Latest news with #StaceyAglokMacDonald
CBC
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
'We made it for Inuit': North of North creators thrilled to start work on new season
Series filmed in Iqaluit hit Netflix's top 10 in 27 countries, and is renewed for a 2nd season Image | North of North screening Caption: People pack the Astro Theatre in Iqaluit in December for the premiere of North of North. The comedy series, set in the fictional hamlet of Ice Cove, was filmed in Iqaluit. (Juanita Taylor/CBC) Over eight episodes, the fictional hamlet of Ice Cove, Nunavut, brought audiences humour, culture and community — and there's more on the way, as Arctic comedy North of North is renewed for a second season. The show made Netflix's top 10 in 27 countries, but its creators say that for them, the northern audience is the one that matters. "We made it for a global audience, but we made it for Inuit," said co-creator Stacey Aglok MacDonald. "We want Inuit and our fellow Inuit in our communities to feel seen and to feel like we did a good job and that we did right by our community. And just to see the outpouring of love and support, not just in Iqaluit but across all of Inuit Nunangat, it's been really like, thank goodness." APTN, Netflix and CBC renewed the series on April 29 and co-creators Alethea Arnaquq-Baril and Aglok MacDonald say they're thrilled to be back with their characters. "We love Siaja, we love Neevee, we love Kuuk, and just to be able to spend time with them again in dreaming up what comes next for each of them, it's joyful and emotional," Aglok MacDonald said. The first season was filmed in Iqaluit and Mayor Solomon Awa says the show is good for the city too. On top of the economic benefits from having the cast and crew in town for production, the series gives viewers a taste of the Arctic's beauty. "People who are talking about, 'oh, I want to go to Iqaluit.' [They see it] and they say, 'oh, this is Iqaluit, wow.'" Awa himself appears in North of North as the character Lazarus. He said he's enjoyed being a part of the series and especially enjoyed the role Lazarus has played in guiding main character Siaja. "A lot of people told me, 'I saw you on the TV.' They also mentioned, 'I like what you said. It touched me.'" Aglok MacDonald and Arnaquq-Baril say they've begun writing the next season but it's still too early to know when they might start filming or when season two will be released. Arnaquq-Baril says she hopes to see lots of Inuit, especially more men, coming out to audition for the second season and to join them, and audiences, back in Ice Cove.
West Australian
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Insight into Inuk life through a new comedy series by locals
Filmed almost entirely in Iqaluit, Canada's northernmost city and the capital of Nunavut, the Netflix comedy series North Of North was created by Nunavut Inuits Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril. To me, it's an extraordinary series. We see remote Inuit live through Inuit eyes, as an optimistic young woman sets about reinventing herself in her little Arctic hometown (where people know each other's business). She gets out form under her domineering husband, a town hero, finds a job and states her independence. Albeit with dry humour. The 2025 series has eight episodes, with hopefully a second series to follow — as it's fresh and unusual, and takes the rest of us into daily life in Nunavut's ice. There's some echo of the humour of Parks And Recreation, but mostly for me the series reveals contemporary Inuit culture and life, the stresses of remote living in a dramatic climate, and the limitations that young people face in such small communities. Carrying the plot is 26-year-old Siaja (played by Anna Lambe, who spent much of her childhood in Iqaluit), a modern Inuk woman living in the town of Ice Cove — which immediately reminds me of the real town of Arctic Cove, in the accompanying story. While the majority of North Of North was filmed in Iqaluit, which is on Baffin Island, some scenes were shot in Ontario. Filming began in March 2024, and ended in mid-June the same year. So, this is a very fresh series. There are 45 Canadian cast members and around 500 took part as background actors (including the mayor of Iqaluit). There were more than 300 Canadian crew members. There's the snow and ice, Ski-Doos and dogs — and beautiful locations, jewellery and fashion. Many costumes are from talented Inuit designers, including Victoria Kakuktinniq (of Victoria's Arctic Fashion), Winifred Nungak, Lavinia Van Heuvelen, Augatnaaq Eccles and Nancy Mike. And there's lots of local music, including contemporary Inuit style throat singing by PIQSIQ, which is duo Tiffany Ayalik and Inuksuk Mackay.
Arab News
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Review: Netflix's ‘North of North' offers a fresh and authentic look at Inuit life
Netflix's new 'North of North' series offers a fresh and authentic look at Inuit life, blending humor with emotional depth and cultural richness. It is Netflix's first original Canadian series, co-commissioned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in association with the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. Set in the fictional Arctic town of Ice Cove, Nunavut, the series follows Siaja, a 26-year-old Inuk woman who publicly steps away from her marriage to a clueless husband, choosing to carve out a new space within her community and finding her own path while navigating the complexities of personal reinvention and staying rooted at home. While some of the slapstick comedy feels clumsy and redundant, it adds a sense of familiarity that ties together the everyday dynamics of life in a small community. The 'we don't need white saviors' theme is both timely and valid, though it leans on a somewhat cliche delivery. However, the series makes up for this with rich cultural details — indigenous hand tattoos, handmade earrings and authentic Inuit clothing. The elders speaking in their native tongue as part of everyday life, and Siaja's responses in English, reflect the reality of balancing multiple identities and languages. Written by Inuit writers Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, 'North of North' presents an essential narrative told from an indigenous perspective. Their voices bring nuance and authenticity, ensuring that the series accurately represents the complexities of Inuit life. Siaja's relationship with her young daughter, who is also discovering the world, as well as the adults in her life adds emotional richness to the series. Anna Lambe's portrayal of Siaja captures the character's vulnerability and resilience, making her journey relatable. You feel you could be her friend. Overall, 'North of North' is a fun series that balances humor with heartfelt moments. While some elements may feel predictable, it seemingly succeeds in authentically portraying Inuit culture, according to early feedback from the indigenous community. The show cleverly explores themes of personal reinvention and community dynamics which are universal, while keeping the culture central to the unfolding story. It is grounded, relatable and necessary. Definitely binge-worthy. While the characters are constantly surrounding — and occasionally engulfed — by snow, its warmth is felt all around.
