Carrie-Anne Moss was engrossed in a chapter about Baba Yaga from her treasured book, “Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype” by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, when an invitation to join the new series, “Yaga,” came her way. The timing felt like a meaningful coincidence to Moss, who shared in an interview with CBC’s Eli Glasner that such moments have always influenced her decisions.
“Yaga,” a dark mystery-thriller based on Canadian playwright Kat Sandler’s 2019 stage play, stars Noah Reid from “Schitt’s Creek” as private investigator Charlie Rapp, on a mission to locate missing heir Henry Park portrayed by Hudson Williams of “Heated Rivalry.” Set in the fictional coastal town of Whittock, the storyline mirrors the enigmatic Slavic legend of Baba Yaga, known for her hut standing on chicken legs and unpredictable power.
Upon receiving a letter from Sandler detailing the role of Katherine Hargrove, a professor attracted to younger men, Moss carefully reviewed the script before accepting the part. Filming in Victoria has brought Moss back to her roots in British Columbia, where she spent summers with family as a child.
Growing up in Burnaby before moving to Granville Island, Moss’s passion for acting was ignited by her early exposure to school plays and performing arts groups in Vancouver. Her journey from Vancouver to Toronto as a model and later to Europe for her first major role on the TV series “Dark Justice” eventually led her to Los Angeles, where she faced challenges but remained committed to her acting aspirations.
Moss’s breakthrough role as Trinity in “The Matrix” transformed her career, leading to international recognition and subsequent film appearances. Despite stepping back at times to prioritize raising her children, Moss has continued to evolve as an artist. Her move to New Hampshire reflects a desire for a quieter lifestyle away from Hollywood, where she can appreciate the night sky.
While Moss remains passionate about storytelling and human creativity, she expresses concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the artistic process. She believes that AI can stifle creativity and emphasizes the importance of preserving human connection and empathy through storytelling.
As Moss navigates her artistic path, she remains focused on the present and the opportunities that lie ahead, including her return to her roots in British Columbia and her role in “Yaga,” a project that resonated with her at a pivotal moment in her career.