Wayne is the toughest guy in Letterkenny, and he knows it. The show’s central premise is simple: a good-ol’ country boy in rural Ontario tries to protect his homegrown way of life on the farm against a world that is constantly evolving around him. The residents of Letterkenny belong to one of three groups: Hicks, Skids, and Hockey Players. They feud over seemingly trivial matters, often ending with someone getting their ass kicked.
That premise is the engine of Letterkenny (2016–2023), a Canadian sitcom created by Jared Keeso that ran for twelve seasons across 75 episodes on Crave. It premiered on February 7, 2016, and concluded on December 25, 2023. The show adapted from a YouTube series called Letterkenny Problems, and it was commissioned by Crave in March 2015. Hulu acquired exclusive U.S. streaming rights in May 2019, with the first two seasons debuting in July 2018 and subsequent seasons added on December 27, 2018.
Trailer, via Crave.
Cast and Community
The core cast is built around Wayne, played by Keeso himself. He runs a small farm and produce stand with his sister Katy, played by Michelle Mylett. His friends include Daryl, played by Nathan Dales; Squirrely Dan, played by K. Trevor Wilson; Jonesy, played by Andrew Herr; Stewart, played by Tyler Johnston; and Reilly, played by Dylan Playfair. Kim Cloutier plays Anik.
The show’s universe is divided into distinct groups, each with its own territory and its own rules. The Hicks are the farmers. The Jocks are the gym-goers and out-of-towners who play for the local ice hockey team. The Skids are the drug addicts. There is also Glen, the town’s obviously closeted Christian minister; the Natives from the nearby First Nation reservation; the neighbouring Mennonites; and the Québécois.
Each episode opens with a cold open in mockumentary style, with characters speaking directly to the camera. That format is dropped after the title sequence, and the characters rarely address the camera again within the episode. The show has been praised for subverting the trope of small-town residents being portrayed as narrow-minded and unintelligent. Almost all characters express sophisticated and informed views on social issues, producing a constant flow of one-liners.
Wayne’s World
Wayne is the heart of the show. He is a good-ol’ country boy, but he is not stupid. He is quick with a joke and quicker with his fists. His reputation as “the toughest guy in Letterkenny” is defended in early plots, often against the Skids’ schemes to rip everyone off for drug money. Wayne’s dating life also comes into play, particularly after he dumps his high school sweetheart who cheated on him.
Keeso’s performance anchors the show. He plays Wayne with a mix of swagger and vulnerability, and his timing is sharp. The show’s writing trusts him to deliver punchlines that land because the audience believes in the character.
The Feuds
The feuds are the show’s bread and butter. The Hicks, Skids, and Jocks fight over seemingly trivial matters, but the stakes are always personal. A parking space, a broken fence, a stolen tool — these are the sparks that set Letterkenny ablaze. The fights are physical, and the show does not shy away from showing someone getting their ass kicked.
The show is not subtle about its violence. It is a comedy, but the fights are real. The Skids are the recurring villains, always looking for a scheme to rip everyone off for drug money. The Jocks are the arrogant ones, always looking for a fight. The Hicks are the defenders of the farm, always ready to push back.
The show’s formula is consistent. A feud starts, it escalates, and it ends with someone getting their ass kicked. The resolution is rarely satisfying in a conventional sense. The feud is settled, but the tension simmers beneath the surface, waiting for the next episode. The show rarely deviates from this structure, and the predictability can be a weakness for viewers who want more variation in the plot.
The Spin-Off
The show spawned a spin-off, Shoresy, created by and starring Keeso. It debuted via Crave in 2022.
The show has won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Comedy Series. Its legacy is secure in Canadian television. It ran for twelve seasons, which is a long run for a sitcom.
The show’s influence extends beyond Canada. It is distributed by Hulu in the United States, and its presence there grew steadily. The first two seasons debuted in July 2018, and subsequent seasons were added on December 27, 2018. Hulu acquired exclusive U.S. streaming rights in May 2019.
The Cold Open
The cold open is a signature element. It sets the tone for the episode, establishing the problem that the show will explore. The text states, “There are 5000 people in Letterkenny. These are their problems.” That number is a constant reminder of the scale of the show. A town of 5000 people has a lot of problems, and the show delivers on that promise.
The mockumentary style is dropped after the title sequence. The characters rarely address the camera again within the episode. This allows the show to shift from a documentary-style satire to a traditional sitcom format. The contrast is jarring, but it works.
Writing and Performances
The show’s strengths are its writing and its performances. The writing is sharp, and the performances are committed.
The show’s weaknesses are its repetition and its predictability. The feuds follow a similar pattern, and the show rarely surprises the viewer. The show’s final season, released on December 25, 2023, brought the curtain down on a decade of feuding, and the show’s creators chose to end the series rather than stretch it further.
The Verdict
Letterkenny is a solid sitcom. It is not a masterpiece, but it is consistently entertaining. The show knows its world, and it knows its characters. The feuds are predictable, but the execution is sharp.
The show’s influence is clear. It has spawned a spin-off, won a Canadian Screen Award, and found a home on Hulu. Its final season arrived on December 25, 2023, bringing the curtain down on a decade of feuding.
Key Facts
- Premiere: February 7, 2016
- Finale: December 25, 2023
- Network: Crave
- Seasons: 12
- Episodes: 75
- Creator: Jared Keeso
- Stars: Jared Keeso, Nathan Dales, Michelle Mylett, K. Trevor Wilson
- U.S. platform: Hulu
- U.S. debut: July 2018
- Final season release: December 25, 2023
The show is a comedy with a purpose.
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