I KILL THE BEAR: Crave Announces its All-Star Cast
Crave has unveiled the ensemble for its forthcoming original comedy series, I KILL THE BEAR, created, written by and starring Jared Keeso. The six episode, half-hour series is currently in production in Sudbury, Ontario, with a 2026 premiere on Crave. The show follows a family of bear wranglers who work behind the scenes on film sets and, after a century in the business, decide it is time to retire and tell one last story with a final film.
An Impressive, Genre-Defying Cast
The cast blends familiar faces with rising talent, headed by Keeso and featuring a mix of music, sports and screen veterans. The ensemble includes Chad Kroeger, the Diamond-selling frontman of Nickelback; Adrian Holmes (19-2, Bel-Air); Georges St-Pierre, the mixed martial arts icon; Jonathan Torrens (Trailer Park Boys); Sarah-Maude Beauchesne (Bellefleur); Kristin Kreuk (Smallville); and Dylan Playfair. Rounding out the lineup are Eliana Jones (Shoresy), Frederick Roy (Shoresy) and Megha Sandhu (Painkiller). This dynamic group will bring humor, heart and a distinctive Canadian sensibility to the show as they navigate the challenges of life and work on a film set.
Production Details and The Sudbury Set
Produced by New Metric Media in association with Play Fun Games, I KILL THE BEAR is led by Jared Keeso as executive producer, writer and star, with story by Keeso and producer Trevor Risk. Directors Dan and Sean Skene serve as executive producers as well. The project marks another collaboration between New Metric Media and its partners as they continue to expand a portfolio that blends character-driven comedy with high-concept premises.
Filming is underway in Sudbury, Ontario, offering a real-world backdrop that complements the show’s tongue-in-cheek premise about the true inner workings of film production. The six-part series is designed as a half-hour format, with a pace that supports both character development and sharp, witty humor typical of Keeso’s storytelling voice.
A Big Picture for Canadian Comedy on Crave
International distribution for I KILL THE BEAR is handled by New Metric Media, underscoring the studio’s commitment to bringing distinctly Canadian comedy to a global audience. Crave, Bell Media, and New Metric Media have a track record of cultivating homegrown hits, and I KILL THE BEAR is positioned to join the ranks of acclaimed Canadian originals such as Letterkenny and Shoresy. The project reinforces Crave’s ongoing strategy to expand its English and French original programming while leveraging New Metric Media’s proven talent pipeline and brand-building capabilities.
<h2 Creative Team and Platform Support
Beyond Keeso, the makeup of the creative and production team includes a cadre of recognized producers and executives from Bell Media. Alison Korogyi, Sarah Fowlie, Rachel Goldstein-Couto, Carlyn Klebuc and Justin Stockman are noted for their leadership in production and development, underscoring the network’s commitment to high-caliber, resonant storytelling. As production continues in Sudbury, Crave anticipates a broad audience for a show that blends workplace comedy with a homage to a century-spanning family business in the film industry.
<h2 What to Expect
Audiences can expect a fast-paced, character-driven series that leans into Keeso’s familiar comedic voice while introducing a fresh, deliciously absurd premise—bear wranglers who decide to retire after 100 years and stage one last, unforgettable film. With a rich supporting cast and strong production backing from New Metric Media, I KILL THE BEAR is poised to become a standout Crave Original that showcases Canadian humor at its sharpest and most beloved.
