Carrie-Anne Moss was engrossed in a chapter about Baba Yaga from her cherished book when an offer to star in the new series, “Yaga,” came her way. The coincidence felt significant to her.
During an interview 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. The chapter she was reading seemed to mirror the project she was presented with.
“Those kinds of occurrences hold real weight for me,” Moss stated. “They have always been a guiding force in my life.”
“Yaga,” a dark mystery-thriller, is the brainchild of Canadian playwright Kat Sandler and is an adaptation of her 2019 stage play.
In the series, Noah Reid from “Schitt’s Creek” takes on the role of private investigator Charlie Rapp, embarking on a mission to locate missing heir Henry Park, portrayed by Hudson Williams from “Heated Rivalry.” The narrative unfolds in the fictional coastal town of Whittock, drawing parallels to the enigmatic Slavic legend of Baba Yaga.
Sandler extended an offer to Moss to play the character of Katherine Hargrove, a professor with an affinity for younger men. After reviewing Sandler’s letter, pitch, and scripts, Moss made the decision to accept the role.
Filming in Victoria has brought Moss back to her roots in British Columbia, where she spent summers as a child with her relatives on the island.
Growing up in Burnaby and later residing in Granville Island during high school, Moss’s passion for acting was ignited by her solo trips to witness school plays, musicals, and the performing arts group that toured Vancouver.
“I always harbored dreams of becoming an actress,” Moss shared with CBC News, reflecting on how watching TV shows fueled her aspirations and emotional connections to the performances she witnessed.
Acting, for Moss, wasn’t a strategic career choice but a calling she discovered early on through singing in choirs, crafting plays, and immersing herself in performances.
Her journey led her from Vancouver to Toronto, where she initially pursued modeling before transitioning to acting, ultimately landing her first major role on the television series “Dark Justice” while living in Barcelona.
Moving to Los Angeles with limited resources and facing uncertainties, Moss persevered, driven by her genuine passion for acting and a belief that her intentions would pave the way for her.
Despite facing setbacks, including being released from a TV series after two seasons, Moss stayed resolute in her pursuit of acting opportunities, leading her to audition for “The Matrix” in 1997, a pivotal role that transformed her career.
Upon securing the role of Trinity in “The Matrix,” Moss found herself emotionally overwhelmed, a moment she vividly recalls as a turning point in her life.
Reflecting on her experiences, Moss acknowledges that rejections and challenges have shaped her resilience and influenced how she navigates disappointments, both professionally and personally.
Moss’s dedication to her craft extended to four months of intensive martial arts training for “The Matrix,” forging strong bonds with her co-stars and immersing herself in the film’s production process.
Achieving international acclaim with her role in “The Matrix,” Moss’s career has seen her in diverse films and a return to the franchise in 2021’s “The Matrix Resurrections.”
Balancing her career with motherhood, Moss cherishes her role as a parent and has prioritized family life, moving away from the bustling Hollywood scene to New Hampshire for a quieter lifestyle.
While contemplating the future of creativity and the impact of artificial intelligence on the arts, Moss remains skeptical about AI’s role in the creative process, emphasizing the importance of human storytelling and empathy-building.
As she navigates her artistic journey, Moss remains focused on the present choices before her, embracing opportunities that align with her purpose and values.
