Who is starring in the Netflix film?

Based on the incredible true story of Australian teenager Jessica Watson, true spirit is a heartfelt family film about one of the youngest people to ever circumnavigate the world on an unassisted sailing trip.

The cast of true spirit is directed by talented aspiring Australian actress Teagan Croft. She is joined by at least one Oscar winner and several other Australian and New Zealand stars. Croft plays a stubborn teenager determined to follow her dreams and face her fears as she tries to become the youngest person to sail around the world.

Cast and Characters of True Spirit

Read on to meet the cast of this inspirational film.

true spirit. Teagan Croft as Jessica Watson in True Spirit. Cr: Netflix © 2023

Teagan Croft as Jessica Watson

Jessica Watson is not technically a “character” but a representation of a real person. In October 2009, the real Jessica embarked on a remarkable journey: sailing around the world solo at just 16 years old. This inspiring young woman has since been awarded the Order of Australia Medal and inducted into the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame.

It’s fitting that Jessica is portrayed by an Australian actress. Aussie Teagan Croft, 18, began acting in the 2016 Australian science fiction film The Osiris Child before landing a recurring role on the popular soap opera home and away, which also featured early roles for A-listers like Margot Robbie and Chris Hemsworth. Croft’s most notable role to date was as comic book character Rachel Roth/Raven on HBO Max’s Titans.

true spirit. (L to R) Josh Lawson as Roger Watson, Anna Paquin as Julie Watson and Teagan Croft as Jessica Watson in True Spirit. Kr. Julian Panetta/Netflix © 2023

Anna Paquin as Julie Watson

Oscar winner Anna Paquin plays Jessica’s mother, Julie Watson. The New Zealand actress began her acting career at a very young age, winning her first Oscar at just 11 for her work in the 1993 romantic drama film The piano.

Paquin continued to act in films throughout her adolescence such as Fly away home, Almost famousAnd jane eyre. Today, audiences know her best as the mutant superhero Rogue on Fox’s X-Men franchises and True Blood Leading actress Sookie Stackhouse. She recently starred in Peacock’s A family friendbased on the true kidnapping of Jan Broberg.

Josh Lawson as Roger Watson

Australian actor Josh Lawson plays Anna Paquin’s on-screen husband and Jessica’s father Roger Watson. This talented actor/writer began his career in the late 1990s with a recurring role on the Australian children’s show The Wayne Manifesto.

He’s been working steadily ever since and is best known for playing Tate on the NBC sitcom Supermarket and Kano in Mortal Kombat. He also recently appeared in an episode of the Netflix series Cobra Kai. His brother is a fellow actor and Firefly Lane Star Ben Lawson.

true spirit. (L to R) Cliff Curtis as Ben Bryant and Teagan Croft as Jessica Watson in True Spirit. Kr. Julian Panetta/Netflix © 2023

Cliff Curtis as Ben Bryant

Ben Bryant is Jessica’s mentor and sailing coach, but unlike the others, he introduces true spiritBen is a fictional composite character based on several real people from Jessica’s life.

New Zealand actor Cliff Curtis brings Ben to life in the film. Funnily enough, Curtis also starred in the 1993 film The piano next to his true spirit co-star Anna Paquin. He also appeared in films like collateral damage, The Dark Horse, doctor sleepand last Avatar: The Way of Water. He will return to reprise his role as Tonowari in the upcoming one avatar sequels. On television, Curtis’ biggest claim to fame is playing Travis on multiple seasons of Fear the walking death.

Other True Spirit cast members

• Bridget Webb as Emily Watson
• Vivien Turner as Hannah Watson
• Stacy Clausen as Tom Watson
• Todd Lasance as Craig Atherton
• Alice Tate as Georgina Bauer
• Luke O’Neill as Kevin Rudd

true spirit Coming to Netflix on Friday, February 3rd.