the most talked-about entries in next year’s festival lineup.
