For Niagara-on-the-Lake actress Nora McLellan, working with the tight-knit cast of “Son of a Critch” has been a career highlight.
In season four of the CBC Gem comedy series, which premiered on Tuesday, McLellan reprises her role of the authoritarian Sister Rose for the retelling of comedian Mark Critch’s best-selling memoir.
Described as “the hilarious and very real story of 14-year-old Mark coming-of-age in St. John’s Newfoundland,” the series features McLellan’s character, loosely based on several nuns present during Critch’s upbringing.
When it comes to playing characters that reflect real life, McLellan said it’s easy to do with quality writing.
“The thing for me is I just play what is in the script and have a wonderful time doing it,” McLellan told The Lake Report.
The character of Sister Rose, the principal at Mark’s school, is one that McLellan loves, she said.
“I would like to say that Sister Rose is married to Jesus, but not happily,” McLellan said.
McLellan, known in town for her years spent on stage at the Shaw Festival, said her role on “Son of a Critch” allows her to act just as she would in a stage show.
“You might do a little less because there’s a camera instead of an audience in front of you, but on ‘Son of a Critch,’ I don’t do anything too much differently,” she said.
“Often I’m speaking to large groups of people, terrorizing children. I think the entrance I made into season four says it all. Our director John Vatcher said, ‘Just do Darth Vader.'”
As for honing her craft, it helps to be surrounded by talented actors all day, she said.
Throughout the filming of the show, McLellan has been able to watch the young cast members, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Sophia Powers and Mark Ezekiel Rivera, grow up, she said.
“They just keep getting better and they were so strong to begin with. I marvel at their work ethic,” she said.
The fourth season features strong performances as the title character enters high school and comes of age as an adolescent.
“Mark Critch’s world is getting bigger. He’s discovering who he really is as an actor and comedian,” McLellan said.
“The most implausible stories that happen on the series are things that actually happened. Mark has the receipts.”
With the new season, McLellan is looking forward to more people discovering all the great entertainment on CBC Gem, she said.
“If they haven’t watched the show, get the CBC Gem app and watch the first three seasons,” she said.
In season four, viewers will be able to see the growth and impact of people who came into Critch’s life during this time, McLellan said.
There have been numerous guest stars across the four seasons that McLellan has loved working with, including Newfoundland writer and comedian Andy Jones and Mark McKinney of the beloved Kids in the Hall sketch comedy troupe.
In season four, viewers can look forward to an appearance from Canadian legend and comedian Rick Mercer.
“I’m always happy to see him,” McLellan said.
All seasons of “Son of a Critch” are streaming now on CBC Gem.
