Based on the Best-Selling Memoir by Critch and Starring Critch, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth and Malcolm McDowell,
Production Starts Today in Newfoundland
Lionsgate Bringing the Series to the U.S. and International Market;
Series to Premiere on CBC in Canada January 2022
CBC, Canada’s public broadcaster, and global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) are partnering with “Schitt’s Creek” Emmy® and Golden Globe® winning producer Andrew Barnsley and comedian-actor-writer Mark Critch to bring “Son of a Critch” (13x30) to audiences in Canada, the U.S. and around the world. Created by Critch and Tim McAuliffe (“The Office,” “Last Man on Earth,” and the upcoming “MacGruber” series) and based on Critch’s award-winning, best-selling memoir Son of a Critch: A Childish Newfoundland Memoir, the CBC original series will premiere on CBC TV and CBC Gem in Canada in January 2022, with Lionsgate handling U.S. and international distribution rights.
“Son of a Critch” is the hilarious and very real story of 11-year-old Mark coming of age in St. John’s, Newfoundland in the 80’s. It’s a heartfelt window into the life of a child - much older inside than his 11 years - using comedy and self-deprecation to win friends and connect with the small collection of people in his limited world. With production starting today in St. John’s, Newfoundland, the comedy stars Mark Critch as his father and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (Pinocchio) as young Mark. Ainsworth can currently be seen as one of the leads in the limited series “The Haunting of Bly Manor” for director Mike Flanagan on Netflix, and stars as Pinocchio opposite Tom Hanks in Walt Disney Pictures’ upcoming live action remake of Pinocchio for director Robert Zemeckis. Additionally, Claire Rankin (Molly’s Game) has been cast as Mark’s mother, Mary, alongside newcomers Sophia Powers and Mark Rivera, who are cast as classmates of young Mark. Golden Globe nominee Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange) to star as Pop.
The project is a very personal one for both Critch and McAuliffe, as the two have been friends dating back to working on “This Hour has 22 Minutes” together. “I’ve been listening to the hilarious stories of Mark’s youth in Newfoundland for years, and it’s amazing to now be a part of bringing them to life on screen,” said McAuliffe.
“I’m thrilled to kick off production on Son of a Critch with such a talented young actor like Benjamin playing my kid self,” said Critch. “Everyone working on the project is incredibly supportive of my vision and, with world-class partners like Lionsgate and CBC, I know my story is in the best hands.”
“We’re excited to reunite with Andrew and his incredible team at Project 10, led by President Ben Murray, and to be working with Tim and comedy genius Mark Critch in bringing his hilarious and heartfelt life story to television screens,” said Lionsgate Television Group Chairman Kevin Beggs and President of Lionsgate Worldwide Television Distribution Jim Packer. “Son of a Critch is clever and entertaining with all the elements of a premium comedy series that will resonate with audiences in the U.S. and abroad.”
“Son of a Critch shares the same warm-hearted values and celebration of family and friendship that hit CBC comedies including Schitt’s Creek have become known for worldwide,” said Sally Catto, General Manager, Entertainment, Factual & Sports, CBC. “We are delighted to partner with Mark, Tim, Andrew, Project 10 and Lionsgate on this new, authentic coming-of-age story that will charm audiences in Canada and around the world.”
“If you’ve read Mark’s memoir, you’ll find watching the series just as enjoyable and if you haven’t, you’ll discover how captivating and out-of-this-world funny he is,” said Barnsley. “We have a stellar creative team, amazing IP and great partners in Lionsgate and CBC, and we can’t wait to make Son of a Critch another Canadian original comedy with international reach,” added Murray from Project 10.
A CBC original series, “Son of a Critch” is an inter-provincial co-production between Barnsley’s Project 10 Productions Inc. and Newfoundland-based Take the Shot Productions in association with CBC and Lionsgate Television, and executive produced by Critch, McAuliffe, Barnsley, Ben Murray and Allan Hawco. Renuka Jeyapalan and Anita Kapila serve as co-executive producers with Jeyapalan directing the first four episodes of the series. For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment, Factual & Sports; Trish Williams is Executive Director, Scripted Content; Sandra Picheca is Director, Current Production, Comedy; and Greig Dymond is Executive in Charge of Production and Head of Festivals, Comedy.
Link to headshots here.
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth is represented by ICM, Mark Jermin Management and Alan Siegel Entertainment. Malcolm McDowell is represented by Chris Roe Management.
About Lionsgate
Combining the STARZ premium global subscription platform with world-class motion picture and television studio operations, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) brings a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. Its film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 17,000-title library and the largest collection of film and television franchises in the independent media space. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for the audiences it serves worldwide.
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic Chinese, Punjabi and Tagalog, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.
About Project 10 Productions
Project 10 Productions Inc. was established in 2009 with offices in Toronto and Los Angeles. They are committed to building long term talent relationships in the development and creation of original content. The company specializes in production and creative services and has a proven track record of generating world class episodic television for the global market. Project 10 is currently producing the 8-episode return of THE KIDS IN THE HALL for Amazon Prime in partnership with Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video. The company is also currently in post-production on the third season of the series JANN, co-created by and starring Jann Arden, currently airing on CTV in Canada and Hulu in the US (22 x ½ hour). Other recent production credits include the 15 x ½ hour Family Channel series MY PERFECT LANDING, the digital series TOM GREEN’S SNOW JAM for CBC Comedy, the 26 x ½ hour comedy SPUN OUT for CTV, the 6 x ½ hour doc series, Sports On Fire for TMN and Movie Central and the award-winning feature documentary, Spirit Unforgettable for HBO Canada. The principal executives for Project 10 Productions Inc. are Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Barnsley – who served as Executive Producer on CBC/PopTV’s SCHITT’S CREEK, which won a record-setting nine EMMY Awards including Best Comedy Series in 2020, and President, Ben Murray. Leveraging their considerable strengths and decades of experience with those of partner and three-time MLB All-Star Vernon Wells, Project 10 brings compelling content to the worldwide marketplace in innovative ways.
About Take the Shot Productions
Take The Shot Productions Inc. has developed and produced award winning content that has garnered critical and commercial success, both domestically and globally. Past productions include series Republic of Doyle on CBC and Netflix Original Scripted Series Frontier starring Game of Thrones and Aquaman’s Jason Momoa. The TTS produced CBC Original Series Caught premiered in February of 2018, starring Allan Hawco, Paul Gross, and Tori Anderson.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Margot Hadaya
CBC
Cristina Castañeda
Lionsgate
