While Canada is often associated with maple syrup, large open landscapes, and friendly people, they also are pretty good at making TV shows. With the ability to access streaming services, shows from other countries are a lot more accessible now than ever before, catapulting these six best Canadian TV shows into the worldview. If you like historical shows, comedy, mystery, or good old-fashioned romance, check out these Canadian TV series that have impacted viewers worldwide.
6. The Tudors (2007-2010)
Sixth on our list of best Canadian TV shows is The Tudors. Set during the early years of King Henry VIII‘s nearly 40-year reign in England, the series brings to life the various scandals the famed King was involved in. These included female companions, obsessions with getting a male heir, and the relationship between church and state. Featured characters include Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Sir Thomas More, Cardinal Wolsey, and Charles Brandon.
–IMDb score: 8.1
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5. Murdoch Mysteries (2008-Present)
Next up on our best Canadian TV shows list is Murdoch Mysteries, still going strong after nearly two decades of episodes. Set in the late 1890s, police Detective William Murdoch takes a new science-based approach to solving crimes alongside coroner Dr. Julia Ogden and Constable George Crabtree. Introducing concepts like finger marks and lie-detecting machines, Murdoch changes the way criminals can be found to the surprise of his superiors.
–IMDb score: 8.2
4. Kim’s Convenience (2016-2021)
Ranking fourth on the best Canadian TV shows list is Kim’s Convenience, which is where Simu Liu got propelled into the spotlight before snatching his lead role in Shang Chi. In the TV series, Mr. and Mrs. Kim are Korean Canadian convenience store owners who have worked hard to give their children, Janet and Jung, a better life. Each episode highlights the trials of running a store while raising kids in a foreign culture.
–IMDb score: 8.2
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3. Heartland (2007-Present)
Rounding out the top three best Canadian TV shows is Heartland, another Canadian series that has been going for nearly two decades. The cast of characters spans multiple generations, living in Alberta, Canada, where a tragedy has pulled a family back together. One of the main characters is Amy Fleming, who learns she now possesses her mother’s ability to aid injured horses and connect with those struggling to get by.
–IMDb score: 8.4
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2. Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020)
Second on our list of best Canadian TV shows is Schitt’s Creek, one of the most recognizable shows on our list. After falling victim to fraud, Johnny Rose and his family go from rich to penniless in an instant. The only asset Johnny Rose has left is Schitt’s Creek, a small town he once bought as a joke. The four will not only have their relationships tested but also figure out who they are in a world where money is not the center of everything.
–IMDb score: 8.5
1. Anne with an E (2017-2019)
Last but not least on our list of the best Canadian TV shows is Anne with an E, a very popular Netflix series that unfortunately ended abruptly. An adaptation of L.M. Montgomery’s novels, the series centers on Anne, a young orphan who is mistakenly placed with aging siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. With her unique spirit and imagination, Anne transforms the lives of Marilla, Matthew, and everyone else living in the small town on Prince Edward Island.
–IMDb score: 8.6
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