Original Comedy Series “Son of a Critch” From Award-Winning Comedian, Actor and Author Mark Critch To Premiere on The CW Network This Summer
Series from the Producers of “Schitt’s Creek” and “The Office” Co-Stars Golden Globe® and SAG Nominee Malcolm McDowell
May 8, 2023 (Burbank, CA) — The CW Network has partnered with CBC and Lionsgate Television for the original comedy series SON OF A CRITCH from acclaimed comedian, actor and writer Mark Critch, it was announced today by Brad Schwartz, President of Entertainment, The CW Network. From Andrew Barnsley, the Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winning executive producer of “Schitt’s Creek,” and Tim McAuliffe, writer of “The Office” and “Last Man on Earth,” and starring Golden Globe® nominee Malcolm McDowell, the 13-episode first season of SON OF A CRITCH will debut on The CW in Summer 2023.
“Andrew and I had a ton of fun and success together on ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ and I can’t wait for everyone to see his newest hilarious and heartwarming series,” commented Schwartz. “SON OF A CRITCH is a truly unique family comedy about adolescent adventures and those awkward and relatable growing pains. We are thrilled to work with Tim, Mark and a pitch-perfect cast, led by an award-worthy performance by Malcolm McDowell.”
“When I was a young kid watching American TV in the ‘80s, I never dreamed that one day my own story would be beamed back over the border,” said Critch. “Having enjoyed so many CW shows with my own family, I’m excited to invite our American friends over to ‘my house.’ Onwards!”
“We are pleased to be reunited with our friend Brad Schwartz and his team at The CW,” said Ryan Lowerre, Lionsgate President of Domestic Television Distribution. “SON OF A CRITCH boasts a great cast, award-winning producers and a sensibility informed by the comic genius of creator Mark Critch. It comes from our longstanding relationship with the CBC, where it has already enjoyed two hit seasons, and we know it will delight audiences in its new U.S. home on The CW.”
Based on the award-winning, bestselling memoir from Mark Critch (“This Hour Has 22 Minutes”), SON OF A CRITCH is the hilarious and very real story of a young Mark coming of age in the 1980s. The series is a heartfelt window in the life of a child—who is 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. The comedy stars Mark Critch as his father, Mike, and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (Pinocchio) as young Mark. Claire Rankin (Molly’s Game) stars as Mark’s mother, Mary, alongside newcomers Sophia Powers and Mark Rivera, who play classmates of young Mark. Colton Gobbo (“Ginny & Georgia”) plays Mark’s older brother, Mike Jr., and Golden Globe® and SAG nominee Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange, Bombshell) also stars as Patrick “Pop” Critch.
SON OF A CRITCH’s premiere season in Canada ranked as the #1 scripted program on CBC in key audience demos. Since its premiere, it has ranked as one of the top 5 most-watched Canadian comedies overall, and Season 2 was the most-watched English-language Canadian comedy series and CBC’s most-watched program with 18-49 and 25-54 audiences. The series has received four prestigious Canadian Screen Award nominations and two Directors Guild of Canada nominations. SON OF A CRITCH was recently renewed for a third season and will be produced in association with The CW.
SON OF A CRITCH is created by Mark Critch and Tim McAuliffe (“The Office,” “Last Man on Earth”) and produced by Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winning producer Andrew Barnsley (“Schitt’s Creek”). The series is a co-production between Barnsley’s Project 10 Productions Inc. and Take the Shot Productions in association with CBC and Lionsgate Television, which handles worldwide distribution rights. SON OF A CRITCH is executive produced by Critch, McAuliffe, Barnsley and Allan Hawco. Renuka Jeyapalan, Perry Chafe, Amanda Joy and Anita Kapila serve as co-executive producers with Jeyapalan directing the first four episodes of the series.
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About The CW Network
The CW Network, LLC is one of America’s major broadcast networks and reaches 100% of US markets. The CW delivers 14 hours of primetime programming per week in addition to sports and other entertainment programming and is the exclusive broadcast home to LIV Golf. The fully ad-supported CW App, with over 92 million downloads to date, is available for free to consumers on all major platforms and is home to the latest episodes and seasons of The CW’s primetime programming, live streaming of its sports content, and a library of entertaining film and television content for on-demand viewing. The CW is 75%-owned by Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST), a leading diversified media company and largest CW affiliate group with 37 CW and CW Plus affiliates, covering 32% of the population. For more information about The CW, please visit www.cwtv.com.
About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium global subscription platform to bring 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 an 18,000-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 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.
Media Contacts:
For The CW:
Beth Feldman, 646/563-8334
Beth.Feldman@cwtv.com
Rob Moynihan, 760/519-5543
Rob.Moynihan@cwtvconsultant.com
For Lionsgate:
Laurel Pecchia, 310/255-5114
lpecchia@lionsgate.com
For CBC:
Elizabeth Reid, 416/985.1384
elizabeth.reid@cbc.ca
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