Finally, it’s time to travel North of North again.
Set in the tiny Arctic community of Ice Cove, North of North follows Siaja (Anna Lambe), a young Inuk mother who lives with her mother, Neevee (Maika Harper). Facing a crossroads in her life, Siaja wants to reinvent herself. With a new job, new potential relationship and walking the line between mother and daughter herself, Siaja finds herself navigating life without a compass in a community where everyone knows your business.
After almost literally sweeping the Canadian Screen Awards earlier this year, North of North’s second season shows why it’s quickly become such a Canadian gem. With its own mixture of silliness and sweetness, the series simply works on every level. Like other great Canadian comedies like Schitt’s Creek or Kim’s Convenience, North is heartfelt, honest and very, very funny.
But, there’s simply something special about North of North.
North of North. Anna Lambe as Siaja in episode 204 of North of North. Cr. Courtesy of CBC/APTN/Netflix © 2026
Leading the charge is the remarkable Anna Lambe, who shows tremendous dramatic sensibilities yet never loses her sense of humour. As Siaja, Lambe brings the character to life with authenticity and grace. She’s not perfect but she is earnest, seeking to support others while evolving herself. Having ‘blown up’ her life in the first season, she’s now attempting to ‘level up’. Through rebuilding her relationship with her mother and supporting her community, Saija is a young woman who remains determined to contribute to the lives of others. On that level, there’s something relatable about these characters that transcends culture. After all, everyone can understand the challenges of growing up and learning how to take responsibility for ourselves in adulthood.
At the same time, one thing that North continues to do extremely well is to celebrate culture for its own sake. There’s an Inuk pride within this series that permeates every episode. Without being ‘preachy’, the spirit of joy woven through the series honours everything about Indigenous culture. Whether it’s their artistic nature or their challenges working within a toxic system, North of North never wavers in its ability to explore what makes life north of the arctic circle unique.
North of North. Anna Lambe as Siaja in episode 201 of North of North. Cr. Jasper Savage/CBC/APTN/Netflix © 2026
Perhaps the best example of this comes in the Season 2 premiere as Saija is tasked with building interests for tourists. While visitors seem focused on stuffed animals and trinkets that remind them of their vacation, her greatest concern remains that they gain a glimpse of what it truly means to be Inuk. In the end, while her event may have mixed results, the community rejoices. However, it’s not because the evening could increase tourist revenue.
Instead, it’s because they feel seen.
That power of community comes across onscreen. While the series is always filled by humour, it’s never the result of stereotypes or negative portrayals. Rather, the humour stems from the people and their interactions with one another. Everyone here is a little eccentric but they are also beloved by those around them. This is a close-knit group who face similar struggles and have come together in support of one another. (It’s also worth noting that many of the cast are local performers as well.)
North of North. (L to R) Anna Lambe as Siaja, Jay Ryan as Alistair in episode 202 of North of North. Cr. Jasper Savage/CBC/APTN/Netflix © 2026
In this way, the series also recognizes that survival isn’t about braving the elements alone. Instead, it’s about that sense of unity in the face of adversity. (“Survival here isn’t about stepping over people. It’s about stepping up and working together,” we’re told.) They understand that they need one another in order to build something special amongst these harsh conditions. Yes, they bicker at times but there’s still a sense of support that buoys them all.
In the end, you just can’t help but fall in love with the community of Ice Cove. Led by incredible work from Lambe and Harper, North of North is delightfully funny yet never ceases to be earnest in its ambition either. Though the community may be remote, it remains a series that’s well worth visiting.
North of North S2 airs on CBC, APTN and CBC Gem on Friday, September 4th, 2026.
