Who's starring in the Disney+ blizzard thriller Togo, and what else have they been in? Directed by cinematographer-turned-filmmaker Ericson Core, whose other credits include Invincible and the 2015 Point Break remake, the streaming service original movie tells the remarkably untold true story about the real canine hero behind the 1925 serum run.
When Nome, Alaska experienced a seemingly unstoppable diphtheria outbreak, an intricate relay system was implemented to get antitoxins delivered across the treacherous, 600 mile round trip. While the dog Balto is the pooch who gets the most credit for the heroic rescue effort, Tom Flynn's screenplay sets to tell the right story by introducing the audience to Togo. By the time the medicine was delivered and the outbreak was squashed, Togo, with his musher Leonhard Seppala (Willem Dafoe), single handedly led a charge of over 250 miles himself.
Balto's notoriety, however, which included a commemorative statue in Central Park and his own animated film in 1995, was seemingly a result of good timing. According to Togo, Balto was not only the co-head of the team that completed the final leg of the journey, but he was only selected by the press for having a better name than his co-leader. Tragically, Seppala and Togo's heroism has been largely swept under the rug. Until now.
Willem Dafoe As Leonhard Seppala
Based on a real man, Leonhard Seppala was a veteran and celebrated dog sled racer who accepted the call to retrieve the antitoxins and deliver them back to Nome. The actor playing him, Willem Dafoe, is one of the most versatile and respected performers working today.
After fostering a career on the stage of New York's experimental theater, Dafoe has enjoyed a long and expansive Hollywood career, which has ranged from smaller, independent gems such as The Florida Project (2017), Mississippi Burning (1988), and The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) to large-scaled productions such as Sam Raimi's Spider-Man franchise – in which he played the Green Goblin – Finding Nemo (2003), and Aquaman (2018). Nominated for four Academy Awards, his work has also been celebrated in films like Oliver Stone's Platoon (1986), At Eternity's Gate (2018), and most recently in Robert Eggers' maritime thriller The Lighthouse (2019).
Togo's Supporting Cast
Julianne Nicholson as Constance Seppala: Leonhard's wife who initially cares for Togo during his sickly youth. Julianne Nicholson has enjoyed several supporting roles in award-contending productions such as August: Osage County and the Margot Robbie vehicle I, Tonya. Earlier this year, she also played the role of hostage doctor Sara Watson in Alejandro Landes' mesmerizing thriller, Monos.
Christopher Heyerdahl as Mayor George Maynard: The mayor of Nome who initially asked Leonhard to complete the run alone and who later helped implement a relay system. Christopher Heyerdahl is most known for his supporting role of the Swede in the AMC series Hell on Wheels, though he has also played the part of Marcus in the Twilight franchise, and also worked on, among other films and TV shows, Van Helsing, Tin Star, and the Halle Berry Catwoman movie.
Richard Dormer as Dr. Curtis Welch: Nome's town doctor. Best known for his role as Beric Dondarrion in the HBO juggernaut Game of Thrones, Richard Dormer has also played Dan Anderssen in Fortitude.
