I recently challenged my self-control by starting a Netflix series with the noble goal of not binge-watching it. Minutes into North of North, I found myself at the edge of my seat, jaw on the floor, with my original plans abandoned.
North of North is a breath of fresh air. The plot twists, witty dialogue, beautiful landscapes, and unique setting kept me hitting the “next episode” button. The complex characters provide equally as much depth to the show as humour and give viewers an authentic look into life in the Arctic through the eyes of an Inuit community. Even for those who have not grown up in a remote community, themes surrounding complex relationships, vulnerability, and letting go will resonate with all viewers.
Filming North of North was also a transformative experience for Ottawa-based actress Zorga Qaunaq. As a young girl growing up in Nunavut, Zorga experienced the joy of living in a close-knit community. In Iqaluit, everyone was a neighbour. Streets were safe and she felt at one with the beautiful, natural surroundings. Evenings after dinner, Zorga would find herself at her grandma’s house a short stroll away. North of North is full of similar interactions, which transported Zorga back to these beautiful moments in her childhood.
These moments laid the emotional foundation for Zorga’s acting journey in North of North. In the early 2000s, Zorga enjoyed publishing videos on YouTube and later began to use TikTok. Zorga was uncertain how much involvement she could have in North of North, but she knew she would do anything to sit at the table. When she landed her greatly anticipated audition, she felt connected to the same artistic version of herself that made YouTube videos and TikToks, and she successfully landed the role of Millie.
ABOVE: Bailey Poching as Colin and (right) Zorga Qaunaq as Millie in episode 108; Anna Lambe as Siaja, Braeden Clarke as Kuuk, Zorga Qaunaq in episode 104; Bailey Poching and Millie in episode 104. (Photos: Jasper Savage/Netflix © 2025)
Each time Millie was on screen, with her big personality and sense of humour, I knew I was in for a laugh. Although Zorga and Millie share artistic interests, Zorga enjoyed being pushed out of her comfort zone to play a very outgoing character. This challenged Zorga to explore new methods to portray a character different from herself, one of which even included learning how to flirt. Millie’s authentic spirit inspired Zorga, “To not give a hoot about what people think or say.” By the end, Zorga said, “I didn’t even feel like I was acting”.
One of Zorga’s favourite scenes is between a grandmother and granddaughter exploring the snow-covered mountain areas together, hunting and bonding. “You don’t see too much of that in mainstream media,” Zorga says. “It was nice to see a grandparent and grandchild bonding in that way, and it just warms my heart.” This is one of many instances where North of North connects viewers to the importance of relationships. One of the most powerful interactions occurs between a mother and daughter, where honesty and pain come to the surface and pave the way forward. For Zorga, this moment exemplifies the human experience of making mistakes and relentlessly trying to grow, an experience relatable to all viewers.
When it comes to authentic cultural representation, North of North gets it right. According to Zorga, “As someone from Nunavut, it felt appropriate to tell a story about us in our home territory.” This gave North of North a sense of authenticity, and offered the cast and crew a chance to incorporate 500 individuals from the local community and over 60 vendors from Nunavut and resulted in a $23M+ Gross Value Added impact. This exposed them to the various opportunities in the film industry and created. When representation is executed this way, the viewers can understand how, “the way a cinema Inuk cinematographer might see something might be different than many other people, and bringing their perspective to that is important.”
ABOVE: (L to R) Zorga Qaunaq as Millie, Bailey Poching as Colin, Anna Lambe as Siaja in episode 106. (Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2025)
Another standout aspect of North of North is the on-location filming, which provides context to the curiosities many Canadians have about the North. ‘Many people haven’t seen us be modern. They wonder where and how we live. In the show, you get to see that the houses look like regular houses”. In contrast to the white landscape, the bright clothes of the characters create a vibrancy that matches the sense of humour and uplifting tone of the show. This contrast educates viewers on how Inuit clothing is much more than just fur coats, but part of a fruitful fashion and arts industry.
In addition to pursuing her passion for acting, Zorga will continue to focus on Inuktitut language education and her tattoo business. To young Inuit actors everywhere, Zorga says, “Take every opportunity that’s given to you, and the opportunities are everywhere. And even if there are no opportunities, you make them. Just go do it. Don’t be afraid to try something or do something. There is no failing. There’s just learning. So just keep going. Keep doing what you love.”
Zorga’s story and North of North remind viewers of the importance of storytelling rooted in culture and authenticity, and is a must-watch for those in search of a heartfelt story and a good laugh.
North of North is streaming now on Netflix, CBC Gem and APTN Lumi — don’t miss it.
Header image: North of North. (L to R) Nutaaq Doreen Simmonds as Elisapee, Mary Lynn Rajskub as Helen, Zorga Qaunaq as Millie, Bailey Poching as Colin in episode 101 of North of North. (Photos: Jasper Savage/Netflix © 2025)
