Schitt's Creek

Conception and development

The idea for Schitt's Creek originated with Dan Levy, who was inspired by watching American reality television shows about wealthy families. He wondered how such families would cope if they suddenly lost all their money, a premise he developed with his father Eugene. The specific notion of a family being forced to live in a town they bought as a joke was inspired by a news story about actress Kim Basinger's financial loss after purchasing a town in Georgia. The Levys pitched the series to several networks in Canada and the United States, with HBO and Showtime passing on the project. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation became the first network to buy the show, providing its initial funding. The creators later secured a deal with Pop TV in the United States, which joined as a production partner starting with the show's second season.

A key early battle involved the series title, as some networks suggested changing it to avoid the word 'Schitt'. The Levys successfully argued to keep the original title by demonstrating it was a legitimate surname, bringing pages from a phone book to the CBC as proof. Dan Levy initially planned for the series to conclude after five seasons but agreed to a sixth following a two-year renewal after season four. The show represented a new direction in programming for both the CBC and Pop TV, with the CBC aiming for more serialized, cable-like content and Pop TV using it as its first original scripted program after a rebranding in January 2015.

Cast and characters

The series centres on the Rose family, portrayed by its creators and a core ensemble of Canadian comedic talent. Eugene Levy plays Johnny Rose, the pragmatic and well-intentioned patriarch trying to hold his family together. Catherine O'Hara stars as his wife Moira, an eccentric former soap opera actress known for her vast vocabulary, unique accent and firm commitment to glamour. Dan Levy portrays their son David, a pansexual, fashion-obsessed art gallery owner who opens Rose Apothecary in the town. Annie Murphy plays daughter Alexis, a flighty socialite with a history of outrageous international escapades who gradually finds purpose in Schitt's Creek.

The town's residents form the show's supporting heart, including motel clerk and eventual owner Stevie Budd (Emily Hampshire), Mayor Roland Schitt (Chris Elliott) and his cheerful wife Jocelyn (Jenn Robertson), town veterinarian Ted Mullens (Dustin Milligan) and David's business partner and eventual husband, Patrick Brewer (Noah Reid). Several actors were cast without traditional auditions, including Chris Elliott and Sarah Levy, Dan's sister, who plays the eternally optimistic waitress Twyla Sands. The casting process for key roles involved specific challenges and serendipitous discoveries, such as Annie Murphy being cast as Alexis after the originally intended actress had scheduling conflicts. Other recurring characters include Ronnie Lee (Karen Robinson), Bob Currie (John Hemphill) and Ray Butani (Rizwan Manji), who round out the town's distinctive personality.

Production and filming locations

Schitt's Creek was produced by Not a Real Company Productions in association with CBC and Pop TV, with ITV Studios handling worldwide distribution. Eugene Levy, Dan Levy, Fred Levy, Andrew Barnsley and Ben Feigin served as executive producers throughout the entire series. The show was filmed in a single-camera style without a live audience or laugh track, contributing to its nuanced, character-driven comedy. For its first two seasons, interior scenes were shot at Pinewood Toronto Studios, with later seasons utilizing Dufferin Gate Studios and Revival Studios, also in Toronto.

The fictional town of Schitt's Creek was primarily brought to life in the real community of Goodwood, Ontario, located in the Regional Municipality of Durham. Goodwood was selected from approximately 30 towns scouted before production began in 2014 and became a popular tourist destination for fans. Exterior shots of the Rosebud Motel were filmed at the former Hockley Motel in Mono, Ontario. The series employed numerous other Southern Ontario locations to create its world, from a mansion in North York serving as the Rose family's former home to Main Street Unionville in Markham standing in for the Blouse Barn.

The production utilized a wide array of specific locations across the Greater Toronto Area to establish different settings within the show. The Rose family mansion exterior was filmed at a Beverly Park estate in Los Angeles, while interior shots used a Toronto mansion at 30 Fifeshire Road. Thicketwood Veterinary Hospital in Whitchurch-Stouffville served as Ted's clinic, and scenes for the Blouse Barn were shot at 159 Main Street in Unionville, Markham. Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area in Milton was the location for David and Patrick's engagement scene, and Graydon Hall Manor in Toronto was used as a lavish wedding venue the couple considers. The season six episode 'The Pitch' filmed scenes at Toronto's Bay-Adelaide Centre and Toronto-Dominion Centre. This extensive use of real Ontario locations gave the show a grounded, authentic feel that contrasted with the Roses' former opulent lifestyle.

Several key filming locations in Ontario have become notable destinations for fans of the series. Goodwood was scouted for the fictional location of Schitt's Creek and became a tourist hot spot. The motel scenes were filmed at a location in Mono, and the exterior shots of the Rosebud Motel were filmed at the former Hockley Motel there. Additional filming took place in Goodwood, the Regional Municipality of Durham, Brantford, and Mono. The Canadian Press noted that Goodwood had become a tourist hot spot as filming concluded.

• The town of Goodwood, Ontario, served as the primary setting for the fictional Schitt's Creek from 2015 to 2020.
• The former Hockley Motel in Mono, Ontario, provided the exterior for the Rosebud Motel.
• Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area in Milton was used for the season five episode 'The Hike' and David and Patrick's engagement.
• Graydon Hall Manor at 185 Graydon Hall Drive in Toronto was the wedding venue 'Elmbridge Manor' in season six.
• The Blouse Barn facade was filmed at 159 Main Street in Unionville, Markham.
• Thicketwood Veterinary Hospital in Whitchurch-Stouffville was used as Ted's clinic.
• Monte Carlo Inn in Vaughan, Ontario, was the location for a spa retreat in the season four episode 'The Jazzaguy'.
• Main Street Stouffville was used for various scenes in the show's first two seasons.

Music and notable performances

The score for Schitt's Creek was composed by Canadian musician Maribeth Solomon. Music played a significant role throughout the series, often used for character development and emotional highlights. The town's women's a cappella group, the Jazzagals, provided many musical performances, covering songs like 'It's Raining Men' and 'Islands in the Stream'. One of the most memorable musical moments occurred in the season four episode 'Open Mic', when Patrick (Noah Reid) performed an acoustic cover of Tina Turner's 'The Best' for David. Reid's rendition of the song was released as a single, reached number one on the Canadian charts, and all proceeds were donated to the LGBT Youth Line charity.

Another notable moment was Alexis's performance of 'A Little Bit Alexis', a song written and performed by Annie Murphy, during a community theatre audition in season five. Catherine O'Hara's Moira also had several standout musical scenes, including a dramatic performance of 'Danny Boy' at a funeral and her arrangement of a holiday medley known as 'The Number' which she performed with David. These moments often served as important points in the narrative, deepening relationships and displaying the cast's talents beyond acting. The series featured several other key musical performances by its cast members.

• In season one's 'Carl's Funeral', Moira Rose sings 'Danny Boy' unaccompanied.
• In season two's 'The Motel Guest', Roland Schitt plays Melissa Manchester's 'Don't Cry Out Loud' repeatedly.
• In season four's 'Asbestos Fest', David and Moira perform a holiday medley called 'The Number'.
• In season four's 'Open Mic', Patrick Brewer performs 'The Best' by Tina Turner.
• In season five's 'The Hospies', Alexis Rose performs her original song 'A Little Bit Alexis'.
• The Jazzagals perform covers including 'Baby, I'm Yours', 'Takin' It Home', and 'Silent Night'.

Reception and awards

While the show initially had a modest audience, its popularity grew exponentially after its first three seasons became available on Netflix, a surge often credited to the 'Netflix bump'. The series developed a devoted cult following and widespread critical acclaim for its writing, acting and positive, nuanced portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and relationships. This acclaim translated into an extraordinary number of awards, particularly in its final seasons. Schitt's Creek won a total of 18 Canadian Screen Awards and two ACTRA Awards.

It made history as the first Canadian comedy series to be nominated for a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Comedy Series. The show also earned two Screen Actors Guild Awards, including Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. Its portrayal of LGBTQ+ stories was recognized with three GLAAD Media Award nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series, resulting in two wins. The series received 19 Primetime Emmy Award nominations over its run, with 15 nominations for its sixth season alone, setting a record for the most Emmy nominations for a comedy series's final season.

The crowning achievement came at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards in 2020, where the final season achieved an unprecedented sweep. The show won Outstanding Comedy Series, with Dan Levy also winning for writing and sharing the award for directing with Andrew Cividino. The cast swept the four major acting categories, with Eugene Levy winning Lead Actor, Catherine O'Hara winning Lead Actress, Dan Levy winning Supporting Actor and Annie Murphy winning Supporting Actress. This sweep set multiple records: it was the first time any comedy or drama series won all seven major categories, the first time a series won all four major acting awards, and it set a new record for most Emmy wins by a comedy series in a single season.

The series earned a wide array of honours from various awarding bodies throughout its broadcast. Schitt's Creek won two ACTRA Awards and 18 Canadian Screen Awards. It received a total of 19 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning nine awards for its final season. The show also won two Screen Actors Guild Awards and set a record for most Emmy nominations for a comedy series's final season. It received three nominations for a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series, winning twice.

• The show won 9 Primetime Emmy Awards in 2020, including the historic sweep of seven major categories.
• It received 18 Canadian Screen Awards across its six-season run.
• The cast won 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards, including one for Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
• It earned 2 ACTRA Awards for performance.
• The series was nominated for a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Comedy Series in 2020.
• It won 2 GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series, from three nominations.

Cultural impact and legacy

Schitt's Creek left a significant mark on Canadian television and popular culture, celebrated for its heartwarming narrative and inclusive ethos. The show's avoidance of homophobia or trauma in its depiction of David's pansexuality and his relationship with Patrick was widely praised. This was a groundbreaking and optimistic approach to LGBTQ+ storytelling. The series has inspired tourism to its Ontario filming locations, particularly the town of Goodwood. Fans visit to see sites like the facade used for Cafe Tropical and the surrounding area that represented the town centre.

Following the conclusion of the series, there was significant public interest in a potential sequel or film. In early 2026, Dan Levy revealed he had been considering such a project but stated those plans were halted following the death of his co-star and friend Catherine O'Hara in January of that year. O'Hara's passing, caused by a blood clot in her lung while also living with cancer, was a major loss for the cast, crew and fans. Dan Levy's emotional return to Goodwood for an interview in 2026 highlighted the deep personal connections forged during production, as he stated a sequel was not possible without O'Hara. The show's legacy endures through continued streaming availability, ongoing fan engagement and its status as a benchmark for Canadian comedy that achieved unprecedented international success and critical recognition.

Questions about Schitt's Creek

Where is Schitt's Creek filmed?

Schitt's Creek was filmed primarily in Ontario, Canada. The fictional town scenes were shot in Goodwood, located in the Regional Municipality of Durham. The exterior of the Rosebud Motel was filmed at the former Hockley Motel in Mono, Ontario. Many interior scenes were filmed at studios in Toronto, including Pinewood Toronto Studios and Dufferin Gate Studios. Other specific locations used across Southern Ontario include Rattlesnake Point in Milton for the engagement scene, Graydon Hall Manor in Toronto for a wedding venue, and Main Street Unionville in Markham for the Blouse Barn.

Is Schitt's Creek based on a true story?

The series is not based on a true story but was inspired by real-life concepts. Creator Dan Levy was inspired by reality television shows about wealthy families and wondered how they would cope without money. The specific plot point of a family being forced to live in a town they bought as a joke was inspired by a news story about actress Kim Basinger, who purchased the town of Braselton, Georgia, and later faced financial difficulties. The show's writers used these ideas to craft an original fictional narrative about the Rose family's journey.

Why did Schitt's Creek end?

Schitt's Creek ended after six seasons because the creators felt the story had reached its natural conclusion. Dan Levy initially envisioned the series concluding after five seasons but agreed to a sixth following a two-year renewal after season four. The final season was planned to provide a satisfying ending to the characters' arcs, particularly David and Patrick's relationship and the Rose family's personal growth. The decision to end the show was creative, aiming to conclude the story on a high note rather than due to cancellation or declining popularity.

Will there be a Schitt's Creek movie?

As of early 2026, there are no plans for a Schitt's Creek movie or sequel. Dan Levy revealed in 2026 that he had been considering a potential sequel project but stated those plans were no longer being pursued following the death of Catherine O'Hara in January 2026. Levy expressed that making a sequel without O'Hara, who played the role of Moira Rose, was not something he could do. The creators have not announced any other revival projects, and the series currently is a complete story.

How many Emmy Awards did Schitt's Creek win?

Schitt's Creek won a total of nine Primetime Emmy Awards. Its most historic achievement came at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards in 2020, where its final season won all seven major comedy categories in an unprecedented sweep. These awards included Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor (Eugene Levy), Outstanding Lead Actress (Catherine O'Hara), Outstanding Supporting Actor (Dan Levy), Outstanding Supporting Actress (Annie Murphy), and awards for writing and directing. This sweep set a record for most Emmy wins by a comedy series in a single season.

Who plays Patrick on Schitt's Creek?

Patrick Brewer is played by Canadian actor and musician Noah Reid. Reid joined the cast in season three as David Rose's business partner at Rose Apothecary. The character quickly became David's love interest, and their relationship developed into a central storyline, culminating in their marriage in the series finale. Reid's performance of a cover of 'The Best' in season four became a standout moment, and his version of the song was released as a charity single, reaching number one on the Canadian charts.

Sources and further reading

• Schitt's Creek (Wikipedia)
• 'You can't': Dan Levy says there's no Schitt's Creek sequel ... (cbc.ca)
• Ultimate Schitt's Creek road trip guide (destinationontario.com)
• COMPLETE Guide to Schitt's Creek Filming Locations in ... (thehappydaystravels.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-28.