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North of North

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

North of North
GenreSitcom
Created by
Starring
Composers
Country of originCanada
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Production companies
  • Northwood Entertainment
  • Red Marrow Media
Original release
Network
ReleaseJanuary 7, 2025 (2025-01-07) –
present

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[1] in Nunavut.[2]

On April 29, 2025, the show was renewed for a second season.[3]

Synopsis

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A young Inuk mother tries to reinvent herself after a spontaneous and extremely public exit from her marriage with the town's golden boy in a tiny, tight-knit Arctic town. She must navigate the unpredictable, and often hilarious, highs and lows that come with relationships, motherhood, a new job, and finding her own way.[4]

Cast and characters

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  • Anna Lambe as Siaja,[5] a young Inuk mother who got married just out of high school, and wants to break out of the rut she's found herself in. She is a sweet and genuine but awkward person. Though determined, her ambition is often stymied by her awkward nature.
  • Mary Lynn Rajskub as Helen,[6] the town manager.
  • Keira Cooper as Bun,[7] Siaja's daughter.
  • Maika Harper as Neevee,[7] 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.
  • Jay Ryan as Alistair,[8] 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.
  • Braeden Clarke as Kuuk,[7] 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.
  • Kelly William as Ting,[9] Siaja's husband and local "golden boy".
  • Zorga Qaunaq as Millie,[10] Siaja's friend.
  • Bailey Poching as Colin,[7] a Māori man and Siaja's friend who runs the local radio station.
  • Nutaaq Doreen Simmonds as Elisapee,[7] Siaja's coworker.
  • Tanya Tagaq as Nuliajuk.[11]
  • Vincent "Vinnie" Karetak as Jeffrey,[12] the owner of the local dump, who also does multiple other jobs for the town.
  • Taylor Hickson as Alexis, Kuuk's girlfriend.

Production

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The series was created by Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril.[13][14] Directors include Anya Adams, Danis Goulet, Zoe Leigh Hopkins, Lisa Jackson, Renuka Jeyapalan and Aleysa Young.[15]

Filming began in Iqaluit, Nunavut on March 14, 2024[16] and ended in June 2024.[17] The Iqaluit Curling Club was turned into a sound stage featuring the interior sets for filming since there is no nearby filming studio.[18] 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.[19]

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."[20]

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."[17] 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."[21]

The series premiered in Canada on APTN and CBC on January 7, 2025,[22] and premiered globally on Netflix on April 10, 2025.[23] North of North was renewed for a second season in April 2025.[24][3]

Episodes

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No.Title [25]Directed byWritten byOriginal airdate [25]Prod.
code
1"Top of the World"Anya AdamsStacey Aglok MacDonald & Alethea Arnaquq-BarilJanuary 7, 2025 (2025-01-07)478520-1
Siaja, a young Inuk woman living in Ice Cove, is stuck in an unfulfilling marriage with her high school sweetheart, Ting, who is happy for her to be a stay-at-home mom. During a seal hunt, she falls overboard and hallucinates that she sees the goddess Nuliajuk. When Ting berates her for embarrassing him, Siaja abruptly decides to change her life, going to a party and kissing a stranger. At the local festival, she publicly breaks up with Ting after they are named king and queen of the seal hunt. Siaja learns that the stranger she kissed is the father she never knew, Alistair.
2"No Freeloading"Anya AdamsStory by : Kathryn Borel, Jr.
Teleplay by : Susan Coyne		January 7, 2025 (2025-01-07)478520-8

Siaja and her daughter, Bun, crash at her mother Neevee's home. After her mother warns her that she can't be a freeloader, Siaja gets a temporary job doing large item pickup for the town. After Siaja proves herself to be a great communicator, Helen, the facilitator of the community centre, offers her a job as her assistant.

Neevee tries to facilitate a reconciliation between Siaja and Ting, but Siaja declares their marriage over. Neevee offers Siaja a more permanent place in her home.
3"Dumpcano"Aleysa YoungGarry CampbellJanuary 14, 2025 (2025-01-14)478520-2

Siaja takes some personal belongings that remind her of her husband to the dump and lights them on fire. She unknowingly starts an uncontrolled fire at the dump.

Siaja starts her new job and is surprised when her first meeting involves talking to Alistair, her estranged father, about his proposal to set up a research station in Ice Cove. The fire at the dump creates a public relations crisis as Helen and her team want to impress Alistair and Kuuk.

After Bun gets in trouble at school, Neevee takes her out for the day to find out what is wrong.
4"Joy to the Effing World"Aleysa YoungAlethea Arnaquq-Baril & Linsey StewartJanuary 21, 2025 (2025-01-21)478520-7

Siaja is tasked with running elders' night. After seeing how dull it is, she takes it upon herself to liven things up, resulting in disastrous consequences.

Neevee tells Alistair she wants nothing to do with him, but in a small town like Ice Cove, they find each other unavoidable.
5"Walrus Dick Baseball"Renuka JeyapalanMoriah Sallaffie & Garry CampbellJanuary 28, 2025 (2025-01-28)478520-3

A fun attempt to raise funds for Ice Cove takes on higher stakes when Helen agrees to a winner-take-all format instead of splitting the funds with a rival town.

Siaja and Kuuk grow closer, to Ting's consternation.
6"Carnivores"Zoe Leigh HopkinsLinsey StewartFebruary 4, 2025 (2025-02-04)478520-4

After a series of erotic dreams, Siaja's friends encourage her to have a one-night stand. A disastrous date with fetishist Olivier helps her realize who her dreams are about.

Alistair and Neevee attempt to give their relationship a try, but when Alistair brings up the past, Neevee calls their relationship off.
7"Lost and Found"Danis GouletSusan CoyneFebruary 11, 2025 (2025-02-11)478520-5

When Ting goes missing, Siaja's knowledge of his hunting habits helps to find him alive, but injured. To help with his recovery, Siaja temporarily returns to Ting's home, but finds herself falling into old patterns.

Alistair encourages Neevee not to give up on them, only to be sorely disappointed when he realizes she's already moved on.
8"Bad Influences"Danis GouletStory by : Aviaq Johnston & JP Larocque
Teleplay by : Aviaq Johnston & Garry Campbell		February 18, 2025 (2025-02-18)478520-6

Neevee reveals a secret to Siaja, explaining why she hid her from her father.

In pitch to win the favour of a research team looking for a town to invest in, Siaja gives a heartfelt speech about Ice Cove. Although the suits are impressed, they decide that Ice Cove will not get a research station. But they will get a satellite station, which Alistair will run.

The community holds a celebration. Alistair tells Neevee he is staying for his daughter and granddaughter, not for her. Kuuk tells Siaja he is also staying. But so is his girlfriend, Alexis.

Reception and accolades

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Critical response

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The Hollywood Reporter 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.[26]

References

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  1. ^ Pelletier, Jeff (April 10, 2025). "A 'North of North' Ice Cove location guide". Nunatsiaq News. Archived from the original on May 1, 2025. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  2. ^ Murphy, Aisling (January 4, 2025). "This is the Arctic as you've never seen it onscreen — sure, it's cold and isolated, but it's not a pop culture wasteland". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on January 20, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Arctic comedy North of North renewed for a second season". The Globe and Mail. April 29, 2025. Archived from the original on April 30, 2025. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  4. ^ "North of North - About the Show". CBC Media Centre. Archived from the original on December 30, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  5. ^ Karounos, Patricia (January 6, 2025). "Comedy Series North of North Brings Inuit Women's Stories To The Screen Like Never Before". Elle Canada.
  6. ^ Jamal, Meral (February 10, 2025). "'North of North' tells a story rooted in Inuit joy". Broadview.
  7. ^ a b c d e "About North of North". APTN. Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. Archived from the original on February 16, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  8. ^ Vlessing, Etan (March 14, 2024). "Mary Lynn Rajskub, Jay Ryan Board Netflix's 'North of North' Arctic Comedy". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  9. ^ Ho, Rachel (January 7, 2025). "'North of North' Is Celebrating Inuk Joy, as Its Creators Take Control of Their Own Stories". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on January 31, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  10. ^ Pelletier, Jeff (December 17, 2024). "Iqaluit rolls out red carpet for 'North of North'". Nunatsiaq News. Archived from the original on February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  11. ^ Woodend, Dorothy (February 7, 2025). "In 'North of North,' a Joyous Celebration of Being Inuk". The Tyee. Archived from the original on February 23, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  12. ^ Letts, Daron (February 19, 2025). "Iqaluit fans offer thumbs-up to 'North of North' season ender". Nunatsiaq News. Archived from the original on February 21, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  13. ^ Dart, Chris (January 16, 2025). "'Make me laugh': The North of North co-creators try to figure out the 'Inuit sense of humour'". CBC. Archived from the original on February 25, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  14. ^ Laskaris, Sam (January 7, 2025). "'North of North' co-creators depict a different side of Inuit life". Nunatsiaq News. Archived from the original on February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  15. ^ Singerland, Calum (March 14, 2024). "Mary Lynn Rajskub, Tanya Tagaq Join Cast of Arctic Comedy 'North of North'". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  16. ^ Christie, Brendan (March 14, 2024). "Arctic comedy North of North begins filming in Nunavut". Playback. Archived from the original on November 1, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Wat, Samuel (June 6, 2024). "New CBC, APTN Netflix series captures joys of life in the Arctic". CBC. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  18. ^ Pelletier, Jeff (January 10, 2024). "Curling ice melts as Iqaluit rink transforms into TV studio". Nunatsiaq News.
  19. ^ Nestruck, J. Kelly (January 7, 2025). "How North of North's creative team made this winter's hottest new TV comedy in Nunavut". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on February 19, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  20. ^ "Funny, authentic, beautiful: Why you want to watch CBC's new comedy series North of North". CBC. January 2, 2025.
  21. ^ "CBC's North of North is a hilarious look at a young Inuk mom looking for a fresh start in a tiny Arctic town". CBC. December 9, 2024. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  22. ^ Casemore, Jamie (November 28, 2024). "CBC sets winter 2025 streaming, broadcast lineup". Playback. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  23. ^ Bitran, Tara (March 13, 2025). "Everything You Need to Know About Arctic Comedy North of North". Netflix. Archived from the original on March 13, 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  24. ^ Otterson, Joe (April 30, 2025). "'North of North' Renewed for Season 2 at Netflix". Variety. Archived from the original on May 1, 2025. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  25. ^ a b "North of North". CBC Gem. Archived from the original on February 27, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  26. ^ Han, Angie (April 10, 2025). "'North of North' Review: Netflix Comedy Is a Warm and Likable [sic] Journey Into Canada's Icy North". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 17, 2025. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
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