The 2010s might have been the best overall decade in the history of Canadian television. The audience outside Canada has experienced more Canadian television than any other decade.
This list of the top 10 Canadian TV shows of the 2010s has a few caveats.
- The show must have been reasonably available in the United States or via CBC Gem when in Canada.
- The show must have had an impact within the decade. The Border ended in the spring of 2010. The original Corner Gas ended in 2009.
- Best is subjective; these shows made the strongest impact on Canadian TV in the decade.
- All of the shows are in English. Je comprend plu petite Francaise.
Here is the list followed by the analysis:
1 Orphan Black
2 Mary Kills People
3 Letterkenny
4 Schitt's Creek
5 Republic of Doyle
6 Kim's Convenience
7 Michael: Every Day aka Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays
8 Wynonna Earp
9 Four in the Morning
10 Baroness von Sketch
CBC accounts for 6 of the 10 shows. Bell Media has Orphan Black; Letterkenny; and Wynonna Earp. Global has Mary Kills People.
The shocker on the list is Four in the Morning perhaps followed the Michael series. They didn't have many episodes but they were proof that Canadian television could do something special.
Orphan Black didn't get the U.S. prestige that Canadian comedies have had. Tatiana Maslany did get 3 Emmy nominations with a Emmy win. Mary Kills People Season 3 hopefully will find a U.S. home. Republic of Doyle might not have seemed too significant. The show had a wonderful chemistry never taking itself too seriously. The list of Canadian guest stars includes legends such as Paul Gross, Gordon Pinsent, and even Shannon Tweed. When good actors want to be on your show, you are making an impact.
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The list leaves off personal favourites such as Strange Empire; Young Drunk Punk; and Sensitive Skin. You could argue the legacy of Strange Empire in Wynonna Earp and Sensitive Skin from the Michael series. Cult favourites that came close included Lost Girl; Nirvanna the Band the Show; and Mohawk Girls.
The loss of Rick Mercer Report and George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight/The Hour made an impact by the holes they left in Canadian television. No show has really filled the niches they had. Canada doesn't have a late-night show from Canadians. The satire has shifted over to This Hour Has 22 Minutes and road trips to Still Standing.
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Canadian dramas crossed over well in the last decade with 19-2; Rookie Blue; Flashpoint; Saving Hope; Travelers; X Company; Private Eyes; Cardinal; Frankie Drake Mysteries; Alias Grace; and Anne with an E.
Mr. D might have been the most successful Canadian comedy of the decade with Murdoch Mysteries the most successful Canadian drama of the decade. Neither was close to reaching our Top 10.
Little Mosque on the Prairie did get some consideration. The program started in 2007 and ended in 2012. Trailer Park Boys was around from 2001-2018. The show made a larger impact in the previous decade. Trailer Park Boys should be applauded for longevity and quality.
Rogers would have a very strong argument for Hometown Hockey. The showcase for small towns and their love of hockey. Canadians rarely get to see their country. Showing small towns from around the country has an appeal to even non-hockey fans.
The decade started out in the middle of the brief run of Being Erica and the beginning of 18 to Life. The Canadian TV schedule looks very different at the end of the decade. Workin' Moms couldn't crack a very tough Top 10 list.
CanadianCrossing.com CBC coverage
CanadianCrossing.com television coverage
The landscape of Canadian television within the decade changed significantly. The decade started with analog transmitters where more Canadians could get over-the-air signals in English and French. Many Canadians lost CBC television signals during the digital transition.
The Gemini Awards became the Canadian Screen Awards in 2013.
Rogers took over the national NHL rights from CBC and TSN as of 2014. Hockey Night in Canada feels very different in the hands of Rogers. While After Hours is back, the CBC version had more of a secret handshake kind of vibe.
photo credit: Temple Street Productions/Space/BBC America
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