Anna Lambe
Anna Rynee Bridget Lambe is a Canadian Inuk actress from Iqaluit, Nunavut, recognized for her powerful performances that bring Indigenous stories to the forefront of Canadian film and television. She first garnered widespread attention and a Canadian Screen Award nomination for her debut role in the 2018 fact-based drama The Grizzlies. Lambe has since built a diverse career, appearing in series like Trickster and True Detective, and starring in the 2025 CBC/APTN comedy North of North. Her work and public advocacy, particularly for 2SLGBTQ inclusion within Inuit communities, have established her as a significant voice in contemporary Canadian arts.
Early life and education
Anna Lambe was born in Burin, Newfoundland and Labrador on 25 September 2000, but she grew up in Iqaluit, Nunavut. She attended Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit, where her interest in performance was nurtured by her drama teacher. Beyond the arts, Lambe was also an accomplished athlete, representing Nunavut in competitive sports. She won a bronze medal in under-19 girls doubles badminton at the 2017 North American Indigenous Games and competed in volleyball for the territory at the 2018 Arctic Winter Games. As of April 2022, Lambe was pursuing post-secondary studies in International Development and Globalization at the University of Ottawa, balancing her academic interests with her acting career.

Breakthrough with The Grizzlies
Lambe's professional acting career began with a powerful debut in the 2018 film The Grizzlies, which is based on a true story about a lacrosse program in Nunavut. She was encouraged to audition for the role of Spring by her high school drama teacher, leading to her selection for the part. The film was shot on location in her hometown of Iqaluit, adding a layer of authenticity to her performance. The Grizzlies was met with critical acclaim for its heartfelt storytelling and portrayal of Inuit community resilience.
Television and subsequent film work
Following her film debut, Lambe transitioned to television with a supporting role as Sarah in the 2020 CBC supernatural drama series Trickster, adapted from the novel by Eden Robinson. Her performance earned her a second Canadian Screen Award nomination, this time for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021. In September 2022, Lambe was cast in the high-profile fourth season of the HBO anthology series True Detective, titled Night Country, which expanded her reach to an international audience. In 2024, she moved into hosting, co-hosting the documentary series Warrior Up! alongside fellow Indigenous actors Joel Oulette and Joshua Odjick. The year 2025 marked a major step in Lambe's career with a leading role in the CBC and APTN original comedy series North of North. In the same year, she was announced as starring in the thriller film In the Heart of the South, directed by Nyla Innuksuk, which reunited her with her North of North co-star Zorga Qaunaq.
Anna Lambe made her film debut in the 2018 film The Grizzlies and later appeared in the 2020 television series Trickster. In 2022, she was cast in the fourth season of True Detective. In 2024, she co-hosted the documentary series Warrior Up! alongside Joel Oulette and Joshua Odjick. In 2025, she began starring in the CBC/APTN comedy series North of North and was announced to star in the film In the Heart of the South. This period of work demonstrates her versatility and commitment to Indigenous-led storytelling projects.
- 2018: Made her film debut as Spring in The Grizzlies, shot in Iqaluit.
- 2020: Played Sarah in the television series Trickster.
- 2021: Received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for her role in Trickster.
- 2022: Cast in the fourth season of HBO's True Detective.
- 2024: Co-hosted the documentary series Warrior Up! with Joel Oulette and Joshua Odjick.
- 2025: Began starring in the CBC/APTN comedy series North of North.
- 2025: Announced as star of the film In the Heart of the South, directed by Nyla Innuksuk.
Advocacy and public life
Anna Lambe is an outspoken advocate for 2SLGBTQ inclusion, publicly identifying as two-spirit. In 2020, she entered public discourse following a statement by Nunavut MLA Cathy Towtongie, who objected to the use of the word 'two-spirit' in a legislative motion, claiming the concept was not part of Inuit culture. Lambe wrote an open letter calling for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut to censure Towtongie for these remarks. In her letter, Lambe asserted that Inuit pride themselves on being a tolerant and accepting people, and she directly countered the claim that two-spirit identities are not the Inuit way. She argued that sexual fluidity and gender fluidity are, in fact, documented parts of Inuit history and cultural tradition. This advocacy aligns with her artistic choices, as she consistently selects roles and projects that contribute to a broader and more authentic representation of Indigenous peoples.
Anna Lambe identifies as 2SLGBTQ. In 2020, she wrote an open letter calling for the censure of MLA Cathy Towtongie after Towtongie objected to the use of the word two-spirit in a legislative motion. Lambe wrote that sexual fluidity and gender fluidity are parts of Inuit history. By using her platform this way, she positions herself as a cultural commentator and a role model for young Inuit and 2SLGBTQ individuals.
- Identifies publicly as 2SLGBTQ, with 2S representing two-spirit.
- Wrote a 2020 open letter addressing the Nunavut Legislative Assembly.
- Called for the censure of MLA Cathy Towtongie over remarks on two-spirit identity.
- Argued that tolerance and acceptance are core Inuit values.
- Stated that sexual and gender fluidity are parts of Inuit history.
- Her advocacy informs her choice of projects that promote authentic representation.
Filmography and major projects
Anna Lambe's film debut was as Spring in the 2018 film The Grizzlies, which is based on a true story and was shot in her hometown of Iqaluit. For this role, she was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress. She later received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the 2021 Canadian Screen Awards for her role in Trickster. Her projects often focus on Indigenous narratives, and her career progression includes leading television work in the 2025 series North of North.
| Year | Title | Role | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | The Grizzlies | Spring | Film | Debut role. Canadian Screen Award nomination |
| 2020 | Trickster | Sarah | TV Series | Canadian Screen Award nomination |
| 2024 | Warrior Up! | Herself (Co-host) | TV Documentary Series | Co-host with Joel Oulette & Joshua Odjick |
| 2024 | True Detective: Night Country | , | TV Series (Season 4) | Supporting role |
| 2025 | North of North | Starring Role | TV Comedy Series | CBC/APTN original series |
| 2025 | In the Heart of the South | Starring Role | Film | Thriller. Directed by Nyla Innuksuk |
Recognition and impact
Anna Lambe's impact on Canadian media is evidenced by both critical recognition and the cultural resonance of her work. Her two Canadian Screen Award nominations, for very different roles in The Grizzlies and Trickster, highlight the consistent strength of her performances across genres. By achieving this recognition at a young age, she has helped create opportunities for more Inuit actors in mainstream Canadian film and television. Her choice to work on projects like The Grizzlies and North of North, which are set in and deeply connected to Nunavut, ensures authentic Northern perspectives are shared with national audiences. Her public advocacy has also had a tangible impact on conversations about gender, sexuality, and tradition within Inuit communities.
Lambe represents a new generation of Indigenous artists who are not only excelling in their craft but are also actively shaping the cultural and social dialogue around them. Her combination of athletic achievement, academic pursuit, and artistic success presents a detailed model of contemporary Indigenous identity. As she continues to take on leading roles, her influence is likely to grow, inspiring future creators and affirming the importance of diverse Indigenous stories in Canada's cultural sphere. Her achievements span multiple areas of public life.
- Nominated for the 9th Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (2021).
- Won a bronze medal at the 2017 North American Indigenous Games for badminton.
- Competed for Nunavut in volleyball at the 2018 Arctic Winter Games.
- Studied International Development and Globalization at the University of Ottawa.
- Grew up in and filmed The Grizzlies in her hometown of Iqaluit, Nunavut.
- Publicly advocates for 2SLGBTQ inclusion as a two-spirit Inuk.
Questions about Anna Lambe
What is Anna Lambe best known for?
Anna Lambe is best known for her debut film role as Spring in the 2018 film The Grizzlies. This fact based drama, which was shot in her hometown of Iqaluit, earned her critical acclaim and a nomination for the Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 7th Canadian Screen Awards. Her performance in this film marked her entry into acting after being encouraged to audition by her drama teacher. The role established her as a notable Canadian Inuk actress and set the foundation for her subsequent career in television and film.
Where is Anna Lambe from?
Anna Lambe was born in Burin, Newfoundland and Labrador on 25 September 2000. However, she grew up in Iqaluit, Nunavut, which she considers her hometown. In Iqaluit, she attended Inuksuk High School. This community played a significant role in her early life and career, as it was also the filming location for her debut movie, The Grizzlies. Her upbringing in Nunavut is a central part of her personal and professional identity.
Has Anna Lambe won any awards?
Anna Lambe has received significant award nominations but has not yet won a Canadian Screen Award. She was first nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Grizzlies at the 7th Canadian Screen Awards. She later received a second nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in the television series Trickster at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021. These nominations represent major critical recognition early in her acting career. They highlight the impact of her performances in both film and television.
What did Anna Lambe study at university?
As of April 2022, Anna Lambe was studying International Development and Globalization at the University of Ottawa. This academic pursuit indicates an interest in global social and economic issues alongside her acting career. Her enrollment at a major Canadian university shows a commitment to higher education. This detail provides context about her life and interests outside of her work in film and television.
What is Anna Lambe's role in the 2025 series North of North?
In 2025, Anna Lambe began starring in the CBC and APTN original comedy series North of North. This role marks a lead position in a major television production. In the same year, it was also announced she would star in the thriller film In the Heart of the South opposite her North of North co-star Zorga Qaunaq. These projects demonstrate her expanding and diverse acting portfolio in the mid 2020s.
Why did Anna Lambe write an open letter in 2020?
In 2020, Anna Lambe wrote an open letter calling for the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut to censure MLA Cathy Towtongie. This was in response to Towtongie's statement objecting to the use of the word 'two-spirit' in a legislative motion, claiming the concept was not part of Inuit culture. Lambe, who identifies as 2SLGBTQ (with 2S standing for two-spirit), argued that Inuit history includes sexual fluidity and gender fluidity. She stated that Towtongie did not speak for her as an Inuk and emphasized Inuit traditions of tolerance and acceptance.
Sources and further reading
- Anna Lambe (Wikipedia)
- Anna Lambe Has Something To Say (uphere.ca)
Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-01.





