interview | lilly krug

jumper. Helene Galwas
panty. Triumph
bangles. Casha

There’s something unmistakably magnetic about Lilly Krug. A rising star in both European cinema and Hollywood, Krug using acting as a way to both discover and redefine herself with every role. From the grounded intensity of dramatic thrillers to indie gems, Krug is carving a path marked by fearless curiosity and emotional depth. “I grew up surrounded by theater and the arts, so storytelling was always part of my world,” she tells Schön!. But despite this early immersion, the decision to pursue acting professionally wasn’t immediate. “I wanted to explore everything. I worked in cafés, studied coding, hiked Kilimanjaro… It wasn’t until I acted in a short film that something truly clicked.”

Whether playing a defiant firebrand in ‘April X,’ a role requiring her to slip in and out of ten different personas, or preparing for a role by crafting detailed character “blueprints” in her notebook, Krug’s approach to acting is anything but casual. “Acting is a constant lesson in empathy,” she reflects. “It stretches my perspective and deepens my emotional vocabulary.” Even off-screen, her passions run deep. Currently studying psychology in Los Angeles, Krug finds that her academic pursuits bleed naturally into her craft. “When I prepare for a role, I essentially take the character apart — to understand their motivations, wounds, desires, fears… Psychology provides a powerful framework for exploring all of that more deeply.”

Schön! sits down with Lilly Krug to learn about her acting methods, studying psychology, and more.

hoodie. Giulia & Romeo
stockings. Falke
opposite
trench coat. Numéro 202020
bra. Chantelle
panty. Triumph
high heels. Jimmy Choo
earrings. Chaingang

What originally sparked your passion for acting, and who were your biggest influences growing up?

I grew up surrounded by theatre and the arts, so storytelling was always part of my world. It’s hard to pinpoint a single moment that sparked my passion because in many ways, it’s something I’ve been living and breathing my entire life. But for a long time, I didn’t know I wanted to make it my career.

Growing up, I had so many different interests — I wanted to explore everything. I worked in cafés, studied coding, hiked Kilimanjaro, and even considered a path in fitness. It wasn’t until I acted in a short film that something truly clicked. I remember wishing the shoot days would never end. There was this thrilling, all-encompassing feeling on set that I hadn’t experienced anywhere else.

I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to figure everything out early in life. But sometimes, you have to try a lot of things to land where you’re meant to be. For me, that journey led to acting — and it’s a path that makes me feel like a student every day. I never stop learning or expanding. And that, to me, is the most exciting part.

You’ve worked across different genres, from thrillers to dramas. Do you have a favourite genre to act in, or do you enjoy the challenge of variety?

I feel incredibly lucky to have explored such a range of genres so early in my career. It’s easy to get typecast at the beginning, so having the chance to jump between styles and tones has been both rare and rewarding. Each project comes with its own unique set of challenges — whether it’s mastering an accent, embodying vastly different characters back-to-back, or navigating the emotional complexity of filming in a new country, surrounded by people I’ve just met.

What excites me most is how each role becomes an opportunity to expand my understanding of the world and myself. Acting is a constant lesson in empathy — it stretches my perspective and deepens my emotional vocabulary. That, to me, is the greatest gift of this work.

Right now, I’m especially drawn to the idea of doing a historical or otherworldly piece — something that invites both escapism and transformation.

How do you typically prepare for a role? Do you have a specific process or technique you rely on?

I’ve found that there’s never just one way to approach a character — each role requires something a little different. But my process usually begins with reading the script all the way through to understand the world, tone, and structure of the project. On the second read, I dive deeper — I pull out my notebook and start mapping things out: character relationships, arcs, emotional motives, setting, and any key details that shape the environment or dynamics.

When I focus on my character, I look closely at what she does, what she says, and — just as importantly — what others say about her. That’s usually when intuitive details begin to emerge: her fears, desires, insecurities, longings — things that aren’t always written but live between the lines. I put all of this into a personal breakdown — my “blueprint” — which I often return to while on set.

From there, my preparation becomes more physical and specific to the role: her posture, voice, rhythm, and how she carries herself in the world. I’m also really lucky to have found a class and a group of fellow actors where I can safely experiment and explore. That environment helps me internalize the character on a subconscious level, so that when the camera rolls, she’s already living inside me.

trench coat. Numéro 202020
bra. Chantelle
panty. Triumph
earrings. Chaingang
opposite
blazer. Numéro 202020
boots. Milanoo
earrings. Chaingang

You’ve portrayed a wide range of emotionally intense characters. Is there a particular role that challenged you the most so far, and why?

One of the most challenging roles I’ve taken on was for a project called ‘April X’, which hasn’t been released yet. I found out I’d gotten the role just a week and a half before flying to Romania for a three-month shoot, so everything happened very fast. April is a firecracker — unapologetically opinionated, emotionally unpredictable, and fiercely rebellious. She’s one of those rare characters who’s bursting with life, but also forced to confront some of life’s harshest truths.

What made it especially challenging was that I didn’t just play April— I had to embody around ten different personas within the same film. It required an enormous amount of emotional agility, stamina, and focus. And personally, it came at a time in my life when I was going through a lot myself. In many ways, the role held up a mirror, forcing me to ask questions I hadn’t fully confronted yet. It pushed me not only as an actor but as a person, and that’s why it remains one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever done.

You’ve already worked with some incredible actors. Is there a dream co-star or director you’d love to collaborate with in the future?

Where do I even begin? I actually have a folder on my laptop filled with people I’d love to work with — it’s my little source of inspiration. Some of the directors at the top of my list are Paul Thomas Anderson, Noah Baumbach, Denis Villeneuve, Luca Guadagnino, Nicolas Winding Refn, Alex Schaad, Edward Berger, Tim Fehlbaum, and Christian Schwochow… and that’s just scratching the surface.

Each of them brings such a distinct voice and vision to their work. I’m drawn to directors who create immersive worlds, who explore human complexity with nuance and boldness. Just imagining what I could learn from them gives me goosebumps.

When approaching a new character, do you draw from personal experiences, or do you prefer to fully immerse yourself in research and external inspiration?

I’ve come to realize that once you tap into a kind of universal consciousness, you can truly feel and embody experiences you haven’t personally lived through. It’s something I’m still learning, but it’s been completely mind-opening. When you let go of your self-protective mechanisms — when you allow yourself to fully imagine and feel what a situation would be like—it’s incredible how real it becomes.

At the same time, I’ve had to get to know myself deeply to recognize what I need to let go of when stepping into a role. Otherwise, I’d just be playing versions of myself over and over again. So, my process is about finding that space between— connecting emotionally to a hypothetical truth and allowing whatever arises in that unknown place to lead me. That’s where the magic starts to happen.

You’ve worked alongside legendary actors like Anthony Hopkins and Michael Shannon — what’s the most memorable piece of advice or experience you’ve gained from them?

What’s been most beautiful is that I’ve learned something from every artist I’ve had the chance to work with. Acting is such a personal and often disarming process, and each actor has their own path to truth. Watching them work has been a masterclass in presence and vulnerability.

The most memorable piece of advice I’ve received is about cultivating the courage to surrender. To trust the moment enough to let it surprise you. To stop trying to control or predict what the character should do — and instead, allow the character to move through you. That kind of surrender invites something deeper, something real.

body. Essential Antwerp
heels. Jimmy Choo
earrings. Just Win
stockings. Falke
opposite
bra. Triumph
collar. Numéro202020
bangle. Casha

As one of Germany’s rising stars in Hollywood, how do you balance working internationally while staying connected to your roots?

I feel incredibly connected to Germany, most of my family is still there, and that grounding presence means everything to me. I feel so lucky to be gathering these extraordinary new experiences on set, while also having such a strong foundation of love and connection in both Germany and the U.S.

Acting has really expanded my worldview. Even when I find myself immersed in unfamiliar cultures for weeks or months at a time, I’ve noticed something surprising: the more I step into the unknown, the more I rediscover who I am and what truly matters to me. In a way, each new place brings me closer to my roots, not further away. It deepens my connection to where I come from and to myself.

You’re studying psychology in Los Angeles. Do you see yourself incorporating that knowledge into your acting, or is it something you’d like to explore outside of film?

I think it’s impossible not to incorporate psychology into acting. When I prepare for a role, I essentially take the character apart to understand their motivations, wounds, desires, fears, and inner logic. Psychology provides a powerful framework for exploring all of that more deeply.

But it goes even further. Studying psychology has also helped me understand myself in new ways, which in turn allows me to see what aspects of Lilly I need to shed or amplify for a particular role. That kind of self-awareness becomes essential when you’re constantly stepping into different lives.

As for where it might take me beyond acting, I’m not entirely sure yet, but I’m endlessly fascinated by it. Honestly, I think everyone should study at least a little psychology at some point. It would probably make day-to-day life a lot more harmonious… and a bit more interesting too!

Looking ahead, is there a dream role, director, or genre you’re hoping to explore next in your career?

One thing I haven’t had the chance to do yet is a period or science fiction film. Stepping into a completely different time, inhabiting a world so unlike our own, would be an incredible challenge and a dream come true. I’d love to explore the nuances of character through the lens of a different era, with all the posture, language, and cultural shifts that come with it.

I’m also a very physically active person, so doing an action film is high on my list. The idea of combining movement and physical intensity with emotional storytelling really excites me. That said, I truly feel like I’m just at the beginning of my journey. There are so many stories, characters, and genres I’m still eager to dive into and I’m open to being surprised along the way.

blazer. Numéro 202020
earrings. Chaingang

“Club der Dinosaurier” will start on June 6 on ZDF Mediathek and on June 15 at ZDF neo.

photography. Thomas von Aagh
fashion. Nicole Hannay
model. Lilly Krug @ Need Agency Berlin (PR) + BWM communications (Commercial)
hair + make up. Evangelos Tzimikas @ Fame Agency using Hourglass, Augustinus Bader + Moroccain Oil
studio. Stag Studio Munich

available at amazon.

download your ebook.

popular on Schön!

interview | lovie simone

dress. Prabal Gurung
shoes. Marc Fisher
earrings. Alexis Bittar
ear cuffs. Elena Matallana
bangles. Dinosaur Designs
cuff. AGMES
rings. MISHO
stockings. Emilio Cavallini
opposite
jacket. Selezza
earrings. Alexis Bittar
ear cuff. Elena Matallana

For Lovie Simone, acting has never been just a career choice. From the moment she stepped in front of the camera, the young actress carried with her an unshakable sense of purpose. “I’ve always known this is what was for me,” she says. “This craft is something that I have chosen for me in every version of myself in this lifetime.” That kind of self-possession isn’t learned, it’s lived. Simone, raised in a creative, affirming household, has been living it from the start.

It’s this clarity of vision and deep emotional intelligence that makes her portrayal of Keisha in ‘Forever’, the bold, fresh reimagining of Judy Blume’s coming-of-age story. Whether navigating the complexities of young love, strained family dynamics, or the political pulse of 2018 Los Angeles, Simone approaches each scene with striking honesty and depth. “I’ve always been attracted to characters who display human complexity,” she explains. “They make the unpopular choices at times.”

In ‘Forever’, Simone not only steps into a lead role — she steps into a moment. Working under powerhouses like Mara Brock Akil and Regina King, she anchors a series that reframes Black teenage girlhood with grace, grit, and cultural authenticity. And for Simone, this role is not just a personal milestone — it’s a reflection of the very stories she’s always believed deserve the spotlight.

Schön! chats with Lovie Simone about working on ‘Forever,’ the acting idols she’s dying to work with, and more.

dress. Tara Babylon
earring. Adeam
cuff. AGMES
opposite
dress. Tara Babylon
earring. Adeam
cuff. AGMES

You began acting at a young age — what was the moment or experience that made you realize this was your calling?

I’ve always known this is what was for me! This craft is something that I have chosen for myself in every version of myself in this lifetime.

Growing up in a creative family, how did your environment shape your artistic ambitions and confidence as a young performer?

I grew up with a lot of reassurance about where I was headed with my dreams. My entire family is so uplifting, and therefore I am with myself. Everything is a chance to learn and grow.

Were there any particular performances, films, or actors that deeply inspired you as a child and still influence you today?

Anything Denzel. Anything Angela Bassett. Anything Angelina Jolie.

top. Barabara Bui @ CLOAK WARDROBE
skirt. Bach Mai
earrings, necklace, bangles + cuff. Alexis Bittar
rings. GRISÉ NYC
opposite
top. Barabara Bui @ CLOAK WARDROBE
skirt. Bach Mai
earrings, necklace, bangles + cuff. Alexis Bittar
rings. GRISÉ NYC

Your breakout role in Greenleaf introduced you to many audiences — how did that experience prepare you for the emotional depth required in a role like Keisha in ‘Forever’.

I’ve always been attracted to characters who display human complexity. They make the unpopular choices at times. Zora Greenleaf and Keisha are definitely those young women.

Keisha is portrayed as a confident and ambitious young woman. How did you approach embodying her strength while also conveying her vulnerabilities, especially during pivotal moments like the prom night decision?

I tried to remain honest to playing someone who has deep desires with external happenings bringing up these internal and external conflicts. So I would say staying aware of the desires that Keisha has.

The series is set in 2018 Los Angeles, amidst significant social movements. How did this backdrop influence your portrayal of Keisha, and what nuances did you incorporate to reflect the era’s challenges?

This time period was when everything felt like it was coming to a head politically and socially! But there was a freedom in how Keisha moved through the world pre-pandemic! We, the audience, get to experience this life with her and have that nostalgic feeling with us.

bodysuit. Norma Kamali
skirt. Majorelle
earrings. MISHO
bangles. Alexis Bittar
rings. GRISÉ NYC
opposite
bodysuit. Norma Kamali
skirt. Majorelle
shoes. AGL Shoes
earrings. MISHO
bangles. Alexis Bittar
rings. GRISÉ NYC

Keisha’s relationship with her family, particularly her mother Shelly, is complex. Can you delve into how these familial dynamics shaped Keisha’s decisions and your interpretation of her character?

The closeness as well as the craving for her mother’s respect as an adult weighed on Keisha heavily. There was always something proving to be done in her eyes, which makes decision making look a little different as an individual.

The series explores the intricacies of first love. How did you and Michael Cooper Jr. cultivate the on-screen chemistry between Keisha and Justin, and what discussions did you have to ensure authenticity in their relationship?

Michael and I have had so many conversations leading up to filming about comfort levels as well as excitement about the project! That excitement definitely translated into our interactions on set. BUT! We didn’t talk much when first filming to keep a sense of mystery and anxiety [laughs]. We were familiar with one another while wanting to connect and I believe Justin and Keisha delivered!

Keisha and Justin’s decision to part ways is both heartfelt and heartbreaking. What insights did you gain about young love and personal growth through this narrative arc?

I was reassured that although young love may not be the wisest, there’s a special kind of wisdom one gains from it.

Given the show’s modern take on Judy Blume’s novel, how do you think ‘Forever’ addresses contemporary issues of teenage sexuality and autonomy compared to the original work?

It highlights the spaces in which teenagers take up space in today’s world. In the outside world, in schools and on social media. It addresses consent in a natural way that would come up for an awkward teen. I appreciate how tasteful it is!

Working under the direction of Mara Brock Akil and Regina King must have been impactful. Can you share specific moments or guidance from them that influenced your performance?

I was influenced by these two amazing women every day. I like to say that I’m observant, and just by watching, one can learn so much! They move through the industry with such grace and happiness as well as a deep appreciation for the story! It gets no better than this, honestly.

top. Barabara Bui @ CLOAK WARDROBE
skirt. Bach Mai
shoes. Marc Fisher
earrings, necklace, bangles + cuff. Alexis Bittar
rings. GRISÉ NYC
opposite
full Look. PROCODE DRESS
earrings. MISHO
bangles. Dinosaur Designs
rings + ear cuffs. Elena Matallana

Music plays a significant role in setting the show’s tone. Were there particular songs or musical themes that resonated with you and helped you connect deeper with Keisha’s journey?

I made a Keisha playlist while prepping for ‘Forever’! One song that played a lot was “While We’re Young” by Jhene Aiko!

The series has been praised for its authentic portrayal of Black teenage experiences. How did the production team ensure cultural authenticity, and what role did you play in that process?

Production stayed true to the black LA life by hiring people who live or love LA, which doesn’t get any better for storytelling. Those that can really lend a true perspective. And for those who are not from LA, the majority of the cast and crew were black! It was like being with family, working on our story! Our collective as well as separate upbringings.

As someone who has transitioned from supporting roles to leading a series, how has this experience shaped your perspective on storytelling and representation in the industry?

It’s confirmed everything I’ve always believed. There is a universal truth as well as an appreciation for stories that involve people who move through the world that look like me.

Reflecting on your journey with ‘Forever’, what message or feeling do you hope viewers take away from Keisha’s story?

I hope they take away understanding. Keisha is complex and lovable, making her like all of us!

dress. Prabal Gurung
earrings. Alexis Bittar
ear cuffs. Elena Matallana
bangles. Dinosaur Designs
cuff. AGMES
rings. MISHO
opposite
jacket. Selezza
top. Essential Antwerp
trousers. 3.1 Phillip Lim
earrings. Alexis Bittar
ear cuff. Elena Matallana
necklace. AGMES

‘Forever’ is out now.

photography + creative direction. Jess Brohier
fashion. Anthony Pedraza
talent. Lovie Simone
hair. Christina Rendall
make up. Tara Lauren @ Epiphany Agency Inc.
set design. Devanté Melton
movement direction. Orlov Yo
lighting tech. James Gerrish
production. ALT-HOUSE
assistants. Yemi + Mariame Conte

available at amazon.

download your ebook.

popular on Schön!

Schön! 48 | zoë bleu in valentino

full look. Valentino

Swept through time on the current of music, Zoë Bleu finds reflections of herself in the characters she embodies — gathering fragments of identity, drifting from dreams into a life steeped in enchantment. We find her strutting the streets while wearing Valentino when we speak to her for her digital cover story for Schön! 48, where she opens up about her character, Elisabeta, her 15th-century role in the upcoming film ‘Dracula: A Love Tale’. “She knows what she wants. She gets what she wants when she wants it,” Sidel says. She’s a princess, but she acts like a queen. She’s got a regal, kind of bitchy presence,” she jests. “The clothes really bring the role to life. I have a beautiful velvet dress encrusted with pearls, and it makes the bosom look amazing. Everything is covered, but it’s done in such a way that you can see that she’s sensual.”

Inspired in part by Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 interpretation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, French director Luc Besson’s Dracula: A Love Tale reimagines the legend through the lens of eternal love and reincarnation. “The very classical, historical way of thinking about ‘Dracula’ is ‘I’m going to suck your blood,’ and ‘You are mine,’ but that’s not this Dracula. It’s really something else; it’s a love story, not a horror film. It’s like ‘Romeo and Juliet’,” Sidel explains.

In Besson’s telling, both Elisabeta and Mina—the dual characters portrayed by Sidel—share an everlasting connection with Dracula, played by Caleb Landry Jones. This bond transcends time and identity. Sidel calls it “soul love.” To cultivate this depth of emotion on screen, Sidel and Landry Jones engaged in Butoh, a distinct form of avant-garde dance theatre marked by deliberate, expressive motion and inward emotional focus. “It was interesting to try and create a friendship through dance and music,” Sidel says. This nonverbal approach offered a profound avenue for connection, grounded in emotion and presence.

Another technique they used to sync emotionally was simultaneous music listening. This shared experience became particularly important for anchoring pivotal scenes. A recurring lullaby, for example, acts as a sonic thread linking Elisabeta with Mina — bridging centuries through melody. “My music project L’ESPIRAL was heavily impacted,” she continues. “I’ve made four of those [poems] into songs that I’m going to record this summer.”

Sidel sees a rhythmic logic in existence itself: “Everything is music, isn’t it? All of existence has a vibrational frequency; that’s music. Love is a frequency; it’s music. Like star-crossed lovers, a world begins between these two souls, these two people fall in love. And there is a music to it.”

jacket. CHANEL
top + skirt. Yohji Yamamoto
earrings. Swarovski
opposite
dress. Rokh
shirt. Les Fleurs Studio
shoes. Roberto Cavalli

coat. Mossi
dress + bra. Dolce & Gabbana
shoes. Dior
opposite
jacket. Emporio Armani
dress. Louis Vuitton
boots. Christian Louboutin

jacket. CHANEL
top + skirt. Yohji Yamamoto
shoes. Christian Louboutin
earrings. Swarovski

Get your print copy of Schön! 48 at Amazon Globally, Amazon Germany, Amazon France, Amazon Italy, Amazon Spain, Amazon Netherlands, Amazon Poland, Amazon Belgium, Amazon Sweden and the UK Schön! store.

Download your favourite cover now at the Schön! store.

This Schön! 48 digital cover story is produced by

photography. Annabelle Foucher
fashion. Noémie Fourmeau
talent. Zoë Bleu in Valentino
casting. Alabama Blonde @ Strike the Blonde Casting
hair. Alexis Mercier
make up. Aurelie Dehecq
fashion assistant. Fatima Mouici
words. Mike Furey

available at amazon.

download your ebook.

popular on Schön!

interview | anna lambe

jacket. Falguni Shane Peacock
ear cuff. Gabriella Artigas
ring. De Liguoro

A Northern Star on the rise, ‘North of North’ actress Anna Lambe shines bright. When we think of the Arctic North, we think of vast, sweeping landscapes, bitter temperatures, nothingness for miles, mounds of snow, and dancing aurora borealis in the night sky. There are so few television shows that explore the Inuit communities that live there. Especially with a comedic spin and on a global scale, such as ‘North of North’, Anna Lambe is thrust right into the mainstream.

Lambe stars as Siaja, an Inuk woman who finds herself wanting more. Her story is a relatable one to many women; parentified from a young age, married to her high school sweetheart, and had a kid along the way. But Siaja is fed up, on a mission to become a modern Inuk woman, to stand on her own two feet and figure life out. Speaking with us about the character, Lambe’s eyes light up. She adores that Siaja is messy and embraces that messiness; it’s all part of her charm. She isn’t afraid to make mistakes and learns to adapt from the ones she does make.

While the show does deal with heavy topics, touching on the still very present aftereffects of residential schools in Canada, and the mistreatment of the Indigenous/Inuit community, ‘North of North’ doesn’t center on the dark; instead, it finds the light. Bringing indigenous humor to the masses, ‘North of North’ is gaining traction and notoriety, with Lambe being nominated for a Gotham TV Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy Series, to being renewed for a season 2, there’s so much to be proud of, and Lambe is just taking it all in. But beyond the accolades, the thing she prides herself on is bringing awareness to communities that have been overlooked and highlighting their vibrancy, their humour, their versatility, and their fashion.

In conversation with Schön! Magazine, Anna Lambe discusses ‘North of North’, what she loves about the character of Siaja, the show’s production taking over her hometown of Iqaluit, Nunavut, and what she hopes audiences take away from the series.

jacket. Falguni Shane Peacock
shirt. No Maintenance
ear cuff. Gabriella Artigas
opposite
blouse. Kaos
jacket + trousers. As by DF
hat. Stetson
earrings. Erkoos
necklace. Gabriella Artigas

So Anna, with full discretion, my mom and I started watching the show a few days ago. It’s been on my list for a while, and we fell in love with it. It is such a beautiful show. You and all involved should be so proud. Congratulations on season two being announced.

Thank you. Season two was such a surprise. I mean, it was always the hope and the dream. When I got the call, I burst into tears because I was anxiously pacing about like, “I don’t know if it’s going to happen. Are we going to beat the Netflix curse?”

We’re Canadian. So, does the Netflix curse really exist for us?

[laughs] I don’t think so. We’ve got to keep it going.

Definitely! In an interview you did with Cherry Picks a bit ago, you spoke about it taking some time to realize how empowering storytelling can be for advocacy with the film Grizzlies. Can you touch upon what storytelling means to you now and how it’s altered your worldview?

I think there’s been a lot of growth and understanding in the power of storytelling and the impact that film and television have on the conversations that we have. I guess I’ll speak specifically to indigeneity and our communities, and healing. What does indigenous futurism look like? What is our perception of the past? How do we reclaim it? How do we reclaim our past identities? Because how we’ve been portrayed in film and television has always been so skewed or inaccurate, or just completely wrong and harmful. There’s very much, as I’ve come to understand, a past, present future impact on how we tell stories now. I think with every project, I’ve become more conscious and more careful about the kind of stories I choose to be a part of.

When creating things, I do try and advocate as best I can to make things – I don’t want to necessarily say ‘positively’ impactful, because people think positive means good, positive means happy, positive means this, that, or the other. But when I say ‘positively’ impact or portray or represent, I just mean accurately.

In my career, I have always wanted everything I’ve done to be something I can look back on and be proud of, and know that I made a good decision. I think the impact of storytelling has grown as I’ve come to understand it more and more, but also learning to navigate it has changed. Also, finding my voice as a young Indigenous woman in film and television it’s difficult. It’s scary. I mean, you want to advocate for yourself.

But there is that little undertow of fear of like, “What happens if people think I’m a diva? What happens if they think I’m going to be hard to work with?” Having to take that fear and hold it and nurture it and go, “This is valid and this is real and this makes sense. But this can’t be what stops me from doing the right thing.”

jacket. Falguni Shane Peacock
shirt. No Maintenance
trousers. Theory
ear cuff + bracelet. Gabriella Artigas
ring. De Liguoro
opposite
suit. Bianca & Bridgett
shirt. Maison Tai
brooch. Talia Perla

Hard agree. I would say that, at some point, you have to stop caring what other people think. You know what you’re doing is right, and it feels right to you. That’s what matters. You just push forward. Adding on to the storytelling aspect, what are the stories that impacted you growing up? Whether it’s film, television, or even books, why did they resonate?

I was an angsty teenager [laughter]. I was reading The Hunger Games on the couch. I had Christmas dinner early to go read Mockingjay. Those kinds of fantasy stories and coming of age, teenage angst, I felt very seen by. But I was also aware that I was this kid growing up in the Canadian Arctic, I relate to these stories, but they’re faraway stories. Of course, they’re fantasy and dystopian universes. So, of course, they’re far away. But there was also the aspect of wanting to see something with people like me in it. That would be cool. There’s Indigenous film and television I grew up with. Like I spent a lot of time with my mom going and helping out my grandma, my great grandma, but we called her Anana, which means mom.

We’d spend a lot of time at her house, and in the background was APTN, the Aboriginal People’s Television Network. It was always a rerun of Atanatua or North of Sixty. Those also had a massive impact on my upbringing. So, of course, I never really felt represented in the mainstream, but there is stuff that exists about us and who we are and our stories. There was always that. But I love seeing now the bridging of both of those things and how we get to do both and be both and create and foster space to tell more stories that keep expanding the range of what Indigenous film and television looks like and is.

In past years, we’ve been seeing things like Taika Waititi’s Boy or Reservation Dogs, or Rutherford Falls, or Grizzlies and Trickster, and being part of the expansion of Indigenous film and television has been really exciting. It’s fun in many ways because getting to be part of development and beginnings is really cool.

dress. Onalaja

Speaking of beginnings, I was going to ask when ‘North of North’ first came across your desk, what were your initial thoughts?

My initial thought was, “I want to do this. 100 percent. Yes. Yep.” [laughs] I want an audition. I’m going to do everything for this audition. Then I’m going to be so annoying about making sure I’m constantly in the mix, that the role isn’t dead to me yet. You know what I mean? I’ve not been passed on yet. I had first heard about the role from Alethea (Arnaquq-Baril), one of the showrunners, a few years prior, when they were going to streamers and pitching the show. I ran into her at the airport, and she had just come back from L.A. We were both flying to Iqaluit, and she was explaining what the show was.

She’s like, “Have you ever seen Sex Education?” I was like, “Well, no.” And she said it’s the grounded elements of that with some other things. It’s really fun. It’s a comedy. “Well, if you ever want someone to come around and bring you coffee and stuff, you can call me.” And then, in the spring of 2023, I saw that they had gotten the green light. Everything was ready to go. They were about to start casting this untitled Arctic comedy.

I was on high alert, my eyes? Peeled. When the audition did come through, it ended up being a four-month audition process, multiple callbacks, chem reads, and a really long, long waiting game. But the entire time, I was being so dramatic about it. Bless my family and my partner, who all held my hand and consoled me very gently. Everything was going to be fine, whether I got it or not. Eventually, they called me and said, “Well, if you want it, it’s yours.” I was just like, “Well, yeah. I mean, I guess if it’s on the table, I’ll take a look at what I have going on.” [laughter]

Let me check my schedule.

I’ll see if I can fit it in.

What about Siaja jumped out at you from the page?

She’s so messy. I knew that from the audition. She’s also complicated. She’s so messy. She’s so imperfect. But really sweet and endearing and charming. It’s the best of both worlds, of everything you want to be able to do as an actor while being fun and silly and a little bit chaotic at times. It was all of those elements where she’s so layered, and she ticks the box of what a perfect Indigenous woman should be. She’s sometimes the problem, and she’s sometimes the solution. I love her. I want to be her. I know so many women in my personal life like her. She is such a reflection of so many Inuit women that I know and love, and am surrounded by. To be able to be a part of that representation is something that I was thrilled to even get a shot at doing.

Absolutely. Like you mentioned, when we first meet Siaja, she’s going through it. She’s married to the town’s golden boy, who, let’s be honest, isn’t so golden. It’s hinted at that she was parentified from a very young age in the first episode. So, she’s understandably fed up, her story is such a relatable one for a lot of women. What has it been like for you to see the response to her plight?

I think it’s been so humbling and so exciting and heartwarming and sometimes even scary at times how many women feel seen and represented by Siaja and her experience. Whether it’s being parentified from a young age, which I know so many indigenous women have the experience of having to go through or having to be raised to cater to men, be raised to cater to a family and your needs will always come second, or whether it’s being a single mom and, trying to understand how to navigate co-parenting or toxic relationships.

Then also just in general, people who feel so afraid about having to get it right all the time. It’s been nice to kind of share so much of Siaja with so many people, and that people relate to her on such different levels. It’s also been kind of unhinged and chaotic how many people relate to the wild parts of her as well. You know, the fact that she has wants and needs to date and that she wants to lose her second virginity, and she can want all of these things for herself without feeling guilty. Indigenous women, I think, are so often portrayed as victims of sexual experiences, victims of relationships, especially in television and media. I think to show an Indigenous woman who’s like, “No, I want this.” She has control and sovereignty over her body and wants to understand herself.

I think that’s so powerful. To be able to have that representation and to have people be like, “Sex isn’t a negative thing. Wanting things isn’t a negative thing. Wanting to put myself out there, those aren’t inherently negative things.” The fact that Indigenous women are constantly told that they’re victims and that they are commodified and fetishized and sexualized like that. Those are all true things and things that also need to be represented. Those are things that happen. But the fact that we can also want things is so important. Being able to have so many women and people in general feel represented by that as well, I think, shows the importance of having this kind of show told in this way, a comedy told in this way, to capture the breadth of the Indigenous woman’s experience.

tank top. CDLP
jeans. Noend Denim
earrings. Christine Bukkehave
suspenders. Uncuffed Leather
opposite
faux fur coat. Anastasia Bull
tank top. CDLP
jeans. Noend Denim
necklace. Veronica Tharmalingam

At the end of the first episode, a lot of people would identify the crash out she has as cringe. I didn’t see it as cringe at all. I saw it as an act of rebellion, from a woman that has had enough and just wants to be given the opportunity to find herself and be given the opportunity to mess up. You’ve said in other interviews that the show was filmed in your hometown of Iqaluit, and you moved back in with your parents. Can you talk a little about that whole experience? Also, what was it like having the production basically take over the town? Do you have any memories from filming the first season that you can share with us?

I was so excited to go back home. I have dreamed about being able to live in Iqaluit as an adult. It’s really hard to get an apartment if you don’t have subsidized housing. It’s so difficult to pursue a career in the arts and acting in mainstream TV, if you live up north. So being able to have the opportunity to go back home was exciting to me and also getting the opportunity to live with my parents. I know for a lot of people they go, “Oh, no, no, no, no.” [laughter] The support system was really, really appreciated. It’s really freaking hard to make a TV show in the Arctic. It’s hard. There’s so little infrastructure. The production team were coming up on challenge after challenge after challenge, foreseen and unforeseen. The days were really long and difficult and sometimes complicated before we really managed to find our stride or before the snow managed to melt a little bit and it was less difficult.

But it was just nice after like a 14-hour day, coming home and my dad being like, “Hey, kid, there’s pasta for you in the fridge.” I would just have no words, nonverbal, eyes half closed, eating my pasta, shower, and going to bed. Then be up in eight hours for the next day. I was grateful for my family and my parents. It’s just nice to have a full house and all of these things at your fingertips, doing a shoot.

Then this production team comes in, and you get so close because you’re together every single day, all day. But then there were these weird moments where I would see people that I grew up with, and the production team together. I was like, “Oh, this is so interesting.” This is a crossover of two worlds that I never thought would happen. But it was really heartwarming. It was such a beautiful thing to see Iqaluit be so supportive of the show and welcome us with open arms. It was nerve-wracking to be leading a show and have your entire community as the audience. It was nice to have the production be so open to what life in the North is like. I was really excited to tell this story and go on this adventure, and to see their love for the North grow as the months went on was so beautiful.

Then, for Iqaluit to get the experience of filming a big budget series and be background and different positions in the crew was really, really cool. On the weekends, going out dancing and seeing this whole mishmash of worlds.

blouse. Kaos
hat. Stetson

I love that! What I adore about ‘North of North’ is just how vibrant and gorgeous the Inuk community is. What has been the most surprising thing about the response to the show and seeing your community in the spotlight?

I think it’s been really surprising how surprised people have been that the North is as vibrant as it is. We’re fun-loving communities. You know, of course, there’s hardship, of course, there’s darkness. We’ve seen it before. Been there, done that.

But we are very vibrant communities. We’re so full of colour, whether it’s our houses, whether it’s our clothing, we love a pop of colour. The love for the wardrobe has been so incredible because our team, our team is amazing. Debra Hanson, who was our head of costume, and Nooks Lindell, who was our Inuk designer, worked with Debra to really curate and make sure the wardrobe was as authentic as possible. The way they worked together to create such an incredible assortment of clothing was amazing. You go to the grocery store, and people are dressed to the nines. They look good. The parkas are colourful. The fur is big. That’s a real point of pride for a lot of people.

Whether it’s parkas that have been gifted, parkas that people have been made for them, I think it’s an important part of who we are, a real kind of combination of modern and traditional. To see all the love that that’s gotten and all the love the Indigenous designers who have contributed work to the production have gotten has been so exciting. For them to see their work on screen, I love seeing when people take a photo of their TV, and they’re like, “That’s my work!” That’s been so like heartwarming and fulfilling.

The response to the wardrobe has been shocking in all of the best ways, as well as the music. We have such an incredible music team that pulled together such great songs. And the fact that we were able to get clearance on some of these songs. What strings were pulled to get this? [laughs] Opening with Dua Lipa’s ‘Levitating’ (‘Ikiaqqik’) sung by Riit was so like, my heart burst and then came back together just so that it could burst again. It was the best feeling. To see Riit get her flowers, and so many other Inuit artists that did covers of pop songs and rock songs and songs that we all know and love, but then covered in Inuktitut has been so beautiful and amazing. The fact that people love that and come to the show just for that is really incredible. It’s beautiful to see that the community effort that it took to make this show is being appreciated so widely. It’s a beautiful thing.

It really is wonderful to see the whole community being given the flowers they deserve on such a global scale. On a slightly adjacent note, I have to ask about your mom’s parka, the one you wear in the first episode. I saw in another interview that she let you borrow it, but won’t let you have it. Any movement there? [Anna laughs] Did you end up adding it to your closet? Or is she still holding on to it?

She will very, very quickly let anyone know that it’s still hers. Her parka. It’s not mine. I’m allowed to wear it.

Dang it.

I know. I know. I’m like, “You know who it looks really nice on? You know who it fits perfectly?”

No dice, huh?

Nope!

suit. Bianca & Bridgett
shirt. Maison Tai
brooch. Talia Perla
opposite
top to bottom
faux fur coat. Anastasia Bull
tank top. CDLP
necklace. Veronica Tharmalingam
dress. Onalaja

I did want to touch a little more on the fashion of the show. How much of a say did you have in Siaja’s wardrobe? Did you have a favorite piece? What’s the story there?

I’m so lucky. As soon as they started getting wardrobe together for ‘North of North’, Nooks Lindell had messaged me and he was like, “Hey, I’m working with the team on wardrobe. Are there any specific designers that you want?” I immediately started typing out a list. I want Victoria’s Arctic Fashion, I want Winifred Designs. Can we get so-and-so-and-so-and-so-and-so-and-so. He was like, “That’s great because we already got all of them.” It’s Inuit design, Inuit craftsmanship, it’s not that it’s small, but it’s if you know, you know, kind of thing. Some people are so well known for their parkas and their designs. I could see a Victoria’s Arctic Fashion from a mile away and go like, “Yeah, that’s Vic.” If it’s not Vic, it’s inspired by Vic. Everyone’s got their own unique thing. It’s amazing that we have such a wide range from Greenland to Alaska of designers.

They were always very curious about what my thoughts were. We wanted Siaja to be very fun and colourful. She goes through this journey throughout the series with her clothing, where she becomes a bit more experimental. She’s got such a wide array of parkas and clothing. She’s a fashionable gal. Her husband may not be the coolest guy, but he takes care of her and he buys her stuff. Whether it’s as an apology or not, we don’t know. I have a crazy collection of earrings. I have a crazy collection of parkas that I’ve had for 10 years. It’s a collection, and people really take care of their things. It’s not too far from any version of reality that she has so much stuff.

In terms of favourite items, I would say Siaja’s kamiks were one of my favourite things in the show. They’re just so beautiful. The craftsmanship that goes into a pair of kamiks is crazy. From cleaning the seal skin to tanning it. The stitching that goes into them is just unbelievable. Then the designs vary from region to region. They take weeks to make. It’s so special wearing and showcasing these designers, because my art is, is acting and it’s the screen, but being able to wear their art is such a huge honour.

jacket. Falguni Shane Peacock
shirt. No Maintenance
ear cuff. Gabriella Artigas

Absolutely. The series is made with so much care from fashion to acting to production, and everything behind the scenes. What do you hope audiences take away from the show that has been made with so much love?

I hope that audiences are open to the fact that our lives, our stories, and our experiences really aren’t that different from the rest of the world. People, I think, a lot of the time forget the Arctic exists, or they think there’s nothing up there. That, you know, Inuit were once upon a time a people that existed and no longer do, they went extinct. It’s like, no, we’re very real and very vibrant communities, we’re still very much alive. Of course, history hasn’t been the kindest to us. Colonialism, for many people, hasn’t been kind to us. But we have managed to survive and persevere.

Alot of that has happened through joy and comedy, through laughter, through community. Our show is very much a reflection of that. I hope people see that our communities exist in an array of ways, you know, of course, the darkness of cold winter, and the heaviness of that exists, but so does this vibrant, saturated, beautiful community. And that deserves just as much screen time, just as much representation, and attention as stories that are centred around trauma and hardship. It’s been exciting to finally feel like we have a show that represents our communities as they are in a bright way. This is us. I’m so tired of people saying, “Well, this isn’t like what I thought the Arctic was like.” Girl, who do you think knows better? Are the locals and the actors who are actually from here? Or people who have only ever heard about it through TV? This is who we are. I hope people can take that away and just be open to our self-representation. That would be cool.

Here’s hoping the series gets even more eyes on it come season 2. My last question, what is one thing you’ve learned from playing Siaja and from filming ‘North of North’ What is a lesson that you carry with you?

A lesson I’ve carried with me from Siaja and filming ‘North of North’ is that embarrassment passes. The cringe does pass, and it does go away eventually. I think it’s emboldened me to take more risks, to be more myself, and to not put myself into a box out of fear of how people might judge or perceive me. If I make a mistake, that embarrassment does go away, and your community more often than not want you to win. They want you to succeed. They want you to grow. And whether there’s a little bit of judgment that comes with that, it’s inevitable. You’ve got to keep pushing on if you really believe in what you want and what you’re moving towards.