Main Cast and Characters in Season 2
Schitt's Creek season 2 features the central Rose family navigating life in the small town. Dan Levy plays David Rose, the adult son adjusting to life without wealth. Catherine O'Hara portrays Moira Rose, the eccentric former socialite. Eugene Levy stars as Johnny Rose, the pragmatic father and former business owner. Annie Murphy plays Alexis Rose, the social-media-savvy daughter trying to reinvent herself. This core ensemble continues the family dynamic established in season 1, with each character confronting new financial and personal realities in the town they once mocked.
The show's ensemble expanded in season 2 to include recurring and supporting characters who shape the Roses' daily experiences. Emily Hampshire appears as Stevie Budd, the motel clerk and Johnny's right-hand employee. Dustin Milligan portrays Ted Mullens, a local veterinarian and Alexis's primary love interest. Chris Elliott plays Roland Schitt, the town's mayor, and Karen Robinson plays his wife, Ronnie Lee. These characters create the comedic and emotional framework for the season's storylines, grounding the family's fish-out-of-water narrative in the tight-knit community of Schitt's Creek.
Production Details and Season Structure
Season 2 of Schitt's Creek consists of 13 episodes, maintaining the half-hour format that defines the series. The season premiered on January 12, 2016, on CBC in Canada and was simultaneously available on Hulu in the United States. The season was produced by Not a Real Company Productions in association with CBC and Hulu. Dan Levy and Eugene Levy serve as creators and executive producers, with the series filmed primarily in Toronto, Ontario, at a studio setting that doubles as the fictional town.
The production company behind the series is Not a Real Company Productions, which Dan Levy co-founded. The show's distribution expanded through partnerships with streaming platforms, making the full season accessible to international audiences shortly after its Canadian broadcast. The season's filming schedule and production logistics were managed by the show's core team, ensuring continuity with the established visual and comedic style. For more details on the show's production and distribution, you can visit the official CBC page for Schitt's Creek here.
Critical Reception and Viewership Trends
Schitt's Creek season 2 received positive critical reception, with reviewers praising the cast's performances and the show's character development. The season holds a 97% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on reviews from major outlets. Critics highlighted the ensemble's chemistry and the writing's shift toward emotional depth alongside the comedy. The season's viewership grew modestly compared to season 1, drawing increased attention from both domestic Canadian audiences and international viewers through streaming platforms.
The show's growing popularity during season 2 laid the groundwork for its subsequent critical acclaim and award wins in later seasons. Industry analysts noted the series' strong performance in the comedy category, with its streaming availability contributing to a steady increase in audience numbers. The season's success is also reflected in its cultural impact, with the show becoming a staple of modern television comedy discussions. For broader industry context on streaming viewership trends, you can check the latest data from Forbes here.