5 Canadian TV Shows We Can’t Wait to Watch in 2023
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However, considering the abundance of series available, deciding which shows to prioritize this year can be an oddly daunting task. And it can be even harder if you’re a fan of Canadian TV; despite producing a long list of award-winning shows, Canada’s content doesn’t always receive the same media attention as tentpole American offerings, such as Stranger Things or Game of Thrones.
Luckily for you, we’ve rounded up a handful of 2023’s most exciting Canadian TV offerings. Make sure to add these to your watchlist!
Most Anticipated 2023 Canadian TV Shows
Son of a Critch Season 2
Hit CBC show “Son of a Critch” returns in 2023 for a highly-anticipated second season. Executive produced by Toronto Film School’s president Andrew Barnsley, the series blends scripted and unscripted elements to tell the story of Young Mark, an 11-year-old kid who is a little too wise beyond his years.
Distinctly Canadian, the show is set in 1980s Newfoundland and is based on the childhood of beloved Canadian comedian Mark Critch. The series follows Mark as he navigates the trials and tribulations of tweenhood. In the show’s second season, Mark is confronted with yet another school year, where he’ll deal with bullies, budding romances, and more. Based on the first few episodes, you can expect plenty of hoots and heartaches this season as the show’s writers once again expertly blend comedy with emotion.
Premiere: January 3, 2023
A CBC production created by Mark Critch and Time McAuliffe. Starring Mark Critch, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, and Malcolm McDowell.
Notable TFS Alumni: Shelby Bronstine, Manager of Business Affairs and Operations
Run the Burbs Season 2
Season two of “Run The Burbs” premiered on January 4th and is off to a strong start. The show, which is one of CBC’s newer and most popular family offerings, was co-created by “Kim Convenience” star Andrew Phung and Rakhee Morzaria. It follows a young multicultural Canadian family as they embark on an unconventional journey to make the most of suburban life.
Much like the first season, you can expect round two with the Pham fam to be jam-packed with dad jokes (that are actually funny), heart-warming family moments, and, at times, poignant social commentary.
Premiere: January 4, 2023
A CBC production created by Andrew Phung and Rakhee Morzaria. Starring Andrew Phung, Rakhee Morzaria, and Ali Hassan
Wong & Winchester (NEW)
Set to premiere on CityTV on January 17th, “Wong & Winchester” is one of the most buzzed-about crime comedies coming out of Canada this year. The new series follows a Chinese-Canadian detective who, to her dismay, gets paired up with a younger and notably naive newcomer.
Despite their differing views on work, leisure, politics, culture – just about everything, really – the duo must work closely together to crack a new case every week. With a diverse cast and themes related to cultural and generational identity, “Wong & Winchester” promises to be a refreshing addition to Canada’s television landscape.
Premiere: January 17, 2023
A CityTV production created by Hollis Ludlow-Carroll. Starring Grace Lynn Kung and Sofia Banzhaf
Battle of the Generations (NEW)
Premiering this February on CTV, “Battle of the Generations” is an all-new quiz show hosted by comedian and actress Lilly Singh. As its name suggests, the primetime series’ central schtick is that it pits the generations against one another. In every episode, a Boomer, Millennial, and Gen Zer will square off to compete for a cash prize of up to $25,000.
Considering generational tensions appear to be at an all-time high – think the rise of OK, Boomer and, later, the moment “cheugy” entered the Gen Z lexicon – “Battle of the Generations” is set to be both timely and hilarious.
Premiere: January 17, 2023
A CTV production. Starring Lilly Singh
Red Ketchup (NEW)
Corus Entertainment has announced an all-new animated series called “Red Ketchup,” which is set to air on Adult Swim sometime in 2023. The new show is based on the cult Quebecois comic series by the same name, which was created in the 1980s by Pierre Fournier and Réal Godbout.
The highly-stylized series is set in 1983 and follows FBI agent Red Ketchup, an overly macho maverick whose reckless tactics make him both an invaluable asset and an unpredictable liability to his organization.
Premiere: January 17, 2023
A Corus Entertainment and Sphere Animation production created by Martin Villeneuve and based on a graphic novel series by Pierre Fournier and Réal GodboutSome
More Shows We’re Excited About
Working Moms (Final Season)
Premiere: January 3, 2023
Notable TFS Alumni: Mousa Ghodratifard, 3rd Assistant Director
Sort Of (Season 3)
Premiere: TBA
Notable TFS Alumni: Maxine Clement, Assistant to Creator Fab Filippo
Canada’s Drag Race (Season 4)
Premiere: TBA
PUSH (NEW)
Premiere: February 24
Plan B (NEW)
Premiere: February 27
Bria Mack Gets a Life (NEW)
Premiere: TBA
Bones of Crows (NEW)
Premiere: TBA
Canadian TV Is Set to Shine in 2023
Based on this list, it’s pretty clear that 2023 is shaping up to be a stand-out year for homegrown Canadian programming. From the buzzed-about new crime comedy “Wong & Winchester” to the highly-anticipated return of “Son of a Critch,” there is certainly no shortage of new and returning series to be excited about.
Naturally, this shifts the problem from picking the right Canadian programs to scheduling enough time to watch them all! So go forth and begin your year of bingeing!
Oh, and one more thing: if you’d like to learn more about how Canadian shows like these are actually made, subscribe to Toronto Film School’s Youtube Channel! It’s packed with insightful, industry-focused content.
