Canada’s CBC slates more than 40 new and returning titles for 2022/23

Canadian public broadcaster CBC has revealed a slate of more than 40 new and returning titles for its 2022/23 broadcast season, including six new dramas, five newly commissioned factual titles and a pair of comedies.

Barbara Williams

On the drama front, CBC has greenlit the five-part limited family drama Essex County (5×60’, First Generation Films), based on a graphic novel trilogy from Canadian author and producer Jeff Lemire, about four disparate characters linked by their bloodline.

The broadcaster also ordered an English-language adaptation of Radio-Canada’s popular French-language psychological drama Plan B, which was named best scripted format at the C21 International Format Awards in 2020. The 6×60’ English-language remake, produced by Quebec prodco KOTV, follows a man who goes back in time in an attempt to save his relationship.

The broadcaster revealed its new programming lineup at a virtual upfronts presentation held on Wednesday.

Also on the dramatic docket for CBC are the previously announced series Bones of Crows (5×60’, Marie Clements Media, Screen Siren Pictures, Grana Productions); Skymed (9×60’, Piazza Entertainment), which was commissioned with streamer Paramount+; and UK/Canada treaty coproduction The North Water (6×60’, Rhombus Media, See-Saw Films).

CBC also handed renewals to Diggstown (S4; Circle Blue Entertainment, Freddie Films, Waterstar Entertainment); Heartland (S16; Dynamo Films, Seven24 Films), Moonshine (S2; Six Eleven Media, Entertainment One); Murdoch Mysteries (S16; Shaftesbury); and Pretty Hard Cases (S3; Cameron Pictures).

On the factual side, CBC has ordered competition reality series Canada’s Ultimate Challenge (8×60’, Insight Productions, The Gurin Company), which sees inspirational coaches guiding everyday Canadians through a series of physical and mental challenges.

Stuff the British Stole (6×30’, Wooden Horse, WildBear Entertainment, Cream Productions), a co-commission from Australia’s ABC and CBC, also got the green light. It is based on an Australian podcast about some of the objects the British Empire allegedly stole.

The pubcaster also ordered Bollywed (10×30’, HeartHat Entertainment), a factual series following a family that has been running an iconic bridal shop in Toronto’s Little India for the past 37 years; and Lido TV (6×20’, Lido Pimienta TV, Visitor Media), a variety show designed to help people cope in a world that feels like it’s falling apart.

Also set to air on September 25 on CBC and its streamer CBC Gem is The Legacy Awards (Insight Productions, Bay Mills Studios), which is the first major Canadian awards show created specifically to recognise the country’s black talent.

Absent from the 2022/23 lineup are sketch comedy Tallboyz (Accent Entertainment) and procedural Coroner (Muse Entertainment, Back Alley Films, Cineflix Studios), which have been cancelled after their third and fourth seasons, respectively.

CBC’s returning factual shows include Race Against The Tide (S2; Marblemedia), Dragons’ Den (S17), Family Feud Canada (S4; Zone 3, Fremantle), The Great Canadian Baking Show (S6; Proper Television, Love Productions), Best in Miniature (S2; Marblemedia) and Still Standing (S8; Frantic Films).

Two new docuseries were also unveiled: Summit ‘72 (4×60’, Mercury Films, Impossible Objects), which explores the 1972 Canada-USSR Summit Series of Hockey exactly 50 years after it took place; and Stay Tooned (6×22’, Fathom Film Group), which examines how iconic cartoon characters have shaped us into who we are today.

A pair of new comedies are also heading to the pubcaster this fall, including Comedy Night with Rick Mercer (8×60’, Just For Laughs TV, Counterfeit Pictures), which sees Canadian TV personality Mercer conducting interviews with new and notable comedians and performing his own stand-up sets. Also set for this fall is the previously announced CBC Gem comedy Fakes (10×30’, Reality Distortion Field), a CBC/Netflix co-commission about two best friends who accidentally build one of the largest fake ID empires in North America.

CBC also handed season-two renewals to Sort Of (8×30’, Sphere Media’s Sienna Films), Kim’s Convenience spin-off Strays (10×30’, Thunderbird Entertainment), Run the Burbs (13×30’, Pier 21 Films) and Son of a Critch (13×30’, Project 10 Productions). Workin’ Moms (Wolf + Rabbit Entertainment) was also renewed for a 13-episode seventh season.

In addition, CBC revealed two new kids’ series: animated musical adventure series Jeremy & Jazzy (27×2’, Vérité Films) and preschool show Mittens & Pants (39×7, Windy Isle Productions, Thunderbird Entertainment).

“No other media company in Canada offers the remarkable range of homegrown storytelling that we do, fulfilling the opportunity for people in communities across the country to see themselves represented in new ways,” said Barbara Williams, executive VP at CBC.

“No one else does and no one else will tell the stories that we tell, reaching an audience that is inclusive and reflective of the changing face of Canada.”