In the age of digital information and streaming, we have more access to international TV than ever before. Anyone can enjoy Canadian TV, yes, even you. In the aughts, Trailer Park Boys made a big splash and swept across international audiences like a tidal wave, later, the Letterkenny crew, but they’re not the only ones worth watching! The Great White North has some gems that you’ve probably never seen, and should! Here’s a list of the 5 best Canadian TV shows you probably missed (but shouldn’t have).
5 Best Canadian TV Shows To Never Miss
1. Corner Gas (2004)
The community surrounding an independently owned gas station and the adjoining Ruby Cafe, in Dog River, Saskatchewan, Canada, is small and full of interesting personalities. Corner Gas is a charming sitcom sans laugh track that is the perfect background noise show. It has quick cuts to visual bits in much the same style as Scrubs, with a simple episodic narrative that means you can jump into any episode and familiarize yourself with the cast of zany characters. It follows Brent (Brent Butt), Lacey (Gabrielle Miller), Hank (Fred Ewanuick), and Wanda (Nancy Robertson) most closely as they live and interact with the community at large. At a half-hour per episode, Corner Gas is the perfect nothing show.
2. Republic of Doyle (2010)
Crime, sex, drugs, and Newfies. Republic of Doyle follows a family-owned private investigation business in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. This one-hour serial dramedy is impossibly charming and a fantastic binge-watch. Jake Doyle (Allan Hawco) is a charismatic, leading private investigator who will stop at nothing to get to the truth and see justice served. As such, he frequently works in tandem with Constable Leslie Bennett (Krystin Pellerin) of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (the provincial police service). The setting is quaint and modern all at the same time, with an amazing cast. Bonus, there are videos of Allan Hawco doing interviews with George Stroumboulopoulos.
3. Kim’s Convenience (2016)
With Paul Sun-Hyung Lee making a splash playing Uncle Iroh in the latest Avatar: The Last Airbender title, and Simu Liu reaching Marvel-ous new heights, what better time to talk about Kim’s Convenience? This show is comforting, sweet, and familiar to anybody whose family can be a little overbearing. It takes place within the immigrant-dense community in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where Mr. Sang-il Kim (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) runs his convenience store with his wife, Mrs. Yung-mi Kim (Jean Yoon), and his daughter, Janet Kim (Andrea Bang). The show is a 30-minute serial comedy that’s extremely heartwarming.
4. Mr. D (2012)
If you’re at all into cringeworthy comedy, this is the show for you. Mr. D follows Gerry Duncan (Gerry Dee) as a single, underqualified, crass teacher at the prestigious Xavier Academy under vice principal Robert Cheeley (Johnathan Torrens) as he tries to navigate the social landscape of his new job. This show is ridiculous and will have you hiding away from second-hand embarrassment.
5. North of North (2025)
This one is new, so we’re throwing it in so you don’t miss it. North of North is a fantastic little slice of life dramedy that takes place in the tiny Arctic community of Ice Cove. It follows newly single Inuk mother Siaja (Anna Lambe) as she navigates unfamiliar territory in her small town where everyone knows everybody else’s business. Raised by a single mother herself, Siaja grew up to marry the town’s golden boy, Ting (Kelly Williams), and have a gorgeous little girl. On the surface, her life was perfect, but she needed more. This is a fantastic watch if you’re looking for something new.
Honorable Mentions
Of course, this wouldn’t be a Canadian TV list if these weren’t at least mentioned, so here are the titles that didn’t quite make the list:
- Reboot (1994)
- Raccoons (1985)
- Shoresy (2022)
- Canada’s Worst Handyman (2006)
- Canada’s Worst Driver (2005)
