Get ready to embark on a gripping journey to the frozen wilderness when North of North premieres April 10, 2025, exclusively on Netflix. This atmospheric thriller follows a tight-knit Inuit community thrown into chaos after a mysterious disappearance exposes long-buried secrets and dangerous outsiders encroaching on their land. Blending Indigenous storytelling traditions with edge-of-your-seat suspense, the series offers a fresh perspective on survival dramas while showcasing breathtaking Arctic landscapes rarely seen on television.

Led by an incredible ensemble of Indigenous actors and creators, North of North weaves together themes of cultural preservation, environmental threats, and the unbreakable bonds of family. As the small town of Kuujjuaq grapples with both natural and human threats, viewers will be treated to a masterclass in tension-building, where the icy setting becomes as much a character as the compelling personalities fighting to protect their home. Early screenings have drawn comparisons to Fortitude and Dark, but with a distinctly Indigenous perspective that makes this series truly groundbreaking.

North of North Cast Names

1- Anna Lambe as Siaja

Anna Lambe (The Grizzlies, Trickster) delivers a powerhouse performance as Siaja, the resilient young woman at the heart of the mystery. Lambe brings raw emotional intensity to her portrayal of a reluctant hero forced to confront both external dangers and painful family history. Her character’s journey from dutiful daughter to determined investigator forms the emotional backbone of the series.

The actress spent months learning traditional survival skills from Inuit elders to prepare for the role, including ice fishing and igloo building. Lambe’s authentic portrayal shines in Episode 4’s blizzard sequence, where Siaja must rely entirely on ancestral knowledge to survive – a scene filmed in actual -40°C temperatures that required incredible physical endurance.

2- Jay Ryan as Alistair

Jay Ryan (It Chapter Two, Beauty and the Beast) brings complex depth to Alistair, the enigmatic outsider whose arrival coincides with the community’s troubles. Ryan masterfully walks the line between potential ally and suspect, keeping viewers guessing about his true motives throughout the season. His character’s growing relationship with Siaja creates one of the show’s most compelling dynamics.

Ryan worked closely with cultural consultants to ensure his portrayal respectfully navigated the tensions between Alistair’s character and the Indigenous community. His Episode 6 breakdown scene – where years of repressed trauma finally surface – stands as one of the season’s most powerful moments.

3- Maika Harper as Neevee

Maika Harper (The Walking Dead: World Beyond) steals scenes as Neevee, Siaja’s fiercely protective cousin with a knack for uncovering secrets. Harper brings both warmth and intensity to the role, particularly in her character’s subplot involving the preservation of traditional language against modern pressures.

The actress incorporated her own Inuit background into the performance, including teaching cast members basic Inuktitut phrases. Harper’s standout moment comes in Episode 3, where Neevee delivers an impassioned speech about cultural erosion that reduced the crew to tears during filming.

4- Braeden Clarke as Kuuk

Braeden Clarke (Burden of Truth) delivers a breakout performance as Kuuk, the troubled hunter whose knowledge of the land proves crucial to solving the mystery. Clarke’s physical transformation for the role – including mastering the distinctive gait of someone who’s spent a lifetime on the ice – adds remarkable authenticity.

His character’s struggle with alcohol addiction is portrayed with heartbreaking realism, informed by Clarke’s consultations with addiction specialists in northern communities. The Episode 7 caribou hunt sequence showcases both his acting chops and the incredible stunt work he trained months to perform.

5- Zorga Qaunaq as Millie

Zorga Qaunaq makes an unforgettable television debut as Millie, the community’s sharp-tongued elder whose visions may hold the key to the mystery. Qaunaq brings both wisdom and wit to the role, delivering many of the show’s most memorable lines while serving as the keeper of traditional knowledge.

The 72-year-old first-time actress drew from her own life experiences growing up in Nunavut. Her haunting rendition of traditional throat singing in Episode 5 – performed live on set – provides one of the season’s most culturally significant moments.

6- Bailey Poching as Colin

Bailey Poching (Tribal) portrays Colin, the ambitious young constable caught between modern policing and traditional justice. Poching excels at showing his character’s internal conflict, particularly in scenes where community expectations clash with official procedures.

The actor shadowed RCMP officers in northern postings to prepare, learning everything from arrest protocols to snowmobile maintenance. His character’s evolving relationship with Kuuk forms one of the season’s most unexpected but rewarding arcs.

7- Mary Lynn Rajskub as Helen

Mary Lynn Rajskub (24, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) shows new dramatic range as Helen, the tough-as-nails mining company rep whose agenda threatens the community. Rajskub’s performance avoids easy villainy, instead showing a corporate true believer whose worldview gradually cracks under pressure.

Her Episode 8 confrontation with Qaunaq’s Millie – a battle of wits between modernity and tradition – stands as one of the season’s most electric scenes. Rajskub reportedly stayed in character for entire shooting days to maintain Helen’s constant state of tension.

8- Keira Cooper as Bun

Young actor Keira Cooper delivers a remarkably mature performance as Bun, the curious child whose innocent discoveries propel the mystery forward. Cooper’s natural screen presence makes her character’s wonder at both modern technology and traditional ways utterly believable.

The production worked carefully with child psychologists to ensure Cooper’s wellbeing during more intense scenes. Her final scene with Lambe in the season finale is guaranteed to leave viewers emotionally wrecked.

Supporting Cast Highlights

• Doreen Nutaaq Simmonds brings quiet strength as Elisapee, the community’s overworked nurse
• Vinnie Karetak provides comic relief as Jeffrey, the resourceful mechanic
• Kelly William dazzles in her limited but crucial role as Ting, the mysterious figure from Siaja’s past