I’ll give this to CBC, who yesterday announced that their 2026-2027 slate will include 50 original series from Canadian storytellers: this isn’t just the same old boring list of retreads. There are no spinoffs or re-brands.
The slim lineups of new shows emerging from the recent US upfronts earlier this month were just more 9-1-1 this, Grey’s Anatomy that. American broadcast networks seem content to coast into oblivion with more of the same I.P. from the same three or four content machines, leaving slim import pickings for private Canadian broadcasters.
Mind you, some of CBC’s upcoming offerings sound like pretty eccentric pitches (see The Posse). They do, however, sound original. That has to be encouraging if you are in today’s tough-to-crack business of creating stories for television.
Upcoming CBC dramas include:
Junior (2027), which is inspired by the career path of flashy former NHLer P.K. Suban. It is the story of a 16-year-old black hockey player named Marcus Hill who leaves home as a Junior to try his luck in the cutthroat business of trying to make it in pro hockey. Created by Kyle Hart; with Suban, Damon D’Oliveira and Clement Virgo among the executive producers.
Blessed Sacrament (2027) is about the Blessing sisters – surgeon Peg, nurse Brie (played by Kathleen Robertson) and administrator Amelia – who save lives at the hospital founded by their mother Margaret. How frothy is it? The cut line: “at Blessed Sacrament, saving strangers is easier than saving each other.” Ten episodes ordered with showrunner, star and EP Robertson teamed with EP Chris Cowles.
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Cold Country (Winter, 2027) starring Sarah Podemski, Chaske Spencer and Michael Greyeyes. Described as “a new prestige limited series.” Not much else is known but my guess is it is chilly there. The six, hour-long episodes are a CBC/APTN co-production from creator-showrunners Shane Belcourt and Tasha Hubbard. Katawak Productions and Sphere Media are involved.
Among the comedies:
The Ambassador (Winter, 2027) stars Samantha Bee as a former actor-turned-diplomat heading an embassy in Bulgaria. There she is teamed with her childhood best friend Andrea (Allana Harkin) as the sharp-tongued Charge d’Affaires. We are told that, “the duo turns diplomatic afterthoughts into surprising wins, even while skating on very thin ice.” The show is in good hands with Tim McAuliffe (The Office, Son of a Critch) among the executive producers. Ten episodes ordered.
The Posse (2027). Here is where TV is today folks. A Canada-Norway treaty co-production! It is about a spoiled Norwegian factory heir from the 1800s – are you still with us? – who forces a group of reluctant underlings located in the American Wild West to gather material for his novel. Things go south and the possie is on the lam. Their only hope to get back to civilization is a charismatic but untrustworthy Canadian guide. Eight episodes ordered from New Metric Media and Robicon TV.
The Service (2027) looks at “the strivers, wonks, and gearheads who staff the Toronto office of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.” I guess it is good to laugh at this stuff right now. The eight episode dramedy is from creator and showrunner Aubrey Nealon, who proved herself on Cardinal and Snowpiercer.
Committed (Winter 2027), Another treaty collaboration, this time between Canada and The UK. Canadian Peter Hooley (Dustin Milligan, Schitt’s Creek), a recently divorced accountant, has a fling in Toronto with an Irish lass named Julie (Irish actress Diona Doherty). He heads to the Old Sod to declare his love and lands in a world more old-fashioned and eccentric than he imagined. Sounds like it has a bit of a “Local Hero” vibe to it. From the Cameron sisters and Fabel Productions. Co-created by Keith Martin, Gerry Dee and Tim Loane.
New in documentaries:
Here is some really good news: You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution…comes to CBC in late fall of this year. A hit at last September’s Toronto International Film Festival, the documentary brings us the amazing true story of how a generation of comedy talent converged and blossomed as the cast of the Toronto production of the musical “Godspell” in 1972-73. Directed by Nick Davis and featuring Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, Paul Shaffer, Victor Garber, Gilda Radner, Jayne Eastwood, Rudy Webb and more. Judd Apatow is among the executive producers.
Among the sports-related documentaries are Power Play (2027), five hour-long episodes featuring exclusive access to the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Sarah Nurse, Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, Hilary Knight, Aerin Frankel, Jayna Hefford, and Natalie Spooner are all featured. From Blink49 Studios.
Barnburners (2027) is a 10-episode docu-series about “one of Canada’s fiercest and funniest” senior hockey leagues. The six team league competes all across southeastern Saskatchewan. Running Smoke (Winter, three hour-long episodes) profiles Derek White, a Mohawk from Kahnawà:ke who was the first indigenous driver to compete in NASCAR’s premier Sprint Cup Series. Then he was arrested and charged with smuggling and defrauding the government in a cross border tobacco smuggling bust. Can he steer his way out of this corner?
And among several shows new for kids on CBC: in this live-action comedy, Olympic champion Andre De Grasse must sprint back in time to help keep his 10-year-old self in the game in On Track with Andre De Grasse. Told in speedy, five-minute segments. From Windy Isle Entertainment.
Returning to CBC in 2026-2027 will be two dramas enterting their 20th seasons: Murdoch Mysteries and Heartland. Son of a Critch returns for a fifth and final season with young Mark (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) set to graduate from high school. North of North, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Allegience, Saint Pierre, Wild Cards, Dragon’s Den, Family Feud, Still Standing, Must Love Dogs and The Great Canadian Baking Show will all be back.
Conspicuously absent: Small Achievable Goals, cancelled after two seasons.
