Netflix’s 8-Episode Hidden Gem Is the Perfect Binge Before Its Season 2 Return

Published Aug 25, 2026, 6:46 PM EDT Kendall Myers is a Senior Author with Collider. As part of the TV and Movies Features team, she writes about some of the most popular releases before, during, and after they premiere. In three years, she has written over 900 articles with topics ranging from classic sitcoms to fantasy epics. With streaming, it often feels like there is too much to watch. The best shows throughout TV history are readily available, along with your current favorites. With all those options, it makes sense that untested series can fall by the wayside. But if you're not careful, you will miss a great show at your fingertips. That was certainly the case when Netflix's North of North arrived globally in 2025. Thankfully, anyone who missed the Canadian comedy the first time around now has the perfect reason to catch up, because North of North is returning for Season 2. Starring Anna Lambe alongside a talented supporting cast that includes Maika Harper, Keira Cooper, Jay Ryan, and Braeden Clarke, North of North touches on serious subjects while maintaining a comedic tone that everyone can enjoy. The first season has only eight half-hour episodes, making this an especially easy show to catch up on before Season 2 premieres on APTN+ in Canada on September 1, followed by CBC Gem, CBC TV, and APTN TV on September 8. Netflix viewers won't be left out for long, either, as Season 2 is confirmed to arrive globally on the streamer later this fall. Set in the small Arctic town of Ice Cove, which has a tight-knit community, North of North manages to showcase something unique. With just eight episodes, the series tells a compelling, comedic story full of complex and relatable characters. And the series has only gained recognition since its debut, winning nine trophies at the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Comedy Series, Best Lead Performer for Lambe, and Best Supporting Performer for Harper. With Season 2 now right around the corner, there's never been a better time to discover Ice Cove. What Is 'North of North' About? Despite the icy landscape, North of North deals with a universal goal as a young Inuk woman, Siaja (Lambe), tries to build a fulfilling life for herself. But that is easier said than done. Her first step is breaking it off with her husband, Ting (Kelly William), the town's golden boy who believes their life to be perfect. After years together, Siaja's choice appears sudden, especially given the public nature of the event. With a seven-year-old daughter, no job, and a community that cannot understand what happened to her marriage, Siaja has to make her own way, relying on her independence, determination, and a little help from her mother, Neevee (Harper). She finds a job at the community center, working for Helen (Mary Lynn Rajskub), a difficult and often tone-deaf boss, who wants Siaja's help to get Ice Cove selected for a new research facility that would help bring more resources to the town. In addition to Siaja's newfound professional life, North of North features several romantic storylines as Siaja moves on from her ex, with admittedly limited options in the small town. Meanwhile, Ting struggles to accept Siaja's choice to end their marriage, hoping to reconcile. Ting and Siaja's split has the added complication of co-parenting their daughter, Bun (Cooper), which thrusts them together on several occasions. But Siaja isn't the only one whose life is changing as Neevee gets her own romance by reconnecting with a man from her past. Alistair (Ryan) returns to Ice Cove in connection with the potential research facility and still harbors feelings for Neevee despite decades apart. The collision of these storylines creates unexpected twists for the characters to further complicate their lives. 'North of North' Thrives in Creating Interesting and Flawed Characters Image via Netflix Part of the reason North of North is so compelling is the characters. Siaja is a 26-year-old woman in a relatable story as she rebuilds from blowing up her picture-perfect life. She may be slightly later than most as she tries to figure out what she really wants in an abrupt turn. Yet it's easy to feel sympathy for her as the series makes it clear that Ting never actually listened to her. What seemed like a perfect marriage to everyone else was anything but to Siaja. Despite this, Siaja is still a flawed character, and that is part of the charm. She struggles to stand up for herself until she takes control in impulsive moments of bravery that often have negative fallout. Luckily for North of North, the awkward situations Siaja tends to land herself in make for great TV. Neevee is a complex character as well. She is a caring mother to Siaja, though they often don't see eye to eye. Also, her love for Bun is constantly on display as she encourages her granddaughter and helps the little girl through her parents' separation. Yet, Neevee has her own struggles to work through that get in the way of her romantic storyline and her relationship with Siaja. With these two lovable yet flawed women leading the charge, North of North is full of complicated characters that keep them from straying into caricature territory. The dynamic between the mother and daughter is strong despite their disagreements. Siaja and Neevee are opposites in many ways. A single mother who has never told Siaja about her father, Neevee has a reputation in Ice Cove, while Siaja has followed every expectation placed on her until she finally lets go to live for herself. Despite their differences, Neevee and Siaja are always there for each other when problems arise, and not just because Siaja moves back in with her mother after ending things with Ting. Complicated but loving mother-daughter relationships have a long history of making compelling series, and Neevee and Siaja's dynamic creates a lot of potential heading into Season 2. 'North of North's Location Sets it Apart Image via Netflix North of North enjoys a classic TV setting of a small town, where everyone knows each other and gets too involved in other people's personal lives. This immediately becomes evident when the population of Ice Cove questions Siaja's choice to leave her marriage. But it also showcases a loving community as Siaja tries to reinvent Elder's Night at the community center, and the town comes together for several events. The small town is a staple of TV for a reason, and North of North uses it to its advantage. Yet the series still sets itself apart from other similar series by featuring the culture of the Inuit people. With references to the goddess Nuliajuk, a traditional game of walrus dick baseball, and many community celebrations, North of North is also steeped in culture and highlights a lifestyle rarely seen on TV. With two Inuit creators at the helm, the series takes care to portray the culture with accuracy. One of the series' creators, Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, told CBC News, "Everything in the show is from our lives, or our friends, or our family." Aglok MacDonald stressed that they used local Nunavut artists for all the traditional costumes and set pieces. With this unique and lovingly accurate look into this community, North of North offers a rare look at Inuk culture. Season 2 will continue that story as winter closes in on Ice Cove and Siaja attempts to turn the impulsive changes she made in Season 1 into the life she actually wants. North of North Season 2 will stream globally on Netflix later in Fall 2026. Season 1 is currently streaming on Netflix. Release Date January 7, 2025 Network CBC Television Creator(s) Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, Stacey Aglok MacDonald