Imagine constantly being seen as a walking stereotype, your entire culture reduced to outdated clichés. That's the reality Anna Lambe, a talented Inuk actor, is fighting to change. She's not just pursuing her own dreams; she's on a mission to redefine how Indigenous communities, particularly Inuit culture, are portrayed on screen. And she's doing it one groundbreaking project at a time.
At just 25, Anna Lambe is already making waves. Best known for her role in the Native-led Netflix comedy "North of North," filmed in her hometown of Iqaluit, Nunavut – Canada's northernmost city – Lambe is determined to challenge the tired, often inaccurate, narratives perpetuated by those who've never experienced Inuit life firsthand. Think endless snow, igloos, and a complete disconnect from the modern world. Lambe is here to tell you that those images are a far cry from the vibrant, thriving communities that actually exist.
But here's where it gets controversial... Lambe isn't just aiming for accurate representation; she's advocating for Indigenous autonomy in storytelling. She believes Indigenous filmmakers and actors should have the power to control their own narratives, free from the filter of non-Indigenous perspectives. Is this a fair demand, or does it risk creating echo chambers that limit exposure to diverse audiences?
This year thrust Lambe into the spotlight, making her a representative for her community and Inuit communities everywhere. That's a tremendous weight for any actor, especially one just starting out! How does she handle the pressure?
Lambe embraces the challenge, focusing on bringing authentic portrayals to the screen while showcasing the beauty and wisdom of Indigenous cultures. Let's delve into her insights from a recent interview, part of Teen Vogue's New Hollywood Class of 2025.
Teen Vogue: Looking back on this year, what's your proudest achievement?
Anna Lambe: "I'm just really proud that throughout the incredibly intense process of this year, in talking about 'North of North' and other projects, I've always done my best to center the actual community behind this work and the actual community it takes to create a show like this. I'm a big believer that all boats rise, and that we need to support one another to create the path. We need to widen the pathway versus just making it longer. I feel really proud that I can look back on this year and feel like I got to share my experiences as an Inuk and uplift my community in the public eye."
For Lambe, it's not just about individual success; it's about lifting up the entire community. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration and creating opportunities for others in the industry. It's a powerful message of solidarity and collective progress.
TV: How did 'North of North' push you as an actor?
AL: "It was my first time doing comedy, which was a massive challenge for me. I consider myself a deeply unfunny person. I'm not the person in the center of the room who wants to perform and make people laugh; I'm very quiet and reserved. But [my character] Siaja is that person; she's bubbly and extroverted and kind of awkward. Pushing myself into the world of comedy terrified me — it literally kept me up at night.
During the first few weeks of filming, there were many times when I didn't know if I was the right person for this role. But with the momentum and support from the team, I started to recognize my capabilities as a comedic actor and began to understand the timing, pacing, and tone. 'North of North' has its own really specific tone; it doesn't go pure sitcom or clowny or dramedy. It's a mixture, while also being its own unique thing.
So I definitely learned to give myself some credit for my capabilities. Honestly, I've never felt very comfortable calling myself an actor; I always more so just felt like I acted. It can be so easy to second-guess yourself and feel like, I don't know if I know how to act. But after 'North of North,' I finally feel comfortable calling myself an actor."
Lambe's experience highlights the power of stepping outside your comfort zone. Facing her fears and embracing the challenge of comedy allowed her to grow both professionally and personally. It's a reminder that sometimes the things we fear the most can lead to the greatest discoveries.
TV: Why is it so vital that audiences see real Indigenous representation?
AL: "It's incredibly important to show not only that we're still here, but that we exist in such a broad range of ways. For a long time, people didn't think Indigenous people existed or thought we were all the same. We're creating such specific stories about our unique cultures and showing that, even though our communities are similar to non-Indigenous communities, we do have specific ways of living.
As Indigenous film and television continue to grow, we have more narrative autonomy than ever before. We have more control over how our stories are being told. Our representation within media is becoming more and more accurate. Behind the camera, so many of our productions are making a massive effort to bring in Indigenous crew and open up doors of opportunity to be part of this industry.
I'm really excited to see what Indigenous film and television looks like five, 10 years from now, because we're starting to take up space — and I want to keep taking up so, so much space."
And this is the part most people miss... It's not just about seeing Indigenous faces on screen; it's about control and opportunity. Lambe emphasizes the importance of Indigenous people being involved in all aspects of filmmaking, from writing and directing to production and post-production. This ensures that stories are told authentically and that Indigenous voices are amplified.
TV: What do you want people to understand about Inuit life?
AL: "Many people see Inuit and people of the North as this caricature — these tiny groups of Eskimos living in igloos on a frozen landscape with nothing around them for hundreds of miles. It's so important to show that we're bold, thriving communities. We're tired of being othered, forgotten, or ignored.
There's always been this line connecting Inuit to the rest of the world, so we've stayed up-to-date with mainstream culture and world happenings. It's just never been reciprocated. Now with 'North of North' and similar shows, we're showing that we're very much here.
We feel the same things you do and have similar experiences to you. We all have relationship issues; we all have family issues. We all are just trying to figure out who we are and who we want to be. Yes, we might look a little different than you, we might live slightly differently than you do, but we very much understand you.
And it's important that you understand us as well. We have so much knowledge to share, especially in a time of climate catastrophe, which has been a much faster process for us in the Arctic. Our worldview is so deeply embedded in understanding the connection between humans, animals, the land, and the water. Knowing that we exist and that we are like you is important, but so is understanding that our special knowledge can really inform the way we move forward in the world."
Lambe eloquently dismantles the harmful stereotypes surrounding Inuit life. She emphasizes their connection to the modern world, their shared human experiences, and the invaluable wisdom they possess, particularly regarding environmental stewardship. In a world grappling with climate change, listening to Indigenous perspectives is more crucial than ever.
TV: What's up next for you?
AL: "In 2026, we'll be filming season two of 'North of North,' which I'm so unbelievably excited about. I got to shoot a feature film called 'Heart of the Beast' [with Brad Pitt] in New Zealand back in May, which will hopefully come out in 2026.
Then, this summer, I shot a psychological thriller called 'In the Heart of the South' that will hopefully be ready to hit the festival circuit next year. It's a dark, bold conversation about identity and community that we haven't really gotten to have with Indigenous film yet.
Talking about Indigenous identity often requires a lot of explaining for non-Indigenous audiences who don't necessarily understand how difficult it is to be a racialized person in this world, and so much of a script gets set aside for that. This film allows the audience to do some thinking and doesn't hold their hand. I really hope it helps shift things in Indigenous film and television so we don't always feel like we have to over-explain everything to non-Indigenous people.
I've also been working through a lot of feelings about working in Indigenous film and television, in terms of how the industry treats me and how the public perceives me; I get quite frustrated when people see me as an Indigenous person first and as Anna second. It's a systemic issue that I think a lot of Indigenous people experience. Yes, I'm a proud member of an Inuit community, but I would also love to get to be like any other non-Indigenous actor and not be pinned to a specific niche. Because we don't only have value in that niche; we have value to the industry as a whole.
We're moving toward this massive turning point with representation in film and television, and it's incredibly exciting and beautiful to be part of that change. But I'm also so excited for the generation that won't feel the pressure of having to represent an entire people in an industry — because that's pretty intense."
Lambe's upcoming projects promise to further push boundaries and challenge conventional narratives. She's not afraid to tackle complex themes of identity, community, and the challenges of being an Indigenous actor in a predominantly non-Indigenous industry. Her desire to be seen as an individual, rather than solely as a representative of her culture, is a sentiment that resonates with many.
Anna Lambe's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of authentic representation, Indigenous autonomy, and the need to move beyond stereotypes. What are your thoughts on the responsibility of actors from marginalized communities to represent their entire culture? Is it fair to expect them to carry that burden? And how can the entertainment industry create a more equitable and inclusive environment for Indigenous talent?
