Carrie-Anne Moss found herself engrossed in a chapter about Baba Yaga from her cherished book when an opportunity emerged to join the upcoming series, Yaga. The timing felt serendipitous to Moss. In a conversation with CBC’s Eli Glasner, Moss revealed her long-standing ownership of “Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype” by Clarissa Pinkola Estés since 1999, and how the chapter’s theme aligned with the project she was presented with.
Yaga, a dark mystery-thriller, is the brainchild of Canadian playwright Kat Sandler, adapted from her 2019 stage play. The series stars Noah Reid (Schitt’s Creek) as private investigator Charlie Rapp, embarking on a quest to locate missing heir Henry Park, portrayed by Hudson Williams (Heated Rivalry), in the fictional coastal town of Whittock, where echoes of the Slavic legend of Baba Yaga resonate.
Upon receiving a letter from Sandler outlining her vision for the character of Katherine Hargrove, a professor with a penchant for younger men, Moss carefully reviewed the letter, pitch, and scripts before accepting the role. Filming in Victoria has brought Moss back to British Columbia, evoking nostalgic memories of her summers on the island with her relatives.
Growing up in Burnaby and later residing with her mother in Granville Island during high school, Moss developed a deep-seated desire to pursue acting, inspired by the emotional impact of television shows on her. Her journey from Vancouver to Toronto as a model, and later to Europe, led her to her first significant role on the television series Dark Justice. Moss eventually landed the iconic role of Trinity in The Matrix, a turning point in her career that solidified her international fame.
Despite her Hollywood success, Moss prioritized family over work at times, relishing in the joys of motherhood. Settling in New Hampshire after years in Los Angeles, Moss now seeks a quieter life under the starlit skies. Expressing concerns about the influence of artificial intelligence on creativity, Moss remains wary of its implications on artistic expression, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in fostering empathy and connection.
As Moss navigates her career choices, including a return to her roots in British Columbia and her latest role in Yaga, she reflects on the spiritual essence of storytelling and the value it holds in shaping human experiences.