Home / Arts and Entertainment / Native American Actress Danielle Vasinova to Star in Cult Thriller "The Leader"
Native American Actress Danielle Vasinova to Star in Cult Thriller "The Leader"
7 Oct
Summary
- Danielle Vasinova joins cast of new thriller "The Leader"
- Film based on true story of Heaven's Gate cult leaders
- Vasinova to play role of cult leader Marshall Applewhite's mother
As of October 7th, 2025, Native American/Czech actress Danielle Vasinova has joined the cast of the new thriller "The Leader." The film, directed by Michael J. Gallagher, is based on the true story of the infamous Heaven's Gate cult and its leaders, Bonnie Lu Nettles and Marshall Herf Applewhite.
Vasinova will be playing the role of Louise Applewhite, the mother of cult leader Marshall Herf Applewhite. The film will depict how Applewhite and Nettles convinced hundreds of followers to abandon their families and adopt the cult's "UFO religion," ultimately leading to the mass suicide of the group.
In addition to Vasinova, the film boasts an impressive cast, including Academy Award-nominated Vera Farmiga, Tim Blake Nelson of "Watchmen" fame, and Emmy Award-winning Jim Parsons of "The Big Bang Theory." The Leader marks Gallagher's biggest and most ambitious directorial feature to date, with a production team that includes several acclaimed names in the industry.
Vasinova, an Emmy Award-nominated actress, has been making waves in Hollywood recently, with appearances in the daytime hit "The Bay" and Taylor Sheridan's epic "1923." She is also set to star in Sheridan's new series "The Madison," expected to premiere sometime in late 2025 or early 2026.
