Son of a Critch, CBC’s hit comedy, tells the story of Mark Critch’s childhood in Newfoundland. It debuted in 2022 and will conclude it’s fifth and final season in 2026. You’ve hopefully already checked out my page about Son of a Critch filming locations from the first three seasons. Due to the incredible amount of locations I’ve visited, I’ve decided to do a separate page for seasons 4 and 5.
When I heard that the fifth season of Son of a Critch would be it’s last, I decided to return to St. John’s. I wanted to visit some of the locations featured in the last two seasons, and Vicky from the show’s production invited me to return to the studio for a visit as well.
One big difference on this trip compared to my first was that my Dad joined me. Unfortunately my Mom passed away in March after suffering from dementia. Dad and I spent several years as full time caretakers, and as anyone who’s had a loved one with dementia knows, it can be a very challenging and heartbreaking experience. While I was prepared to go to St. John’s on my own, I suggested to Dad that he join me, and we could make a week-long trip out of it. I didn’t need to twist his arm, as he agreed right away. We flew from Ottawa to St. John’s, and spent our first day visiting some filming locations and exploring the city.
I had given Dad a heads up that I’d be visiting the set the next day, and he may need to entertain himself. But when I let Vicky know that my Dad was in St. John’s with me, she invited him to come to the studio as well, in true Newfoundland hospitality. We ended up spending a full day at the studio, watching them film several scenes and exploring the set. The following day, we were able to continue watching filming, but this time on location as opposed to the studio. They were filming Regatta scenes by Quidi Vidi lake. I’ll have more details below once the episode airs.
While I previous had the chance to meet with the five actors who play the Critch family (Mark Critch, Mary Rankin, Colton Gobbo, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, and Malcolm McDowell), I was also able to meet the rest of the cast on this most recent visit. This includes Sophia Powers and Nate Penney, who play Fox and Baby Fox, while shooting the Regatta. I also got to meet Nora McLennan, who plays Sister Rose, and Shawn Doyle, who plays drama teacher Kevin Lewis. At the same time, I was able to reconnect with Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, who I’d met on my previous visit. He’s a lovely person, and he’s spent the last year filming The Legend of Zelda movie, where he will star as Link.
I’ve been fortunate enough to become friends with the real life Ritche Perez, who is a wonderful and fascinating person. As he was a friend of Mark Critch growing up, he is played by Mark Ezekiel Rivera on the show. After the second day of filming, Ritche invited me and my Dad out for dinner, and he also invited Mark as well. It was really interesting and a bit surreal to share a meal and conversation with both the real life and fictional version of Ritche. Both truly kind and talented guys!
The Critch House
The interior scenes were all filmed at the show’s studio. The set of the house is a standing set, meaning it is used so often that is stays up. Other sets, often called swing sets, are set up and taken down as needed.
Having visited the set during the 3rd season, I noticed that it was mostly unchanged since then. However there have been a few changes as time progresses on the show. In the living room, the family now has a TV more suited to the early 90s.
Mark now has his own bedroom, since Mike Jr. has moved out. Mark’s bed is still in the same spot, but all of Pop’s stuff has been moved out. However there is still a single bed frame and box spring on the other side of the room.
Mark still has a lot of his childhood toys and books, and his posters on the wall. One addition is the Cat Fud poster from his comedy show with his friend Steve. He also has a graduation photo of Fox, looking less than happy about the occasion!
Pop has moved into Mike Jr’s old bedroom, and it’s decorated quite differently to reflect Pop’s tastes. I wasn’t really able to get good photos of the room though, as that was the one room where the lights were off.
While much of the rest of the house is unchanged, here are some updated photos I took on this latest trip.
One really nice touch is all the photos around the house. They may not all be seen up close on the show, but they really make it feel like a family home. The photos are a combination of the actors and real photos from Mark Critch’s collection.
Much like the first three seasons, the exterior shots of the Critch house were filmed at 510 Logy Bay Rd. The exteriors of VOCM are also filmed at the same location, as the radio station is right next door to the Critch house. In fact, as it was in real life, the radio station actually owned the house.
Holy Heart of Mary Regional High School
At the end of season three, we see Mark and friends graduating from St. Bridget’s. This would mean they’re off to high school in season four. The production team selected Holy Heart of Mary Regional High School to use for filming. Both interiors and exteriors were filmed here.
Sister Mary’s Office
The scenes in Sister Mary’s office are filmed on a set. On the day that I visited the main studio, I was told that they needed to build Sister Rose’s office at another studio, due to space. The studio they used is where the show Saint Pierre is filmed. I was invited to join the cast and crew over there, and that gave me the chance to explore the sets from that series as well.
Sister Mary’s office is set up like a typical school vice-principal’s office of that time period, with more religious artifacts of course. The office is adorned with pictures of the Pope, tardy slips, and Sister Rose’s nameplate. We watched them film the scenes, and then got to look at the office set up close.
VOCM
The set for VOCM has changed significantly from when I visited during the third season. The main booth is pretty much the same, but the secondary room is now set up for the sister radio station, Magic 97.
In addition, an administrative office is now located across the hall from the sound booth.
The Fox House
Fox’s Mom and family have moved to another townhouse later in the series. The house interiors are a set on the soundstage. The downstairs is made up of a living room and dining room, as well as a kitchen and some stairs leading to the second floor.
Shopping Mall
In the third season, the show filmed shopping mall scenes at the Torbay Road Mall, However starting in the fourth season, they switched to Mount Pearl Square. This former shopping mall is now a large medical centre, so don’t expect to see any shops or a food court. However you can still see the entrance to the old movie theatre, which was handy for the crew to reimagine this building a mall in that time period.
The show continued to use the exterior of the Torbay Road Mall for establishing shots.
Visit to Ottawa
In the fourth season, Mike travelers to Ottawa to cover the signing of the Meech Lake Accord. He brings Mary along so they can have a vacation at the same time. The scenes were all filmed at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa’s most luxurious hotel. This historic hotel was opened in 1912 as part of the Grand Truck Railway series of hotels. It later became a CN Hotel, and is now managed by Fairmont Hotels.
We first see Mike and Mary arriving in the main lobby. Mary is stunned by the opulence as they check-in.
They head over to the marble staircase, where Mike refuses help with his luggage.
We also see Mary having lunch by herself in the restaurant, before making friends with Ellie, played by legendary actress Jayne Eastwood. Scenes of Mike doing his news report and meeting the Premier were filmed in one of the ballrooms.
Finally we see Mike and Mary outside the hotel, overlooking the Rideau Canal and Parliament Hill, before ending in a romantic embrace.
During their stay in Ottawa, we get a couple glimpses at Parliament Hill and the Peace Tower. Located next to the hotel and the Rideau Canal, Parliament is a collection of gothic style buildings that house Canada’s Federal Government, including the House of Commons and the Senate. If you plan to visit Ottawa, you’ll want to give yourself some time to explore Parliament Hill, and perhaps take a tour as well. Try not to go on a foggy winter day like I clearly did for the second photo.
Strand Lounge
The Strand Lounge pops up numerous times, including where Mark did his stand-up comedy routine and where Mike would meet with colleagues. The location for this is the Bella Vista Events Centre on Torbay Road. They have a bar in the basement called Stanley’s Pub.
Valley Convenience
Early in the fourth season, we see Mark and gang stop for gas at Valley Convenience. The interiors and exteriors were all filmed at a real store by the same name, located at 55 Linegar Ave. The exteriors were dressed to appear as they would’ve back in the early 90s. Gas pumps were also added for filming.
Kareer Kollege
In the fourth season, Mary signs up for classes at the Kareer Kollege. The building used for establishing shots is an office building located at 95 Bonaventure Ave.
Commissariat House
Once Mary finishes college, she gets a job working in a museum in full costume. These scenes were filled at the Commissariat House. When I visited St John’s, the house was closed for renovations, but I was able to get some photos of the exterior.
Public Service Video Location
Mark gets an acting gig in a public service video, in the episode “Child Star”. This is where he first meets Steve. They film this video in a Chinese Restaurant known as Mea Mei Wok Eatery.
If you want to see the real PSA video that Mark Critch appeared in, you can see it here:
Staircase at the Colonial Building
While most of the episode “Happy 1990” was filmed on the set, we do get a quick glimpse at a real location. There is a flashback where Mark and Ritche are sipping champagne by an old victorian staircase, just as Fox descends it. This was filmed at the Colonial Building.
Hotel
In the episode “Getting Doubles” Mark and his classmates go on an overnight field trip, where he ends up sharing a hotel room bed with Cara. The hotel featured in this episode is the Ramada St John’s on Kenmount Road.
Peace-a-Chord
In the 1990s, there was an annual festival in St. John’s called the Peace-a-Chord. It combined live music and social activism. The event was held annually in Bannerman Park, but for the recreation on Son of a Critch, they used a field at Bowring Park. This is a really beautiful and large park, and I highly recommend spending some time here if you have a chance.
Historic Train
In the fourth season episode “The Last Stop” Mike and Pop take a trip on an old historic train across Newfoundland. In reality, the island of Newfoundland no longer has any active railway lines, as they shut down in 1988. However you can visit St. John’s old train station, which is now the Railway Coastal Museum. This is where you’ll see the train that appears in this episode, the CNR diesel locomotive 906. The museum is generally only open in summer months, but the train locomotive is outside, so you can see it at any time.
Party House
Fox and Mark attend a house party in the episode “Party on Wheels”. The house used is a local house in St. John’s. A section of the neighbourhood was shut down for several days for filming, which took place both inside and outside the house.
The Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
In the fourth season episode “Lest We Forget”, Pops takes Mark to the cathedral and plays the organ to get Sister Rose’s attention. They they visit The Vailed Virgin, a statue carved in Rome by artist Giovanni Strazza. It’s under the care of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and on display at their Presentation Convent, located next to the Cathedral. While no pictures of the statue are permitted, I did get a photo of the convent. You can see photos and read more about the statue here.
Pop’s Medical Test
In the fourth season’s final episode “For The Rest Of Your Life”, we see a number of locations around the city. When Pop nearly burns down the house, Mike and Mike Jr take him for a cognitive test. The building used for the entrance ofthe clinic is the Dr L.A. Miller Centre on Forest Road.
Cat Fud Show
In the same episode, Mark has to balance his comedy show and attending Suzanne’s wedding. First, Mark and Steve form the comedy group Cat Fud, and score a big radio show spot on a national broadcast. The comedy show is taking place at the Resource Centre for the Arts on Victoria Street. This performing arts venue was also used in previous seasons.
We also see Mark and Fox siting in front of the building as they discuss Fox’s worries about her Mom’s wedding.
Suzanne’s Wedding
In addition to the comedy show, Mark also attends Suzanne’s wedding in support of Fox. The building used for exterior shots is the Pleasantville Legion, Branch 56. It’s located on The Boulevard near Quidi Vidi Lake. The doors Mark runs out of are actually located at the side of the building, near the parking lot.
Jellybean Row
Once the comedy show and wedding are over, Mark and Fox run to each other, meeting up on Gower Street, in an area known as Jellybean Row. This section of colourfully painted houses is one of the most photographed areas of the city, if not the entire country.
Taking Dad to the Set
Several years ago, I’d taken Mom and Dad to a taping of The Big Bang Theory. During that, Dad got to see how a sitcom taping was run, but he’d never had the chance to visit and explore the inside of a set before. It was a big thrill to be able to bring him along for two days of filming. Unlike Hollywood studios that have multiple levels of security, Son of a Critch was filmed in an nondescript warehouse in St. John’s. We parked and as we approached the building, a crew member was walking out, so he held the door for us and welcomed us in. I showed Dad a few things in the prop storage area, and then Vicky came and met us. She brought us in to the main studio, and gave my Dad a tour of the Critch house set. After that, some crew members brought Dad over to the craft Services table for some snacks and coffee, again displaying the hospitality that the area is known for.
We spent the rest of the day exploring the set and watching filming. Mark Critch made a point to come over and welcome me back, and also to say hello to my Dad. Dad was thrilled, getting a picture and autograph with Mark.
As mentioned above, we then followed the crew over to the studio where Saint Pierre is filmed. While there, we got to explore the sets from that show. I also introduced Dad to some of the cast as well. I think he had a really enjoyable time, and I’m grateful to the cast and crew for being so kind.
A special thanks to Vicky, who has invited me several times to visit the studio. Being able to explore the various sets and meet the cast and crew has been a wonderful experience, and I’ve loved being able to share this information and photos with the show’s fans. Vicky is the show’s social media manager, and a lovely person as well. You can catch a glimpse of her in the season five premiere “The Regatta”.
***This article and the information included is exclusive to RobOnLocation, with input and cooperation from Hawco Productions. All photos are the exclusive property of RobOnLocation. No use of this information, in part or in whole, is allowed without express written permission.***
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