There are shows that are so obviously Canadian, from Trailer Park Boys to Degrassi (and The Next Generation), Kim's Convenience, and SCTV. But there are many others that have become so popular you might not have realized they actually hail from Canada. These shows are not only filmed in Canada but also created by Canadians (for the most part).
Schitt's Creek has become one of the best known of late, thanks to sweeping the Emmy Awards in 2020 and grabbing every single acting award in the comedy category, as well as the award for Outstanding Comedy Series. But there are many more.
Schitt's Creek (2015-2020)
As noted, Schitt's Creek has become one of the best known, if not the best known, Canadian TV series, thanks to picking up multiple Emmy Awards and streaming on Netflix. The show flew under the radar north of the border for several seasons until its popularity exploded when Netflix subscribers decided to check it out and realized what they had been missing.
Starring Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara and created by Levy and his son Dan (who also stars), Schitt's Creek is about a wealthy family who, after losing everything, must start over in a little town called Schitt's Creek – the only thing they still own. While an over-the-top comedy at heart, there are many touching moments and lessons delivered in subtle fashion, making it a comedy that will both make you laugh and think at the same time.
Workin' Moms (2017-present)
One of the most real sitcoms about being a working mother, this Canadian series is another that gained U.S. popularity once it began streaming on Netflix. It follows the story of a group of working mothers and the unique but always relatable issues they deal with.
It's crass, unapologetic, and doesn't hold back on any issue, whether it's about nursing, balancing a career with the obligations of being a mom, and sometimes (OK, often) making mistakes and trying not to be judged for them.
Letterkenny (2016-present)
This hilarious series is admittedly more obviously Canadian than the others, designed to follow a group of eccentric individuals living in a rural community called Letterkenny, which is supposedly located in the outskirts of Ontario, Canada. Remove the obvious hockey and other Great White North-centric references, however, and the meat of the show could very well be set in any fictional small town in the U.S.
True, there are some aspects of Letterkenny that are uniquely Canadian. Nonetheless, given that Hulu picked up the show for exclusive streaming, it's clear that the story is relatable throughout North America.
Between (2015-2016)
It only lasted two seasons, airing on Canadian network Citytv and streaming on Netflix, but this Canadian sci-fi drama was equally popular among those in Canada and the U.S.
It followed the lives of a group of Millennials who were stuck in a small town of Pretty Lake during the outbreak of a virus that seemed to only kill people over the age of 22. It starred Jennette McCurdy, known for her time on Nickelodeon series iCarly and Sam & Cat, as a pregnant teen trying to uncover a possible conspiracy while helping those quarantined find a way out.
Anne With An E (2017-2019)
Airing for three seasons on CBC and Netflix, this episodic series was adapted from the 1908 children's book Anne of Green Gables, which has been made into several TV series, stage productions, and films, including the 1952 BBC series Anne of Green Gables and the 1985 four-hour TV series of the same name.
Set in the 19th century, the story centers around Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan who is sent to a pair of siblings who had planned to adopt a boy instead. The setting for Anne With An E is the fictional town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island in Canada.
Wynonna Earp (2016-present)
Based on the comic book series by Beau Smith, this supernatural Western horror is a Canadian-American series about the great-granddaughter of the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp. The setting is a fictional town of Purgatory located near the Canadian Rockies.
There, Wynonna fights revenants who are the reincarnated versions of the outlaws that Wyatt killed when he was alive. Wynonna Earp has been widely lauded as one of the best new sci-fi shows, and it's easy to forget that it's actually Canadian.
Orphan Black (2013-2017)
Tatiana Maslany played several clones in this captivating sci-fi thriller about a woman who, upon discovering she is a clone and meeting her "sisters," works with her newfound friends to try and take down the sinister organization that created them.
Orphan Black, which was largely filmed in Toronto, is easily forgotten as Canadian until you hear references to places like Montreal and see currency in those signature colored bills.
Mr. D (2012-2018)
Comedian Gerry Dee headed up this series about a schoolteacher nicknamed Mr. D who was grossly underqualified for his position. Naturally, it follows his many misadventures with students and other members of faculty and he tries to navigate being responsible for shaping young, impressionable minds.
Dee created, wrote, and executive produced the show, which was based on a decade he spent teaching high school physical education before pursuing a career in stand-up comedy. The series was filmed on-location in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Transplant (2020-present)
The newest show on this list, this medical drama is clearly set in Canada and based in a fictional hospital in Toronto. The central character is Bashir "Bash" Hamed, a doctor who came to Canada as a refugee during the Syrian Civil War.
Filmed in Montreal and Toronto, even though there are plenty of references to Canada, including many establishing shots of the city, the show's theme of an immigrant struggling to be accepted is universal. NBC recognized this and picked up the show for broadcasting in the U.S. It premiered there in September 2020.
The Handmaid's Tale (2017-present)
Is The Handmaid's Tale Canadian? Technically, its country of origin is actually the U.S., so no. But it's Canadian enough to qualify. Why? The story is based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Canadian author Margaret Atwood, who also serves as a consulting producer.
Also, the series is filmed in Canada, in various locations across Ontario, including Toronto and its many suburbs. So, while the show was created by American TV writer and producer Bruce Miller, it's still Canadian at heart.