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You buy Ontario peaches exclusively and favour honey your friend harvested from her rooftop bees, but what about keeping your binge-watching tendencies hyper-local, too? Here are seven Canadian TV shows you should be watching, from heartwarming inclusive comedies like Schitt’s Creek to under-the-radar sci-fi with cult followings like Wynonna Earp.

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1. Schitt’s Creek

Genre: Comedy

Comedy Cast: The beloved CBC comedy stars real-life father-and-son duo Dan and Eugene Levy as *fictional* father and son David and Johnny Rose. Eugene’s long-time collaborator Catherine O’Hara plays his wife, Moira, while the inimitable Annie Murphy plays David’s sister, Alexis—yes, the woman behind the now-iconic Schitt’s Creek tagline, “Ew, David!”

The beloved CBC comedy stars real-life father-and-son duo Dan and Eugene Levy as *fictional* father and son David and Johnny Rose. Eugene’s long-time collaborator Catherine O’Hara plays his wife, Moira, while the inimitable Annie Murphy plays David’s sister, Alexis—yes, the woman behind the now-iconic Schitt’s Creek tagline, “Ew, David!” Tell me the plot as quickly as possible: A filthy-rich family suddenly finds themselves broke and is forced to relocate to the small town of Schitt’s Creek where they run a motel. Hi-jinks, romance and unexpected familial bonding ensue.

A filthy-rich family suddenly finds themselves broke and is forced to relocate to the small town of Schitt’s Creek where they run a motel. Hi-jinks, romance and unexpected familial bonding ensue. Why people love it: How much time do you have? Critics love it—Schitt’s Creek was named Best Comedy Series at the 2019 Canadian Screen awards and Dan Levy just won an MTV Movie and TV Awards for Best Comedic Performance—and fans adore the show for its inclusive portrayal of relationships; David Rose is pansexual and has been romantically involved with men and women, most recently stealing everyone’s hearts with his tender relationship with Patrick (played by Noah Reid).

How much time do you have? Critics love it—Schitt’s Creek was named Best Comedy Series at the 2019 Canadian Screen awards and Dan Levy just won an MTV Movie and TV Awards for Best Comedic Performance—and fans adore the show for its inclusive portrayal of relationships; David Rose is pansexual and has been romantically involved with men and women, most recently stealing everyone’s hearts with his tender relationship with Patrick (played by Noah Reid). How to watch it: The series airs on CBC in Canada and the cable network Pop TV in the U.S. Live in a streaming-only household? Fear not—all five seasons of Schitt’s Creek are available to stream for free on CBC Gem .

The series airs on CBC in Canada and the cable network Pop TV in the U.S. Live in a streaming-only household? Fear not—all five seasons of Schitt’s Creek are available to stream for free on . Will it return for another season? The sixth (and final, sob) season will air in 2020.

2. Kim’s Convenience

Genre: Comedy

Comedy Cast: Paul Sun-Hyung Lee stars as Appa, a role for which he won Best Lead Actor in a Comedy at the 2018 Canadian Screen Awards. Jean Yoon plays the role of Umma, while Andrea Bang and Simu Liu star as siblings Janet and Jung, respectively.

Paul Sun-Hyung Lee stars as Appa, a role for which he won Best Lead Actor in a Comedy at the 2018 Canadian Screen Awards. Jean Yoon plays the role of Umma, while Andrea Bang and Simu Liu star as siblings Janet and Jung, respectively. Tell me the plot as quickly as possible: Based on a play by Inis Choi that he wrote as a way of creating a platform for himself and a platform for Asian Canadians, the heartfelt sitcom centres around the Kim family whose parents own a Korean Canadian convenience store.

Based on a play by Inis Choi that he wrote as a way of creating a platform for himself and a platform for Asian Canadians, the heartfelt sitcom centres around the Kim family whose parents own a Korean Canadian convenience store. Why people love it: Fans of the series affectionately call themselves KimBits (cute) so you know the love is real. Critics also heart the show—it has gotten rave reviews from publications like Vulture and the New York Times and has bagged several awards including a Canadian Screen Award in 2018 for Best Comedy Series.

Fans of the series affectionately call themselves KimBits (cute) so you know the love is real. Critics also heart the show—it has gotten rave reviews from publications like Vulture and the New York Times and has bagged several awards including a Canadian Screen Award in 2018 for Best Comedy Series. How to watch: There have been three seasons of the CBC sitcom so far. Season 3 aired in January 2019 on CBC and at press time, two seasons are available to stream on Netflix Canada, but all three seasons are available to stream on CBC Gem.

There have been three seasons of the CBC sitcom so far. Season 3 aired in January 2019 on CBC and at press time, two seasons are available to stream on Netflix Canada, but all three seasons are available to stream on CBC Gem. Will it return for another season? The show has been green lit for a fourth season but TBD on when it will air.

3. Wynonna Earp

Genre: Supernatural/science fiction

Supernatural/science fiction Cast: Melanie Scrofano stars as the titular Wynonna Earp while Schitt’s Creek alum Tim Rozon plays Doc Holliday. Dominique Provost-Chalkley and Katherine Barrell also co-star.

Melanie Scrofano stars as the titular Wynonna Earp while Schitt’s Creek alum Tim Rozon plays Doc Holliday. Dominique Provost-Chalkley and Katherine Barrell also co-star. Tell me the plot as quickly as possible: Based on a comic book created by Beau Smith, Wynonna Earp is a little bit country (Wynonna is the great-great-granddaughter of legendary Western lawman Wyatt Earp) and a little bit supernatural (the Earp offspring battles reincarnated outlaws that Wyatt killed along with other supernatural beings in a cursed area near the Canadian Rockies called the Ghost River Triangle).

Based on a comic book created by Beau Smith, Wynonna Earp is a little bit country (Wynonna is the great-great-granddaughter of legendary Western lawman Wyatt Earp) and a little bit supernatural (the Earp offspring battles reincarnated outlaws that Wyatt killed along with other supernatural beings in a cursed area near the Canadian Rockies called the Ghost River Triangle). Why people love it: To say that Earp has a devoted fan base would be the understatement of the century. They call themselves “Earpers,” naturally, and have been working tirelessly to save the show in light of IDW Publishing’s (which owns the rights to the comic book and TV series) difficulty funding it. Critics love it, too—the sci-fi series won the AMPIA Award for Best Dramatic Series in 2017, a People’s Choice Award for Favourite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show in 2018 and has been nominated for multiple awards from the Canadian Screen Awards over the past three years.

To say that Earp has a devoted fan base would be the understatement of the century. They call themselves “Earpers,” naturally, and have been working tirelessly to save the show in light of IDW Publishing’s (which owns the rights to the comic book and TV series) difficulty funding it. Critics love it, too—the sci-fi series won the AMPIA Award for Best Dramatic Series in 2017, a People’s Choice Award for Favourite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show in 2018 and has been nominated for multiple awards from the Canadian Screen Awards over the past three years. How to watch: Wynonna Earp, which debuted in 2016, airs on the Syfy and Space networks. There have been three seasons so far and praise be, two seasons are available to stream on Netflix Canada.

Wynonna Earp, which debuted in 2016, airs on the Syfy and Space networks. There have been three seasons so far and praise be, two seasons are available to stream on Netflix Canada. Will it return for another season? Jury’s still out on whether or not the show’s creators will be able to afford additional seasons, but if the Earpers have it their way, it’ll have a longer run than Seinfeld.

4. Workin’ Moms

Genre: Comedy

Comedy Cast: This hilarious sitcom stars Catherine Reitman, who has said she created the show after experiencing postpartum depression, alongside Dani Kind, Juno Rinaldi and Jessalyn Wanlim.

This hilarious sitcom stars Catherine Reitman, who has said she created the show after experiencing postpartum depression, alongside Dani Kind, Juno Rinaldi and Jessalyn Wanlim. Tell me the plot as quickly as possible: Four 30-something Toronto moms and besties balance their jobs, kids and love lives.

Four 30-something Toronto moms and besties balance their jobs, kids and love lives. Why people love it: The series was nominated for Canadian Screen Awards in 2018 and 2019, not to mention an International Emmy in 2018 and has gotten praise for its unflinchingly realistic portrayal of motherhood.

The series was nominated for Canadian Screen Awards in 2018 and 2019, not to mention an International Emmy in 2018 and has gotten praise for its unflinchingly realistic portrayal of motherhood. How to watch: Workin’ Moms originally began airing on CBC in January 2017. Three seasons have aired thus far and two of them are available to stream on Netflix Canada. All three can be streamed for free on CBC Gem.

Workin’ Moms originally began airing on CBC in January 2017. Three seasons have aired thus far and two of them are available to stream on Netflix Canada. All three can be streamed for free on CBC Gem. Will it return for another season? It sure will. Workin’ Moms has been renewed for a fourth season, coming to CBC in winter 2020.

5. Orphan Black

Genre: Sci-fi thriller

Sci-fi thriller Cast: The show was led by the inimitable Tatiana Maslany as Sarah Manning; she was supported by Jordan Gavaris, Maria Doyle Kennedy and Kristian Bruun.

The show was led by the inimitable Tatiana Maslany as Sarah Manning; she was supported by Jordan Gavaris, Maria Doyle Kennedy and Kristian Bruun. Tell me the plot as quickly as possible: Drifter Sarah witnesses the suicide of a woman who looks just like her and assumes the identity of the stranger before figuring out that she and the dead woman were actually…clones.

Drifter Sarah witnesses the suicide of a woman who looks just like her and assumes the identity of the stranger before figuring out that she and the dead woman were actually…clones. Why people love it: In its heyday, the series collected countless accolades including nominations for Emmy awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Maslany was nominated for a Golden Globe and three Emmy awards, not to mention several Canadian Awards and ACTRAs; she took home the Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role award at the 2014, 2015, and 2016 Canadian Screen Awards as well as the Critics Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 2013 and 2014.

In its heyday, the series collected countless accolades including nominations for Emmy awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Maslany was nominated for a Golden Globe and three Emmy awards, not to mention several Canadian Awards and ACTRAs; she took home the Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role award at the 2014, 2015, and 2016 Canadian Screen Awards as well as the Critics Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 2013 and 2014. How to watch: The series originally aired from 2013 to 2017 on Space in Canada and BBC America in the US. While there are five seasons total, two seasons are available to stream now on Netflix Canada. *Tweets relentlessly at Netflix Canada until it adds every season to its roster*

6. Anne with an E

Genre: Drama

Drama Cast: Amybeth McNulty stars as Anne Shirley, a role that won her the Canadian Screen Award for Best Lead Actress, Drama Series in 2019. Geraldine James and R.H. Thomson co-star.

Amybeth McNulty stars as Anne Shirley, a role that won her the Canadian Screen Award for Best Lead Actress, Drama Series in 2019. Geraldine James and R.H. Thomson co-star. Tell me the plot as quickly as possible: Anne with an E is loosely based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic novel Anne of Green Gables.

Anne with an E is loosely based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic novel Anne of Green Gables. Why people love it: For one, the show has excellent pedigree—it was created by Breaking Bad producer and writer Moira Walley-Beckett. It has been nominated for many awards at the ACTRA Awards and Canadian Screen Awards and took home the CSA for Best Drama Series in 2018 and 2019.

For one, the show has excellent pedigree—it was created by Breaking Bad producer and writer Moira Walley-Beckett. It has been nominated for many awards at the ACTRA Awards and Canadian Screen Awards and took home the CSA for Best Drama Series in 2018 and 2019. How to watch: The series airs on CBC and has had two seasons so far, both of which are available on CBC Gem. Season one is available to stream on Netflix Canada.

The series airs on CBC and has had two seasons so far, both of which are available on CBC Gem. Season one is available to stream on Netflix Canada. Will it return for another season? Anne has been confirmed for a third season, timing TBD.

7. Baroness von Sketch Show

Genre: Sketch comedy

Sketch comedy Cast: Aurora Browne, Meredith MacNeill, Carolyn Taylor and Jennifer Whalen are all stars and executive producers of the show.

Aurora Browne, Meredith MacNeill, Carolyn Taylor and Jennifer Whalen are all stars and executive producers of the show. Tell me the plot as quickly as possible: Irreverent skits poking fun at contemporary culture.

Irreverent skits poking fun at contemporary culture. Why people love it: It’s an all-female, all-Canadian (including the cast and creators) sketch series—what’s not to love? Critically, it’s been a success as well, winning an ACTRA for Outstanding Performance-Ensemble in 2018, a Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance, Sketch Comedy individual or ensemble in 2018 and CSAs for Best Writing, Variety or Sketch Comedy in 2017 and 2018.

It’s an all-female, all-Canadian (including the cast and creators) sketch series—what’s not to love? Critically, it’s been a success as well, winning an ACTRA for Outstanding Performance-Ensemble in 2018, a Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance, Sketch Comedy individual or ensemble in 2018 and CSAs for Best Writing, Variety or Sketch Comedy in 2017 and 2018. How to watch: The show airs on CBC. There have been three season so far, all of which you can stream on CBC Gem; two of them are available to stream on Netflix Canada. Our American friends can watch it on American cable network IFC.

The show airs on CBC. There have been three season so far, all of which you can stream on CBC Gem; two of them are available to stream on Netflix Canada. Our American friends can watch it on American cable network IFC. Will it return for another season? CBC has renewed it for a fourth season.





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