North of North
North of North is a Canadian comedy television series that premiered on CBC, APTN, and Netflix in 2025.
Anna Lambe plays Siaja, a young Inuk woman in the small fictional Canadian Arctic community of Ice Cove, on Prince of Wales Island in Nunavut.
On April 29, 2025, the show was renewed for a second season.
Synopsis
A young Inuk mother in a tiny, tight-knit Arctic town tries to reinvent herself after a spontaneous and extremely public exit from her marriage with the town's golden boy. She must navigate the unpredictable, and often hilarious, highs and lows that come with relationships, motherhood, a new job, and finding her own way.Cast and characters
Main
- Anna Lambe as Siaja, a young Inuk mother who got married just out of high school, and wants to break out of the rut she has found herself in. She is a sweet and genuine but awkward person. Though determined, her ambition is often stymied by her awkward nature.
- Maika Harper as Neevee, Siaja's mother who raised her on her own. She is a recovering alcoholic with a harsh personality and a biting sense of humour who isn't afraid to tell it like it is. She runs a local general store.
- Braeden Clarke as Kuuk, a researcher and Alistair's assistant. He's the love interest of Siaja, which is complicated by his on-again-off-again relationship with girlfriend Alexis.
- Zorga Qaunaq as Millie, Siaja's friend.
- Bailey Poching as Colin, a Māori man and Siaja's friend who runs the local radio station.
- Kelly William as Ting, Siaja's husband and the local "golden boy".
- Jay Ryan as Alistair, Siaja's estranged father. He is a researcher for a company that wants to build a research facility in Ice Cove. He only recently learned of Siaja's existence. He appears to still harbour feelings for Neevee.
- Mary Lynn Rajskub as Helen, the town manager.
- Nutaaq Doreen Simmonds as Elisapee, Siaja's coworker.
- Keira Belle Cooper as Bun, Siaja's daughter.
Recurring
- Vinnie Karetak as Jeffrey, the owner of the local dump, who also does multiple other jobs for the town.
- Taylor Hickson as Alexis, Kuuk's girlfriend.
Guest
- Tanya Tagaq as Nuliajuk.
Production
Filming began in Iqaluit, Nunavut on March 14, 2024 and ended in June 2024. The Iqaluit Curling Club was turned into a sound stage featuring the interior sets for filming since there is no nearby filming studio. Aglok MacDonald and Arnaquq-Baril's Red Marrow Media is working to create a permanent studio but it was not ready in time for the show's first season.
Debra Hanson and Nooks Lindell worked as the costume designers on the show. They focused on local Inuit artisans and designers to source the clothing, shoes, and jewellery worn by the characters. "It was really important to us that our parkas and anything traditional were made here in Nunavut, by Inuit artists," says Aglok MacDonald. "They had to go to the ends of the Arctic to fashion the magnificent costumes that people will see on screen, which are unlike anything that's ever been seen before."
Arnaquq-Baril said she was overwhelmed by the support from the Nunavummiut. "We get messages from people across the community just excited to be a part of it because a huge part of the community is in our show, on screen, and also working behind the scenes too." Iqaluit is also the hometown of Anna Lambe, who stars as Siaja. She said, "People constantly came up to hug me and say how proud they were of me and how exciting this was for Nunavut, for Inuit and Indigenous film and television. I wouldn't have wanted to film it anywhere else because the outpouring of love and support we received was so empowering."
The series premiered in Canada on APTN and CBC on January 7, 2025, and premiered globally on Netflix on April 10, 2025. North of North was renewed for a second season in April 2025. Season two is being filmed in Iqaluit and Toronto.
Episodes
Series overview
Season 1 (2025)
Reception and accolades
Critical response
called the show a "warm and likable journey into Canada’s icy north", while noting the series also touches upon more serious subjects, including the lingering trauma of residential schools and child-family separations.The New York Times included North of North on a list of the 30 Best TV Shows on Netflix Right Now in August 2025.