Anna Lambe Talks About Netflix’s ‘North Of North’ And Life In The Arctic

The Netflix series North of North debuted at No. 9 on the English TV list with three million views following its April 10 premiere. It gained 2.7 million views in its second week, landing the Arctic dramedy at No. 10.

Though it remains in the Top 10, the new show is off to a slow start. This heartwarming story of a young Inuk wife and mother who wants to live life on her terms deserves to be on the list, and the hope is that its 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and positive online buzz will help it climb the charts in the coming weeks.

The eight-episode series from creators, executive producers, and writers Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril is an absolute must-watch. This uplifting story centers around Siaja (Anna Lambe) as she rebuilds her life in her tight-knit Arctic hometown of Ice Cove following a spontaneous and public split from her self-absorbed husband Ting (Kelly William). Siaja goes from a monotonous but safe life to crashing on her mother Neevee’s (Maika Harper) couch with her feisty daughter Bun (Keira Belle Cooper).

In a sit-down interview, Lambe explained the importance of telling Siaja’s story and that of the Inuit culture. She told me she cried throughout the audition process because she wanted the part so badly, and when she was cast, there were plenty of happy tears. Lambe also wanted the chance to work with MacDonald and Arnaquq-Baril following their time together on the 2018 film Grizzlies. “I knew that North of North would change how we are represented in film and television.”

When she read the character description, Lambe immediately connected with Siaja. “She’s a young mother trying to figure herself out. She’s well-intentioned and wants to do what’s best for the community. I loved her ambition and how she cares about people and wants what’s best for everyone. Oftentimes, she’d put the needs of others first at her own expense, but she realizes that she can’t do that anymore. She resonated with me so deeply.”

As the streamer’s first-ever Canadian original series, North of North teaches viewers about the Inuit culture, which many might be unfamiliar with. It’s the first series of its size to film in the Arctic, marking a significant milestone in platforming authentic stories from the region on a global scale.

For MacDonald and Arnaquq-Baril, it was important to capture the people of this region and to be authentic behind the scenes. Locals were hired in various departments, including set design, wardrobe, hair, and makeup, with a spotlight on the significance of tattoos in the Inuit culture.

Ice Cove, however, is a fictional place. The show stitched together various locations in and around Iqaluit to create the town. The nearby community of Apex proved crucial to capturing a small-town feeling and showcased the unique Arctic landscape.

When asked what Lambe wants the audience to glean from watching the series, she briefly paused before answering. “We exist! We’re up there. A lot of people have this idea of the north as being cold and desolate, and maybe people, once upon a time, lived up there, but don’t anymore. So often, as I’ve traveled the world and worked on different things, people are so surprised that there are communities up there. I hope through this show that people see that not only are there communities up there, they’re so warm and vibrant, and we’re modern, and we’re very much connected to the rest of the world. We love pop culture and understand what’s happening in the world. It’s just that this connection hasn’t gone both ways for a long time, and it’s exciting that the world will see us as we truly are through this story.”

As stated above, it was all about authenticity, including Siaja’s wardrobe. She wears a lot of statement pieces, including bold and colorful earrings. Lambe discussed the significance of large earrings and bright colors in the Inuit culture. “It’s dark for so much of the year, so we wear bright colors. We express ourselves through our fashion. Earrings are little bits of luxury that we carry along with us,” she explained, adding the importance of beadwork and how the skill is passed down from generation to generation.

She then addressed the scenes in the show about hunting and why this is a reality in her world, due to the high expense of groceries and limited access to food and supplies. This is an important part of the culture that the show doesn’t gloss over or shy away from.

“Hunting is an important part of our culture, and there’s such a deep respect and love for animals. It’s not just what they provide us, but what we give back to them; it’s very cyclical. No life is above another,” explained Lambe.

She was referring to subsistence hunting, which is harvesting wild animals for food, clothing, and other essential needs for people in remote regions who rely on animals for survival and cultural traditions. “It was important to show this because there are a lot of misunderstandings about hunting. It’s a central part of our community. We share meat and gather around food; it brings us together. When you hunt your first animal, you share all of it, and everything goes back into the community. When you hunt after that, you can keep some of it, but it’s always important to give back.”

They’re very respectful of the environment. “We’re big believers that nothing goes to waste after a hunt. When a walrus is hunted, carvings are made from the ivory tusks. People will use whatever is left from the carvings to make jewelry. If there’s a caribou hunt, antlers are used to make jewelry and carvings. Leftover furs and skins are used for parkas and boots. It’s all about finding a place for everything and not letting anything go to waste.”

Some of the most heartfelt scenes are with Siaja and the elders in her Arctic town. I asked her to describe how seniors are regarded in her community. “There is so much reverence and respect for elders. They guide the next generation. We look to them when we are unsure of what to do next. It was important to have them in the show. They’re the knowledge keepers.”

As fans root for a second season of North of North, they can look forward to seeing Lambe in two upcoming films: the comedy Dusk & Dawn and director David Ayer’s action film, Heart of the Beast, starring alongside Brad Pitt and J.K. Simmons.