Son of a Critch

Son of a Critch is a Canadian comedy television series, created by Mark Critch and Tim McAuliffe, that premiered on January 4, 2022 on CBC Television. 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.

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.

Main

 * Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Mark Critch, who is starting junior high school in the first season
 * 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, called "Fox" and in Mark's class, whose family are bullies. She has a crush on Mark, but hides it by bullying him.
 * Mark Rivera as Ritche Perez, Mark's best friend, and a Filipino Canadian who is the only person of color at St.Brigit's school
 * Richard Clarkin as Dick Dunphy, Mike's coworker at VOCM

Supporting

 * Nora McLellan as Sister Rose, the Principal of Mark's school
 * Lawrence Barry as Mr. Chafe, the Vice-Principal of Mark's school
 * Petrina Bromley as Sister Margaret, and later Ms Fowler, Mark's homeroom teacher (seasons 1 & 2)
 * Pete Soucy as Officer Butt, the local constable
 * Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll as Father Garcia
 * Stephen Payette and Teigan Follett as Silver Fox and Middle Fox, Jennifer Fox's older brothers
 * Nicole Underhay as Suzanne, Fox's mother
 * Steve O'Connell as Fox's father
 * Nate Penney as the youngest Fox sibling
 * 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
 * Kate Corbett as Sister Perpetua, Mark's homeroom teacher (season 3)
 * Mack Barfoot as Mr. Murphy, owner of VOCM
 * Susan Kelsey as Gertie, secretary at VOCM

Guest stars

 * 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, 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

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.

On March 23, 2023, the series was renewed for a third season with The CW joining CBC and Lionsgate to co-produce.

On May 23, 2024, the series was renewed for a fourth season which will air in Winter 2025.

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, and was the 28th most-watched program in Canada that week.

In 2023 at the 11th Canadian Screen Awards Son of a Critch was nominated for 4 awards and 1 audience award. The show was nominated for 7 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 British Isles in 2022.

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.