Reality is the story we tell.
North is a six-episode fantasy adventure epic podcast, improvised in real time.
Set in a fantasy world inspired by the wild landscapes, flora, and fauna of Canada, North follows five actors through multiple sessions of the tabletop roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons.
North evokes the epic, sweeping stories of Lord of the Rings, the tranquil yet alien landscapes of Studio Ghibli films, and the warm familiarity of an eighties childhood D&D game. The narrative balances full emersion within the fantasy world and behind-the-scenes insight into the story creation process, inviting the audience to sit at the gaming table with the cast.
What is this?
North joins the growing ranks of “actual play” tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) podcasts and video series, in which actors play a game such as Dungeons & Dragons for an audience. The mechanics of the TTRPG provide the scaffolding for the plot of the narrative, while the Dungeon Master, or Game Master, operates as writer, director, narrator, and background actor. The cast each play a main character in the narrative, improvising the story within the world provided by the Game Master.
Tabletop Roleplaying Game (TTRPG) media has risen exponentially in popularity within recent years, as evidenced by the staggering success of shows like Critical Role, which recently performed live for a crowd of 12,000 at Wembley Arena. Within the podcast landscape, actual play podcast Worlds Beyond Number recently joined the 20 most popular Patreon accounts in the world.
Why should we make this?
This new landscape of TTRPG-based media lacks a strong Canadian presence. North provides an opportunity to highlight Canadian talent and tell a story tailored to its audience in a medium that continues to see rising enthusiasm from listeners, which allows for the possibility of further development and expansion.
The vast (vast) majority of TTRPG podcasts and video series are helmed by cis, straight men, typically middle aged. Nearly the entire cast is generally cis, straight men. Cis straight men are great - but we think we could stand to hear some other voices in this space we love so much. Maybe voices that sound a little more like ours.
Who are we, anyway?
North is co-created by JR Williams and Gillian Reed.
JR (Jackie) Williams (she/they) is a Toronto-based producer, writer, and Game Master. She has produced both stage plays and a narrative podcast, funded by granting bodies such as the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. She is an avid consumer of audio-first stories, particularly “actual play” narratives, and is intimately familiar with the TTRPG media landscape. Jackie has rich experience as a Game Master for - and superfan of - Dungeons & Dragons which, coupled with her expertise as a producer and writer, makes her uniquely positioned to spearhead an actual play podcast. Jackie is a co-writer and co-creator of North, and will serve as a Producer on the project.
Gillian Reed (she/her) is a Toronto-based performer, director, and professional game master with a specialty in immersive experiences. She has helmed and contributed to several theatre productions, escape games, immersive art experiences, live action role plays (LARPs), and community arts programs. Gillian is the former Artistic Director of Pirate Life Theatre and is the current Event Coordinator and Game Master behind Dungeons & Flagons: a monthly TTRPG gaming event in Toronto’s Junction neighbourhood that regularly sells out in mere hours. In her games, Gillian leverages her training in theatre and voice acting performance to populate her worlds and create immersive experiences for her players. Gillian is a co-writer and co-creator of North, and will be cast in the role of Game Master.
So what are we asking for?
The primary resources the North team is seeking are industry-standard rates for our actors, equipment access, sound design and editing, distribution, and marketing support. All of these things cost money. As of now, North is an independent production.
We will be relying on our friends, family, and community to help us make this unique podcast. When we are ready to begin raising funds, we will launch a Kickstarter campaign. Our backers will receive lots of exciting rewards for helping us make North!
The intention is to release the podcast in 2025. We promise to send regular updates via email so you know how the project is progressing.
If you want updates on the project, make sure you join the mailing list via the form at the bottom of this page!
Now what?
If you would like to help us make North, you can contact Jackie at jrwilliamsproductions@gmail.com. Jackie will get in touch.