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 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. ItâÂÂs 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."
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.
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 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.
Paramount+ acquired streaming rights to the series in the UK in 2022.
In Ireland, the show broadcasts on RTÃÂ One and RTÃÂ 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.
Starting in 2025, the series became available on Netflix in Canada and the United States.