Son of a Critch is a Canadian sitcom television series, created by Mark Critch and Tim McAuliffe, that premiered on January 4, 2022 on CBC. Based on the memoir of the same name by Critch, the semi-autobiographical series follows an adolescent Mark as he grows up in the 1980s in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The series has been renewed for a fifth and final season, which premiered on September 8, 2026.
Contents
Premise
The series is a coming of age story based on the childhood and adolescence of Canadian comedian Mark Critch. At the start of the series, 11-year-old Mark is growing up in 1980s Newfoundland, where he navigates starting junior high school (at St. Brigit's), making friends, and connecting with the small group of people in his limited world.
By season four: "From Mark's relentless pursuit of his creative dreams to his burgeoning romance with Fox, we'll watch as he devotedly navigates a quickly growing world. It’s a world filled with new promise, potential and love. And he won't be alone. Every member of his household will also be chasing something greater."
Cast and characters
Main
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Mark Critch
Mark Critch as Mike Critch, Mark's father, a news reporter for radio station VOCM
Mark Critch narrates the series as his adult self
Claire Rankin as Mary Critch, Mark's mother
Malcolm McDowell as Patrick "Pop" Critch, Mark's grandfather
Colton Gobbo as Mike Critch Jr., Mark's older brother
Sophia Powers as Jennifer Fox, nicknamed Fox, who is Mark's classmate and girlfriend
Mark Rivera as Ritchie Perez, Mark's best friend, and a Filipino-Canadian
Richard Clarkin as Dick Dunphy, Mike's coworker at VOCM
Recurring
Lawrence Barry as Mr. Chafe, the Vice-Principal of Mark's school
Petrina Bromley as Sister Margaret (season 1) and Ms Fowler (season 2), Mark's homeroom teacher
Pete Soucy as Officer Butt, the local constable
Stephen Payette as Silver Fox, Jennifer Fox's eldest brother
Teigan Follett as Middle Fox, Jennifer Fox's older brother
Nate Penney as the youngest "Baby" Fox sibling
Nicole Underhay as Suzanne, Fox's mother
Steve O'Connell as Greg, Fox's absentee father
Maya McNair as Cara, Mark's school friend
Daisy Harris as Tina, a student in Mark's class
Caroline Mangosing as Mrs. Perez, Ritchie's mom
Eugene Sampang as Mr. Perez, Ritchie's dad
Rory Lambert as Mr. Byrne, the gym teacher
Mack Barfoot as Mr. Murphy, owner of VOCM
Susan Kelsey as Gertie, secretary at VOCM
Justin Nurse as Paul Royle, Suzanne Fox's new husband and real estate agent
Ashley Dingwell as Amanda, Dick Dunphy's estranged daughter and Mike Jr.'s girlfriend
Guest
Greg Malone as Father Moore
Richard Waugh as Brendan Critch, Mark's uncle
Dana Puddicombe as Mary's hospital nurse
Mark McKinney as The Unfathomable Hudaro
Alice Krige as Millicent Hearn, an old friend of Pop
Jay Baruchel as Scott Howell, rival radio station owner (VOAQ)
Sherry Miller as Johanna Clarke, Mary's mother
Peter Keleghan as Bill, the Reach for the Top quizmaster
Robert Joy as Poppy Bell, Mary's father
Jim Payne as Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
Jayne Eastwood as the wife of the Premier of NL
Dylan Hawco as Brad, high school hockey team star
Rick Mercer as Bill Bartlet, owner of Bartlet's Bargain Cars and the new owner of VOCM
Kevin Blackmore as Buddy Wasisname
Sara Hinding as Kate, Pop's deceased wife
Susan Kent as Linda Lahey, instructor and CEO of Kareer Kollege
Geri Hall as Amanda's mother
Will Coombs as Stephen Rex, Mark's actor friend
Development
Conception
In 2018, Critch published a memoir about his childhood in Newfoundland. Following its release, McAuliffe suggested developing the book into a television series, which led to him and Critch creating scripts to pitch to various networks. In June 2021, CBC announced they had ordered Son of a Critch to series.
Production and distribution
The series made its Canadian broadcast premiere on CBC Television on January 4, 2022, as well as CBC's streaming platform, CBC Gem.
Production companies involved with the series include Project 10 Productions, and Take the Shot Productions. Lionsgate distributes the series outside Canada.
On February 28, 2022, CBC renewed the series for a second season.
Canadian actor/producer Allan Hawco serves as executive producer for the series through his company Hawco Productions. Hawco and Mark Critch are old friends.
On March 23, 2023, the series was renewed for a third season, with The CW joining CBC and Lionsgate as a distribution company.
On May 23, 2024, the series was renewed for a fourth season that premiered on January 7, 2025.
The series has been renewed for a fifth season. On May 4, 2026, the fifth season was confirmed to be the final season.
Episodes
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 100% based on six critic reviews.
Son of a Critch was watched by an average of 941,000 viewers on its January 4, 2022 Canadian debut; it was the 28th most-watched program in Canada that week.
At the 11th Canadian Screen Awards (held in 2023), Son of a Critch was nominated for four awards and one audience award. The show was nominated for seven awards at the 12th Canadian Screen Awards in 2024 and won the Cogeco Fund Audience Choice.
International broadcast
Paramount+ acquired streaming rights to the series in the UK in 2022.
In Ireland, the show broadcasts on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player
.
In the United States, the series premiered on July 24, 2023, on The CW (although some US markets near the Canadian border who receive CBC Television are ahead in episodes). Season two premiered on October 26, 2023. Season three premiered on January 25, 2024. The CW opted not to renew distribution for further seasons.
Starting in 2025, the series became available on Netflix in Canada and the United States.