Son of a Critch continues to be the most-watched original Canadian comedy series in Canada and one of the most-streamed comedies on CBC Gem
2024 Canadian Screen Award Winner of the Cogeco Fund Audience Choice Award
CBC, Canada’s national public broadcaster, and global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), today announced the start of principal photography has begun on the fourth season of the hit original comedy series SON OF A CRITCH (13 x 30) in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The celebrated series was recently recognized with the Cogeco Fund Audience Choice Award at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards. Based on comedian Mark Critch’s award-winning, best-selling memoir of the same name, SON OF A CRITCH is a heartfelt window into the life of now 14-year-old Mark – much older than his years – coming of age in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The new season will premiere winter 2025 on CBC Gem and CBC TV in Canada. Lionsgate handles worldwide distribution rights outside of Canada.
Since the series first premiered in January 2022, SON OF A CRITCH has continued to rank as the most-watched original Canadian comedy in the country and as one of the top 5 most-watched comedies overall in Canada.* It also continues to be one of the most-streamed comedies on CBC Gem.**
In Season 4, Mark begins high school on the cusp of a new decade and finds himself once again at the bottom rung. From his relentless pursuit of his creative dreams to his burgeoning romance with Fox, we’ll watch as Mark navigates a quickly growing world filled with new promise, potential and love. In this new era of video dance parties, political shifts, and digital transformation, Mark won’t be alone in his chase for something greater: his inner circle of family and close friends also finds itself caught up in the winds of change.
“We’re thrilled to roll into the 90s with Mark as he finds his way in high school and are looking forward to sharing this exciting new season with audiences,” say creators, showrunners and executive producers Mark Critch and Tim McAuliffe.
SON OF A CRITCH stars Mark Critch portraying his own father, Mike, while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (The Haunting of Bly Manor, Pinocchio) plays young Mark. Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange, Entourage) is his grandfather, Pop; Claire Rankin (Stargate Atlantis) plays his mother Mary; Colton Gobbo (Ginny & Georgia) as his older brother Mike Jr; Mark Rivera is his best friend Ritche; and Sophia Powers (Fourth Down and Love) is Fox, now officially Mark’s girlfriend.
Returning cast members include Richard Clarkin as Dick, Nicole Underhay as Fox’s mom Suzanne, Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll as Father Garcia, and Nora McLellan as Sister Rose.
SON OF A CRITCH was created by showrunners Mark Critch (This Hour Has 22 Minutes) and Tim McAuliffe (The Office, Last Man on Earth, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and This Hour Has 22 Minutes) and is produced by Project 10 Productions and Hawco Productions in association with CBC and Lionsgate Television.
Executive producers are Critch, McAuliffe, Emmy® and Golden Globe® winning producer Andrew Barnsley (Schitt’s Creek), and Allan Hawco (Republic of Doyle). Perry Chafe and Amanda Joy serve as co-executive producers, Janine Squires, Erin Sullivan and John Vatcher are producers, and Shelby Bronstine is series producer. Series directors this season are John Vatcher (Caught), Deanne Foley (Son of a Critch), Joyce Wong (Sort Of), and Vanessa Matsui (Ghost BFF).
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.
Hi-res photo available to download here.
*Source: Numeris TV Meter, 9/18/2023 - 4/14/2024, Total TV English, Ind.2+, M-Su 7p-11p, Total Canada, AMA, generated by Instar.
**Source: Adobe Analytics, CBC Production, OTT Segment, On-Demand Video segment, Total Content Starts, Sept. 1, 2023-Apr. 30. 2024
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About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations and the STARZ premium global subscription platform, bringing a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. The Company’s film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a more than 20,000-title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.
About Lionsgate Studios
Lionsgate Studios (NASDAQ: LION) is one of the world's leading standalone, pure play, publicly-traded content companies. It brings together diversified motion picture and television production and distribution businesses, a world-class portfolio of valuable brands and franchises, a talent management and production powerhouse and a more than 20,000-title film and television library, all driven by Lionsgate Studios’ bold and entrepreneurial culture.
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 Inc.
Established in 2009, Project 10 is a television production company based in Toronto specializing in scripted comedy. As a go-to partner for domestic and international creators, broadcasters, streamers, and distributors alike, the company works closely with high-profile talent to develop and produce compelling and innovative content for the worldwide marketplace.
Project 10 specializes in production and creative services and has a proven track record of generating world-class episodic television. The company is currently producing the hit comedy SON OF A CRITCH (39 x 30) for CBC. Recently sold internationally, the first season debuted as the most-watched original Canadian comedy in the country and continues to be one of the most-streamed comedies on streaming service CBC Gem. Season 4 begins production in Summer of 2024.
Project 10 recently produced the highly anticipated return of THE KIDS IN THE HALL in partnership with Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video for Amazon Prime. As well, the company’s three-season hit CTV series JANN (22 x 30), co-created by and starring award-winning recording artist Jann Arden, continues to stream on the streaming service Crave. Project 10’s credits also include the sitcom SPUN OUT (26 x 30) for CTV, the Family Channel/Netflix series MY PERFECT LANDING (15 x 30), the digital series TOM GREEN’S SNOW JAM for CBC Comedy, the sports documentary series, SPORTS ON FIRE (6 x 30) for TMN and Movie Central, and the award-winning feature documentary, SPIRIT UNFORGETTABLE for HBO Canada.
Principal executives for Project 10 Productions Inc. are Chief Executive Officer Andrew Barnsley, an Executive Producer on CBC/PopTV’s SCHITT’S CREEK, which won a record-setting nine EMMY Awards including Best Comedy Series in 2020; and Chief Operating Officer Brandon Davis.
About Hawco Productions
Hawco Productions is a film and television production company with offices in both St. John’s, NL, and Toronto, ON. Founded by actor, writer and producer Allan Hawco, Hawco Productions combines originality with a strategic approach to production. With a diverse portfolio and a strong foothold in the Canadian entertainment industry, Hawco Productions continues to be a driving force in shaping the landscape of scripted television.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Lisa Ghione
Unit Publicist, SON OF A CRITCH
Elizabeth Reid
CBC PR
