Life Below Zero: Next Generation Cast – Meet the Faces Redefining Alaskan Survival

When Life Below Zero: Next Generation debuted in 2020 as a spin-off of the original Life Below Zero series, it introduced viewers to a younger, often more idealistic wave of Alaskans determined to live off-grid. Unlike the seasoned survivalists of the flagship show, these new faces often left behind modern comforts — and sometimes entire careers — to test themselves in Alaska’s brutal wilderness. The cast reflects not only changing demographics but also a deeper societal curiosity: what does it take to choose a life that most people would run from? However, the series concluded in early 2024, as National Geographic did not renew the show after its seventh season.

Meet the Life Below Zero: Next Generation Cast

Chevie and Sonta Roach

They joined Life Below Zero: Next Generation in Season 3 and quickly became one of the most visible families in the series. Living in Shageluk, Alaska, the Roach family—Chevie, Sonta, and their five children—offered a powerful narrative of cultural preservation, family resilience, and subsistence living. Chevie, originally from Tok, is known for his skills in trapping, hunting, and mechanical repair, while Sonta, a Deg Hit’an language teacher, integrates cultural education into daily life. Their storylines included blackfish harvesting, wolf and moose hunts, cabin building, and teaching their children essential off-grid skills. Following the spin-off’s cancellation in 2024, the Roach family transitioned to the original Life Below Zero in Season 23, continuing to represent Alaska’s Indigenous communities and multigenerational knowledge transfer through episodes that emphasize hunting, language preservation, and community stewardship.

Kaleb and Brittany Rowland

They brought a family-centered perspective to Life Below Zero: Next Generation. Kaleb, born and raised in McCarthy, Alaska, worked as a contractor and licensed pilot with expertise in off-grid construction. Brittany, who grew up in Fairbanks and Anchorage, adapted quickly to remote life and managed homeschooling, homesteading, and multiple small businesses. The Rowlands appeared in all seven seasons of the show, contributing 56 episodes between 2020 and 2024. Their segments documented daily challenges like wood gathering, wildlife encounters, and winter preparations, as well as parenting in isolation. Their story included personal milestones and tragedy, including the birth of their two children and the loss of a third shortly after birth. After the show ended, they continued their off-grid life in McCarthy, with Brittany sharing updates through a growing social media following. Their portrayal offered a sustained look at rural resilience, generational learning, and family-driven survival in Alaska’s interior.

Mario Quezada and Clare Morrisette-Calvert

They joined Life Below Zero: Next Generation in Season 5 and remained active through the show’s final episodes in Season 7. Originally from Las Vegas and Wisconsin respectively, Mario—a former U.S. Army officer—and Clare—a parks and recreation graduate—settled into a 15-acre off-grid homestead north of Fairbanks. Their segments often highlighted sled dog care, subsistence hunting, and adapting to extreme conditions. They emphasized teamwork, community ties, and gradual mastery of wilderness living, transitioning from newcomers to confident homesteaders. Following their final appearance in February 2024, they stepped away from the show while maintaining a low public profile. Their contributions remain a grounded portrayal of modern off-grid resilience.

Alex Javor

He appeared in Seasons 1 through 4 of Life Below Zero: Next Generation, contributing a total of 32 episodes. A former U.S. Army infantryman from Alabama, Alex sought clarity and purpose through complete isolation in Alaska’s wilderness. Settling near Deadman Lake and Bear Creek, he lived off-grid with his dog Sipsy, showcasing a survivalist journey marked by solitude, trial-and-error resilience, and introspective endurance. His segments focused on solo shelter construction, food foraging, and the mental toll of extreme isolation. After Season 4, Alex quietly stepped away from the show and public life. His last known social media activity was in November 2021, affirming his continued subsistence lifestyle away from the spotlight.

Johnny Rolfe

He began appearing in Season 2 and went on to become one of the most recognizable faces from the franchise. Originally from Indiana, Johnny overcame heroin addiction and homelessness before building his first log cabin north of Fairbanks in 2019. With his rescue dog Java by his side, Johnny lived seasonally across three remote cabins in Alaska—fishing, hunting, foraging, and practicing cold plunges and subsistence ethics. He appeared in 64 episodes of Life Below Zero: Next Generation between 2021 and 2024, then transitioned to the main Life Below Zero series where he continued his off-grid journey. Johnny’s final appearances came in Season 23 of Life Below Zero, after which he stepped away from public view.

Michael Manzo

He was a central figure during the first two seasons of Life Below Zero: Next Generation (2020–2021), bringing Indigenous knowledge and veteran resilience to the forefront. A member of the Band of Aroostook Mi’kmaq and a former combat engineer in Iraq, Manzo appeared in 19 episodes before stepping away from the series. Based in interior Alaska, he showcased subsistence practices rooted in cultural preservation—building freighter canoes, training sled dogs, and navigating frozen waterways. His segments emphasized bushcraft, self-reliance, and spiritual reflection drawn from both military and ancestral experiences. After his departure from the show, he continued his work through Yukon Freightworks Canoe Co., leading youth engagement programs and advocating for Native traditions and ecological stewardship.

Chris and Jessi Morse

They were among the youngest participants in Life Below Zero: Next Generation. They joined the show in 2020 after earlier appearances on Yukon Men, and remained until the fifth season in 2023. Over the course of their time on the series, they were shown rebuilding a remote family cabin, managing long periods of isolation, and navigating harsh winter conditions in the Alaskan interior. In 2022, a wildfire severely affected the Cosna River area where they had been living. Following this event, the couple was not included in the cast for Season 6. In March 2024, they returned to their cabin and found it still intact despite extensive regional damage. They have since resumed their off-grid lifestyle, including outdoor subsistence activities and craft-based income, while documenting their experiences independently.

RJ Miller and His Son

They appeared in Seasons 4 and 5, bringing representation from Southeast Alaska and a strong focus on Indigenous subsistence traditions. Robert “RJ” Miller, a Tlingit cultural practitioner, and his son RJ Jr. shared a father-son narrative centered on sustainable hunting, fur processing, and food preservation rooted in ancestral knowledge. Both were featured engaging in seal and otter hunting, crafting halibut hooks, and participating in deer, crab, and clam harvesting. Their scenes highlighted the intergenerational transfer of cultural skills and the intersection of modern conservation science with traditional values. Following Season 5, the Millers did not return to the show, though they continue to run Sea Fur Sewing and Peril Sky LLC while remaining active in cultural and ecological advocacy in Sitka.

Thematic Differences from the Original Series

Unlike Life Below Zero, which focused heavily on established bush veterans like Sue Aikens and Chip & Agnes Hailstone, Next Generation leans into the narrative of choice — these individuals aren’t born into the wilderness but seek it out. This shift gives the series a philosophical edge: What draws modern humans back to nature? What sacrifices are made? Can grit be learned, or must it be inherited?

Why the Cast Resonates with Viewers

The strength of Life Below Zero: Next Generation lies in the diversity of its cast. From single men like Alex Javor and Johnny Rolfe to young families like the Rowlands and Roaches, the show offers a lens into the many ways survival is defined, pursued, and celebrated. Viewers connect not just with the dramatic weather or rugged terrain, but with the human struggles — isolation, fear, triumph, and self-discovery.

Life Below Zero: Next Generation Cast Summary Table

Cast Member	Seasons Active	Region / Base Location	Background	Notable Traits
Chevie & Sonta Roach	S3–S7 + LBZ S23	Shageluk, Alaska	Trapping, hunting, language preservation	Indigenous focus, multigenerational family
Kaleb & Brittany Rowland	S1–S7	McCarthy, Alaska	Contracting, homeschooling, aviation	Family-centered survival, social media updates
Johnny Rolfe	S2–S7 + LBZ S23	Interior Alaska / Brooks Range	Recovery from addiction, cabin-building	Raw emotional honesty, bond with dog Java
Mario Quezada & Clare Calvert	S5–S7	Hayes Creek, Alaska	Army veteran, park ranger, dog sledding	Balanced teamwork, remote homestead building
Alex Javor	S1–S4	Bear Creek / Deadman Lake	Army vet, solo survivalist	Isolation, authenticity, extreme off-grid living
Michael Manzo	S1–S2	Delta Junction, Alaska	Indigenous canoe builder, Army veteran	Native traditions, sled dogs, bushcraft education
Chris & Jessi Morse	S1–S5	Cosna River area	Former Yukon Men cast, young couple	Cabin rebuild, isolation survival, wildfire setback
RJ & Sarah Miller	S4–S5	Southeast Alaska	Tlingit hunters and fur crafters	Traditional tools, youth education, seal hunting