The Emmy-Award winning cast of the popular television series Northern Exposure: The cast, listed clockwise from the far left are: Elaine Miles, Darren E. Burrows, Peg Phillips, John Cullum, Cynthia Geary, Barry Corbin, Janine Turner, and Rob Morrow. Photo: CBS/Photofest
Who could forget the multiple Emmy-award winning television series Northern Exposure, which ran for 110 episodes on CBS from 1990 to 1995? The series, which concentrated on a young Jewish doctor from New York City who operates his practice in a small Alaskan town, was enjoyed by millions during its primetime six-year run.
Some of the most comedic moments of the show were the interactions between an extremely high-strung Dr. Joel Fleischman, played by Rob Morrow, and his laid back and unflinching Native Alaskan secretary Marilyn Whirlwind, played by Elaine Miles.
Other enjoyable characters included millionaire businessman Maurice Minnifield, played by Barry Corbin, the tough pilot Maggie O’Connell, played by Janine Turner and the Native Alaskan handyman Ed Chigliak, played by Darren E. Burrows.
Many of the actors still share close friendships to this day.
In a conversation with Elaine Miles, she shares in short that she isn’t too sure if she is involved, but touched on some of the pleasant moments from the past.
Vincent Schilling: Hey Elaine, so what have you heard about a potential Northern Exposure reboot?
Elaine Miles: What I get from Barry Corbin and Darren Burroughs, they inboxed me wondering on Facebook, we weren’t told about it. None of us were informed. We are all wondering if we are going to be a part of it or not. I looked on Rob Morrows Facebook page and he had printed up an article saying it was in the process of writing the scripts and they are going to have some of the original cast. He didn’t state that we were all coming back. He said some of the original cast members will be a part of it.
Vincent Schilling: How could you not be a part of it?
Elaine Miles: (Laughs) Yeah. I even asked Rob (Morrows), So what’s going on with it? And he goes, ‘They’re just writing the script, trying to get stuff together and still trying to get some money together to have enough for a couple episodes but they want to do a few more.’ And I was like, oh, okay.
Vincent Schilling: Have you had a lot of people asking you about it?
Elaine Miles: My Facebook was an overload last week. When people started talking to me, I wondered if it’s going it really going to happen. That’s why Barry and Darren got in contact with me. But you know, when they canceled us, we had no idea until we all heard it on the news. They told us we were canceled and we were like, “Wow, you didn’t even tell us.” Barry also said they might not film it in the same place. I guess Hollywood can do anything. When we didn’t have snow years ago, they used to haul it in.
Vincent Schilling: Have you remained friends with your former cast members?
Elaine Miles: Barry and Darren and I were kind of like family. We were always kinda close even on set. When my dad was alive, my mom and dad, hung out with Barry all the time. Barry was always with my parents and when my dad passed away Barry said, “Honey, your dad and I talked, and he told me to keep an eye on you and make sure you don’t hook up with some Bozo.” And I was like, oh my God, sounds like my dad! (laughs)
Indian Country Today reached out to the writer and creator of Northern Exposure, Joshua Brand. Representatives say it is too early to make an assessment, but expect there will be a Native American presence on the show.
Stay tuned for any upcoming reports on the potential Northern Exposure reboot here at Indian Country Today.
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Follow Indian Country Today’s associate editor Vincent Schilling (Akwesasne Mohawk) on Twitter –@VinceSchilling
