News for "Son of a Critch" fans

"To have a television show run alongside me growing up is such a unique opportunity.  I turn 18 in September, so it's ending just as my childhood is ending. There's something really sweet about how my experiences have been informed by the character's experiences and vice versa. It really has been very symbiotic."

" Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, who plays Critch as a teenager.

Okay, Son of a Critch fans.  The wait has finally ended.  On Tuesday, September 8th, the CBC's coming-of-age comedy will return for its fifth and final season.  Son of a Critch is based on comedian Mark Critch's best-selling memoir of the same name, about his childhood and adolescence in late 1980s and early 1990s St. John's Newfoundland.

The final season consist of 12 half-hour episodes. The main cast will be returning, including Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as young Mark, Malcolm McDowell as his grandfather, Claire Rankin as his mother, Mary, Sophia Powers as Fox, his friend and love interest, Colton Gobbo as Mike, Jr., his older brother, and Mark Rivera as Ritchie, his best friend.  Mark Critch plays Mike Critch, his own father.

There will also be returning guest stars, including Shawn Doyle (Star Trek :Discovery) as Kevin Lewis, Mark's former theatre instructor, Susan Kent (The Snake) as Linda Lahey, and Rick Mercer as station owner Mr. Bartlett.  Special guests include Colin Fiore (Landman) as theatre director Guy Glassco, Jayne Eastwood (Sullivan's Crossing) as Ellie, and Mary Walsh as Ida.  In addition, there will be cameo appearances from Trent McLellan (This Hour ha 22 Minutes) and radio personality Mike Campbell, Critch's brother and the real-life Mike Jr.

The fifth season will deal with Mark's final year of high school as he pursues his dream of becoming an actor.  A student at Holy Heart of Mary High School, Mark joined the school's drama program and discovered his true calling.  He founded Cat Fud, his own comedy sketch troupe, 

It is notable that the fifth season is set in 1992, a time of upheaval for he people of Newfoundland and Labrador.  The province experiences a painful cod moratorium as the Canadian government bans cod fishing off its coast.  2330,000 jobs are lost.  

Thankfully, the series won't conclude abruptly.  In fact, the ending been carefully thought out.  Mark Critch revealed that he has always known how he wanted the show to end.  "It's rare that you get to tell a complete story.  I'm glad we were able to end (the series) the way we wanted," he said.  

- Joanne