Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a surprise visit to the set of the popular CBC comedy series “Son of a Critch” along with his youngest son, who shares his father’s enthusiasm for the show. The 12-year-old, Hadrien Trudeau, will make a cameo appearance in the upcoming fifth season of the show, playing an extra in a school scene where classmates discover their roles in a school play.
Creator Mark Critch revealed that he deliberately avoided including the elder Trudeau in any scenes, humorously remarking that they already had a drama teacher on set. Trudeau and his son are avid fans of the show, and Critch extended an invitation for them to visit the set in Newfoundland, where Hadrien had the opportunity to join the cast as an extra.
Trudeau documented the experience on his Instagram account, expressing gratitude for the opportunity and praising the show as quintessentially Canadian. During their two-day visit to the set in St. John’s, the father-son duo interacted with the cast and crew, with Trudeau observing his son’s performance on the production monitors.
Even the seasoned actor Malcolm McDowell, who plays Pops on the show, was impressed by Hadrien’s knowledge and engagement, as the young enthusiast shared trivia and insights about the production with him. British actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, portraying a young Mark Critch, also had a chat with Hadrien discussing acting decisions, blocking techniques, and background tips.
Trudeau and Critch have a history of collaboration, having appeared together on the political satire show “This Hour Has 22 Minutes.” Their mutual appreciation for each other’s work was evident when Trudeau and his son attended Critch’s book launch in Ottawa last year. Trudeau, who has three children, including Xavier and Ella-Grace, has seen his eldest son, Xavier, venture into a music career, releasing his debut R&B track “Til The Nights Done” in 2025, featuring vocals from his sister.
The interaction between Trudeau’s family and the cast of “Son of a Critch” showcased a blend of entertainment and shared passions, adding a personal touch to the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the popular series.