Just For Laughs today announced its highly anticipated return to Toronto, bringing a stellar lineup of comedic talent to venues across the city. Revealing its first round of headliners that will take the stage from September 18-27, 2025 Just For Laughs Toronto will feature popular comedians such as the entertaining Gabriel Iglesias, the hilarious Sarah Millican, viral sensation Dropout Improv, and fan favourites Maria Bamford, Al Madrigal, Big Jay Oakerson and Ron Funches. Fresh off successful runs at the Montreal Festival Che Durena, Jay Jurden, Gina Yashere, Alistair Ogden and more will deliver unforgettable performances, with additional headliners still to be announced.
“We’re proud to bring a great Just For Laughs lineup to Toronto this year,” said Sylvain Parent-Bédard, President & CEO of Just For Laughs. “It’s a great opportunity to share our comedy spirit with audiences in the city, and we can’t wait for Toronto audiences to laugh with us once again.”
“We’re beyond excited to announce an incredible lineup of comedy programming for this year’s Just For Laughs Toronto Festival — get ready for unforgettable performances, big laughs, and the best in stand-up and more from around the world,” said Nick Brazao, JFL’s Head of Programming and Talent.
With a dynamic mix of international stars, breakout talent, and must-see live shows, this year’s Festival captures the full spectrum of comedy. Performances will take place at various venues across the city including Bluma Appel Theatre, Comedy Bar Bloor & Danforth, Elgin Theatre, Meridian Hall, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Randolph Theatre, and Scotiabank Arena. Pre-sale tickets are available July 30 at 10 a.m. ET and public on sale begins July 31 at 10 a.m. ET at hahaha.com.
Lineup includes:
AL MADRIGAL: September 20, 7pm | Bluma Appel Theatre
Best known as a correspondent on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, Al Madrigal’s stand-up career took off when he won a Jury Award For Best Stand-Up Comedian at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. Most recently, Madrigal played Oscar on the NBC comedy Lopez Vs. Lopez. In addition to being an actor on numerous TV shows including Bob’s Burgers and Curb Your Enthusiasm, Madrigal’s many film credits include The Way Back with Ben Affleck and Night School alongside Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish.
ALISTAIR OGDEN: September 25, 7pm | Comedy Bar – Bloor
One of Canada’s top comedic talents, Alistair Ogden has brought his trademark witty and self-deprecating style of stand-up to televised sets for Canada’s Got Talent, the Halifax Comedy Festival — and was recently named a New Faces Standup at Just For Laughs Montreal. His jokes have been featured on CBC Radio’s Laugh Out Loud, a JFL Originals comedy album, and have amassed over 20 million views and rising across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
ASHWYN SINGH: September 24, 7pm | Comedy Bar – Danforth
Ashwyn Singh is a standup comedian, musician, and writer whose work blends incisive humor with heartfelt social commentary. An Indian immigrant turned Canadian resident, Ashwyn draws on his unique perspective to explore themes of cultural identity, immigration, and family with wit and relatability. His viral Desi Translations series, which has over 40 million views, celebrates the artistry of Hindi and Urdu lyrics by reinterpreting everyday English phrases. Beyond social media, Ashwyn’s standup comedy tackles social issues like immigration, religion, politics, mental health, and global conflicts, highlighting the hypocrisy in human behavior with sharp humor.
BIG JAY OAKERSON: September 21, 6pm | Randolph Theatre
Big Jay Oakerson is one of the most beloved and easily recognizable comedians working today. His laid-back style and dirty delivery are the signature marks of his comedy. Constantly touring the country, Jay has been a part of some of the biggest comedy festivals. Every week, Jay co-host’s The Bonfire alongside Bob Kelly on Radio Sirius XM 95 and two wildly popular podcasts Legion of Skanks with Luis J. Gomez and Dave Smith and The SDR (Sex, Drugs & Rock & Roll) Show with Ralph Sutton. On the screen, Jay has been featured on This Is Not Happening with Ari Shaffir, Comedy Underground with Dave Attell, FX’s Emmy winning Louie, Inside Amy Schumer, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon & Conan O’Brien. This year, Jay released his newest hour, Dog Belly on YouTube already garnering over 1.7 million views.
BRITTANY SCHMITT: September 18 – 20, 9pm | Comedy Bar – Bloor
Brittany Schmitt is an LA-based, Wisconsin-raised comic. She likes her comedy like she likes her cheese: stanky. Don’t be fooled by her girl-next-door looks, her humor is insidious and unapologetic. She’s been featured in clubs across the country opening for Theo Von, Chris Redd and more. She was on Comedy Central’s Stand-Up Featuring, Don’t Tell Comedy: Backyard Series and just put out her debut comedy special: From Ho to Housewife with 800 Pound Gorilla on July 19th, with many of the clips hitting over 10M+ views.
CHE DURENA: September 20, 8:30pm | Randolph Theatre
Che Durena is best known for his viral videos and impressive social media presence, with over 8 million followers and counting. His content has garnered over 1 billion views worldwide. A seasoned standup comic with more than a decade of experience, Che has performed at the world’s largest comedy festival three times, headlining sold-out theater shows and sharing stages with comedy greats like Jay Pharoah, Fortune Feimster, Brad Williams, and Lil Rel Howery. Che had the privilege of opening for Bert Kreischer during the Tops Off Stadium Tour, performing to a crowd of over 12,000. He’s appeared on JFL All Access, Comedy Network, and CraveTV, and his comedy album Tales From My Butthole showcases his stand-out humor.
CONNER O’MALLEY: September 13, 7pm & 9:30pm | Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Conner O’Malley recently appeared in A24’s feature film Bodies, Bodies, Bodies and Jane Schoenbrun’s I Saw The TV Glow. His comedy special, Stand Up Solutions, premiered on YouTube this spring. He previously recurred and wrote on Adult Swim’s Joe Pera Talks With You. His other acting credits include Palm Springs, I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson, Detroiters, and Broad City.
DROPOUT IMPROV: September 27, 7pm | Meridian Hall
From the minds behind Dropout comes an evening of improv, minigames, and off-the-wall shenanigans. Hosted by Kurt Maloney, and featuring the improv talents of Kimia Behpoorni, Kurt Maloney, Jeremy Culhane, Vic Michaelis, Jess McKenna, and Scott Passarella.
FABRIZIO COPANO: September 27, 7pm | Randolph Theatre
Fabrizio Copano is one of the most well-known and highly regarded comedians in Latin America. He was the first South American comedian to shoot an original comedy special for Netflix and tours globally, selling out across the US, Latin America, and Europe. His 2016 film Prueba de Actitud (Attitude Test) which he co-wrote, directed, and starred in remains one of Chile’s highest grossing comedies of all time. Actor and writer of the hit Chilean comedy show El Club de la Comedia, Copano also led his own award-winning late night show El Late de Copano, and hosted La Culpa es de Colon for Comedy Central Latin America, which showcased the top five comedians from five countries across Latin America. Fabrizio was chosen as part of the coveted Just for Laughs 2022 New Faces cohort and CBS 2025 Comics to Watch Showcase, and made his American late-night debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden, a historic appearance for a Chilean comedian that made national headlines.
GABRIEL IGLESIAS: September 19, 8pm | Scotiabank Arena
Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias is one of the world’s most successful stand-up comedians and one of the highest grossing touring comedians of all time. He is one of the most watched comedians on YouTube with over 2 billion views and over 34.6 million fans across social media. He was the 3rd highest grossing comedian of 2024 according to Billboard. Iglesias has been included in The Hollywood Reporter’s “Top 40 Comedy Players” issue alongside comedy giants Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock and Lorne Michaels and was also honored with the cover of Variety’s comedy issue.
GAVIN MATTS: September 26, 7pm | Randolph Theatre
Originally from Vancouver, Gavin now lives in New York now and performs regularly at the Comedy Cellar and The Stand. In 2024, he was named one of Vulture Magazine’s “Comedians You Should and Will Know.” Gavin’s debut special, Progression, released in October 2023, was produced by All Things Comedy and Bill Burr, and received acclaim from New York Magazine, which called it “dark comedy at its best.” Gavin has made acting appearances on Hulu’s Ramy, Easter Sunday and recur’d in season 4 of HBO MAX’s HACKS.
GINA YASHERE: September 27, 7pm & 9pm | Comedy Bar – Bloor
Gina Yashere is an internationally acclaimed comedian and one of the creators and showrunners of the Chuck Lorre series Bob ❤ Abishola starring Billy Gardell on CBS that ran for 5 seasons. Gina can be seen as part of Season 2 of Netflix’s half-hour comedy series, The Standups. She was the British correspondent for Comedy Central’s The Daily Show With Trevor Noah and has appeared on That’s My Jam, Def Comedy Jam, Live At The Apollo, TruTV’s Comedy Knockout, and NBC’s The Tonight Show. Gina is currently filming a new Star Trek series Starfleet Academy that will be on Paramount + in 2025.
HAMOODI: September 25, 9pm | Comedy Bar – Danforth
Hamoodi, aka TheFob4, hilarious takes on immigrant life and cultural clashes have resonated with Canadians vaulting him into a standup career where he’s sold-out theatres in major cities. His skits mix humor with relatable insights, especially for diaspora communities. With a strong presence on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Hamoodi has built a loyal following by blending cultural Canadian commentary with modern pop culture.
HARI KONDABOLU: September 21, 7pm & 9pm | Comedy Bar – Danforth
Hari Kondabolu is a comedian, writer and podcaster based in Brooklyn. The NY Times called him “one of the most exciting political comics in stand-up today.” He was also named one of 2018’s “Comics To Watch” by Variety. His 2023 special Vacation Baby is currently streaming on Hulu. In 2017, his truTV documentary The Problem with Apu was released to critical acclaim and spurred a global conversation about race and representation. Additionally, he has performed on such shows as Conan, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and The Late Show with David Letterman among many others. He is also a former writer & correspondent on the much loved, Chris Rock produced FX show Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. In 2022, he hosted the Netflix food competition series Snack vs Chef along with Megan Stalter. A regular on public radio, Hari is a panelist on the NPR game show Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me.
IAN FIDANCE: September 26, 9:30pm and September 27, 7pm & 9pm | Comedy Bar – Danforth
Ian Fidance is an offbeat yet upbeat New York City comic, actor, and writer, that Dave Attell has described as a “Power Act” and Ron Bennington has called “One of the most unique comics working today.” He just dropped his debut special titled, Ian Fidance: Wild Happy & Free, and his wildly popular podcast Bein’ Ian with Jordan, co-hosted with fellow comic Jordan Jensen, is available on all platforms. His television, writing, and other credits include Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Gilly and Keeves Sketch Show, Comedy Central’s Crank Yankers, HBO Max’s Pause with Sam Jay, Netflix’s Waffles + Mochi, TBS’ The Last O.G., as well as writing for multiple Comedy Central Roasts.
JAY JURDEN: September 18 – 20, 7pm | Comedy Bar – Bloor
Jay Jurden is a New York based comedian, writer and actor. Originally from Mississippi, Jay regularly performs comedy all over the country and was a staff writer for Apple TV+’s Emmy-nominated show, The Problem With Jon Stewart. Jay has performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon three times and has also been seen on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Comedy Central Featuring, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and HBO’s High Maintenance. Jay was named one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch in 2022. His album, Jay Jurden Y’all, debuted #1 on iTunes. He was listed on Vulture’s Comedians You Should and Will Know in 2020 and was selected to be featured in Just for Laughs Festival’s New Faces in 2019.
LANGSTON KERMAN: September 18, 7pm & 9pm | Comedy Bar – Danforth
Langston Kerman is an LA based comedian, writer, and actor. His hour-long comedy special Bad Poetry, directed and produced by John Mulaney, was named one of the best 10 specials of the year by Vulture. Langston recently wrote/produced for Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney (Netflix). As an actor Langston’s credits include roles on Abbot Elementary (ABC), English Teacher (FX) The Boys (Amazon), Insecure (HBO), Bless This Mess (ABC), Not Dead Yet (ABC), The Other Black Girl (Hulu/Onyx). Langston is currently developing a pilot at FX that he’s co-writing with Nick Kroll. He starred in, co-created and executive produced Bust Down (Peacock), with Sam Jay, Chris Redd and Jak Knight. He was the head writer/one of the executive producers of Pause With Sam Jay (HBO.. Langston also wrote for 2 seasons of South Side (HBO Max) and he recurs on the series as ‘Adam Bethune’. Langston’s podcast My Momma Told Me is part of Will Ferrell’s Big Money Players Network through iHeartMedia.
MARIA BAMFORD: September 27, 7pm | Bluma Appel Theatre
Maria Bamford is revered for her deeply personal and experimental comedy about mental illness. She’s the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult and is the star of four hour-long standup specials (Local Act, Weakness is the Brand, Old Baby and Maria Bamford: the special, special, special!) and the surreal, semi-autobiographical Netflix comedy series Lady Dynamite, about a comedian who suffers a nervous breakdown. Maria was the first female comic to have two half-hour Comedy Central Presents specials and starred alongside Patton Oswalt, Zach Galifianakis and Brian Posehn in The Comedians of Comedy. She also created and starred in the cult hit web series The Maria Bamford Show, in which she plays all the characters.
MARK FORWARD: September 19, 7pm & 9pm | Comedy Bar – Danforth
Mark Forward will perform his third comedy special Mark Forward presents Safari Time, which will be recorded for future release. He has performed on John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show (Comedy Central), The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS), Funny As Hell (HBO) and Just For Laughs. TV work includes Hulu comedy series Letterkenny, Donny Mashman on Fargo (FX) and The Jon Dore Television Show. Mark has two specials: Mark Forward presents Mark Forward and Mark Forward Wins All the Awards.
RON FUNCHES: September 19, 7pm | Randolph Theatre
Ron Funches is an accomplished stand-up comedian, actor and writer. Ron has had many memorable television roles including The Goldbergs, Blackish, New Girl, Transparent, Single Drunk Female, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Powerless Undateable, and Loot. Ron has also co-starred in many feature films such as Get Hard alongside Will Ferrell, Lexi, Noelle, 6 Underground and 80 for Brady. Ron has leant his voice to many projects including DreamWorks’ Trolls, Disney’s Ivan The Great, Harley Quinn, Bob’s Burgers, Adventure Time, Final Space, The Great North and many more. His personal appearances include Conan, The Tonight Show, Match Game, To Tell The Truth, Chopped, Cupcake Wars, Celebrity Family Feud, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and Nailed It.
SARAH MILLICAN: September 19 – 21 at 7pm | Meridian Hall
Following her sold out show in 2022, the hilarious Sarah Millican is back on tour with her brand new stand-up show Sarah Millican: Late Bloomer. Sarah is one the UK’s and, in recent years, the world’s most well-loved touring comedians. Her most recent tour Bobby Dazzler was seen by over 355,00 people around the globe. Sarah has toured with six live shows since 2010, which in total, have been seen by in excess of 1.3 million people. She is known for hosting three series of her critically acclaimed BBC2 series The Sarah Millican Television Programme, for which she received two BAFTA nominations. Sarah is a Sunday Times bestselling author with her debut book, How To Be Champion. In November 2019 she launched her own YouTube channel which has amassed 400,000 subscribers and over 66 million views.
QUEMADOS: September 21, 6:30pm & 9pm | Comedy Bar – Bloor
Fer Sanjiao is a Netflix-featured Argentinian comedian with 23 years of stand-up experience and six Comedy Central specials across Latin America and Spain. Fer has written for top Latin radio and TV, and regularly performs across the Spanish-speaking world. One of Argentina’s most beloved comedy voices.
Juan Cajiao is a Colombian-Canadian comedian, TEDx speaker, and co-founder of Latin Comedy Fest, North America’s largest Latin comedy festival. He’s performed over 1,000 shows across 16 countries, with appearances on Comedy Central and at top comedy festivals worldwide. Juan is also co-founder of MalPensando, Canada’s first Spanish-language comedy hub, and the reTHINK Group, which has trained 50,000+ professionals globally.
Stephan Dyer is a Costa Rican-Canadian comedian. A former Scotiabank exec turned comic, he’s performed 1,000+ shows in 17 countries—including his recent sold-out 9-city EuroTour. With 500K+ followers and 100M+ views, Stephan’s smart, bilingual comedy connects across cultures. He’s co-founder of Canada’s Latin Comedy Fest and just wrapped a 22-city sold-out national tour.
TODD BARRY: September 25, 7pm | Randolph Theatre
Todd Barry has released four one-hour stand-up specials including his latest one, Domestic Shorthair. He’s appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Show with David Letterman, Conan and Late Night with Seth Meyers. His acting credits include the feature films The Wrestler and Road Trip. He has also starred in several television series such as Flight of the Concords, Chappelle’s Show, Spin City, Sex and the City and many more. You may have heard his voice on the animated series Bob’s Burgers, Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Todd is also the author of the critically-acclaimed 2017 travel memoir Thank You For Coming To Hattiesburg.
TWO DYKES AND A MIC: September 25 – 26, 7pm | Comedy Bar – Danforth
Two Dykes and a Mic is a weekly comedy podcast and touring live show. Comedians and IRL BFFs McKenzie Goodwin and Rachel Scanlon host the world’s greatest and gayest show of all time. Get your nose ready, because you’re about to snort queer joy and laugh your gay cans off. Hosts Rachel Scanlon and McKenzie Goodwin keep listeners up to date with “Gay News”, relationship advice with “Ask a Dyke”, dating horror stories with weekly “Bumble Fumbles”, fan favorite segments like “What’s Gayer” and “Who Tops Who” and more! McKenzie Goodwin is an LA-based comedian and writer. She’s been described as the“Norah Jones of comedy” due to her low energy, soft voice and repertoire of material that slaps HARD. Yes, she’s gay… stop asking. Rachel Scanlon is a stand up comedian from Minnesota. Ray has performed all over the country and legend has it, is the best comedian to ever live. You’ve seen Ray on Don’t Tell Comedy, JFL’s Straight Up Stand Up, and Comedy Central.
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ABOUT JUST FOR LAUGHS
Created in 1983, Just For Laughs is a world leader in comedy. Just For Laughs organises numerous festivals, including the world’s largest comedy festival in Montréal. The company has launched the careers of many renowned comedians and entertained millions of spectators each year through its festivals and content broadcast in more than 150 countries. Just For Laughs manages the careers of artists and produces shows, musicals, television series and films. Just For Laughs is a leading brand of the Just For Entertainment Group which, since its foundation in 1997, has established itself as an international leader in creating a world of entertainment. Just For Entertainment was historically known as ComediHa!
Emancipation Arts proudly presents FREEUP! Emancipation Day 2025, a vibrant, in-person celebration of FREEDOM on Friday, August 1, 2025, from 12 PM to 4 PM at The Distillery Historic District.
Hosted by acclaimed artist and cultural leader Ngozi Paul and friends, this free, family friendly afternoon brings Toronto together through music, dance, art, and community joy.
A signature highlight will be the presentation of the Rosemary Sadlier Freedom Award to legendary playwright and visionary artist Djanet Sears, for her immeasurable impact on Canadian arts and Black storytelling.
“We’re honouring Djanet Sears with the Rosemary Sadlier Freedom Award because her impact on our cultural landscape is immeasurable,” said Ngozi Paul, founder of Emancipation Arts. “She’s an iconic artist—an actor, writer, director, and teacher—but also a builder of spaces. Through works like Afrika Solo, Harlem Duet, and The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God, she’s offered us stories rooted in truth, legacy, and liberation… Her work carries both excellence and generosity—and we simply wouldn’t be here without her.”
HIGHLIGHTED PERFORMERS & EXPERIENCES
The Recipee Band – A crowd favourite blending R&B, Gospel, Motown, Reggae & Soul with irresistible charisma.
Charmie Deller – A Haitian-Canadian musical gem whose voice fuses Pop Soul and R&B with emotional power.
DJ MelBoogie – A Canadian legend spinning the sounds of liberation all afternoon. RAP SHEETS x DJ Nana & North English – Where lyrics meet legacy: a high-energy
trivia event celebrating Hip Hop and R&B culture.
ZahraMoves – A traditional West African dance and song experience from Ghana. Michael Mortley – High-energy Soca dance session to lift your body and spirit. Adrian Hayles – Live painting installation from renowned muralist and artist, presented with Worth Gallery.
Wellness Features – Free massages (first come, first served), face painting for kids, and a welcoming vibe for all ages.
FULL EVENT SCHEDULE
12:00 PM – Welcome!!! Glamma + DJ Akeem (Opening Set)
12:30 PM – The Recipee Band
1:00 PM – RAP SHEETS Hip Hop & R&B Trivia
1:30 PM – SOCA Dance Demo with Michael Mortley
2:00 PM – Rosemary Sadlier Freedom Award Presentation
2:15 PM – Charmie Deller Acoustic Set
2:35 PM – DJ MelBoogie Set
3:00 PM – ZahraMoves African Dance Experience
3:30 PM – The Recipee Band – Closing Set
4:00 PM – Event Sign-Off
About FREEUP!
Produced by Emancipation Arts, FREEUP! is an annual event marking Emancipation Day through art, performance, and inspiration and education. It uplifts the stories, struggles, and triumphs of Black communities past and present.
About Emancipation Arts
Emancipation Arts is a Black-led organization, founded by Ngozi Paul, committed to amplifying stories of liberation through performance, public engagement, and creative leadership.
The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 has made waves around the world, drawing more than 25 million viewers globally on Prime Video in its first seven days of release.
The latest chapter in Jenny Han’s beloved coming-of-age series is now the #1 title globally on Prime Video and has reached the top spot in over 120 countries during its debut week.
Season 3 has also delivered significant global viewership growth for the second consecutive season, surpassing Season 2 by 40% in its first week. Since the show’s debut, viewership has tripled from Season 1 to Season 3 over the same timeframe.
With this milestone, The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 has become the fifth most-watched returning season in Prime Video history, trailing only behind fan-favourites Reacher Seasons 2 and 3, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, and The Boys Season 4.
The series also claimed the #1 most-watched TV season among Women 18-34, continuing to resonate strongly with a core demographic that has helped fuel its global popularity.
“Seeing how The Summer I Turned Pretty has resonated with millions—how the story has sparked so many fan conversations, sent the books back on the bestseller lists, and inspired so many viewers’ reactions across social media—it’s everything I could have hoped for and more,” said Jenny Han, creator and co-showrunner. “I’m incredibly proud of what we made. I’m grateful we got to make all three seasons, one for each book, and grateful that audiences have been so passionately embracing the story I wanted to tell.”
Bell and Rogers today announced an agreement to distribute each other’s specialty channels across platforms.
As part of the agreement, Bell Fibe TV and Satellite TV subscribers will now have access to popular Rogers Sports & Media channels HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, Magnolia Network and Investigation Discovery, along with continued access to Bravo. These channels will be available to all customers in free preview beginning today.
In addition, Rogers Xfinity customers will continue to have full access to Bell Media’s Specialty portfolio, which includes channels such as USA Network, Oxygen True Crime, and CTV specialty channels, including CTV Comedy Channel, CTV Drama Channel and CTV Sci-Fi Channel. Rogers Xfinity customers continue to have access to HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, Magnolia Network and Investigation Discovery.
Today’s announcement reflects a strong commitment to deliver greater value and choice to Canadian consumers. With a diverse program offering including new titles, international hits and great Canadian productions, customers can look forward to a rich and diverse viewing experience.
“Delivering the most compelling content to Canadians is our focus, and this agreement furthers that goal. We are providing customers more choice and ensuring Rogers customers will continue to have access to Bell Media favourites like Highway Thru Hell, Heavy Rescue 401 and Fear Thy Neighbor on our specialty channels. By making these channels more widely available, we’re giving viewers more of what they love while strengthening the Canadian broadcasting ecosystem.”
•Kevin Cluett, SVP, Distribution and Product Platforms, Bell Media
“It’s great that more Canadians will now have access to North America’s most recognized and beloved specialty TV brands like HGTV, Food Network and Discovery, and can access new titles and the latest seasons of top shows from Rogers Sports & Media. The premium content we’ve invested in is unmatched in Canada, offering Canadians the programming they want most, including hits like My Lottery Dream Home, Beat Bobby Flay and Expedition Unknown, along with new series Chasing The West with Drew and Jonathan Scott.”
•Hayden Mindell, SVP Television, Rogers Sports & Media
Following its exciting unveiling at Annecy International Animation Festival last month, Marvel Animation’s “Eyes of Wakanda” will now be available for fans to enjoy on Disney+ earlier than anticipated. The all-new series, which features four episodes, will debut on August 1, 2025.
The new action-adventure series, which was produced in partnership with Proximity Media’s Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian and Kalia King, follows the adventures of brave Wakandan warriors throughout history. In this globe-trotting adventure, the heroes must carry-out dangerous missions to retrieve Vibranium artifacts from the enemies of Wakanda. They are the Hatut Zaraze and this is their story. Featuring the voices of Winnie Harlow, Cress Williams, Patricia Belcher, Larry Herron, Adam Gold, Lynn Whitfield, Jacques Colimon, Jona Xiao, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Gary Anthony Williams, Zeke Alton, Steve Toussaint and Anika Noni Rose, “Eyes of Wakanda” is helmed by director/executive producer Todd Harris, a director, producer and storyboard artist who has worked on some of the world’s biggest film franchises from “John Wick” to the MCU. Over the years, Harris has been a close collaborator to director Ryan Coogler, first as a storyboard artist on “Black Panther” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” then as an illustrator on “Sinners” before directing “Eyes of Wakanda.” The show is executive produced by Ryan Coogler, Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito and Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt.
Toronto traffic just got a little easier and a lot more rewarding! Starting today until August 30, Jackpot City Casino is bringing back its wildly popular free cab campaign for a second summer, offering complimentary rides and a shot at winning big cash prizes. It’s all part of Jackpot City’s mission to give back to Torontonians in a fun, unexpected way.
Five eye-catching purple-wrapped Co-op Cabs with digital taxi tops have already hit the streets of Toronto, picking up riders and transforming everyday commutes into unforgettable moments, with free rides available to anyone, anywhere in the city.
And this year, there’s an added twist: each week starting August 4, one lucky rider will step out of their free cab with a cash prize in hand – a surprise moment designed to brighten their day. The stakes rise each week, starting with a $1,000 giveaway and increasing to $5,000, $10,000, and culminating in a grand finale of $20,000 in the final week.
For more information, visit jackpotcity.ca and follow on Instagram at @jackpotcityontario.
About Jackpot City:
Welcome to Ontario’s most exciting online casino experience! As one of the first licensed online casinos in Ontario, Jackpot City doesn’t just offer games; it also delivers thrilling entertainment. Dive into the huge offering of premium games, with all manner of genres to try out and enjoy. Apart from entertaining games, the world-class responsible gaming tools ensure players stay in control, while keeping players’ information private and protected with the latest encryption and partnering with only the most reputable names in online banking. The action never stops; the mobile platform means that Jackpot City can be enjoyed from anywhere, at any time. This is what excitement is made of!
On Friday at San Diego Comic-Con, fans packed the Gen Vpanel as Prime Video debuted the official trailer for the highly anticipated second season of the acclaimed spinoff series set in the Emmy Award-winning world of The Boys. This season of Gen V introduces key events and revelations that feed directly into the final chapter of The Boys. The first three episodes premiere September 17, 2025 exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Cast members Jaz Sinclair, Maddie Phillips, London Thor, Derek Luh, Hamish Linklater, and showrunner Michele Fazekas took the stage for the exciting panel, which was moderated by franchise fan favorite cast member, P.J. Byrne.
The panel opened with a surprise greeting from a member of The Seven and Godolkin University alumnus, The Deep, played by Chace Crawford, who returns as a guest star in Season Two of Gen V.
The official Season Two trailer teases exciting developments for fan-favorite characters, surprising cameos from The Boys universe, the casting of Ethan Slater (Wicked) in a recurring role as Thomas Godolkin, and more unexpected reveals.
Sean Patrick Thomas (Till), who portrays Polarity, has been promoted to series regular for the upcoming season.
Slater is best known for playing ‘Boq’ in the Oscar-winning film Wicked, earning a SAG nomination, and a Tony nomination for the title role in Broadway’s SpongeBob SquarePants. He also received acclaim forSpamalot and will appear next in Gen V as well as CBS’ Elsbeth.
In Season Two, school is back in session. As the rest of America adjusts to Homelander’s iron fist, back at Godolkin University, the mysterious new Dean preaches a curriculum that promises to make students more powerful than ever. Cate and Sam are celebrated heroes, while Marie, Jordan, and Emma reluctantly return to college, burdened by months of trauma and loss. But parties and classes are hard to care about with war brewing between Humans and Supes, both on and off campus. The gang learns of a secret program that goes back to the founding of Godolkin University that may have larger implications than they realize. And, somehow, Marie is a part of it.
Season Two stars Jaz Sinclair as Marie Moreau, Lizze Broadway as Emma Meyer, Maddie Phillips as Cate Dunlap, London Thor as Jordan Li, Derek Luh as Jordan Li, Asa Germann as Sam Riordan, Sean Patrick Thomas as Polarity and Hamish Linklater as Dean Cipher.
Michele Fazekas serves as showrunner and executive producer. Eric Kripke, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, Ken Levin, Jason Netter, Garth Ennis, Darick Robertson, Michaela Starr, Ori Marmur, Thomas Schnauz, Steve Boyum, and Brant Engelstein also serve as executive producers. Loreli Alanís, Gabriel Garcia, and Jessica Chou are co-executive producers. The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios, in association with Kripke Enterprises, Point Grey Pictures, and Original Film.
FRANKENSTEIN is set to arrive on Netflix November 2025, following its debut at TIFF ’25! Today we get new stills!
DIRECTOR: Guillermo del Toro
SCREENPLAY BY: Guillermo del Toro
BASED ON: ‘Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.’ by Mary Shelley
PRODUCERS: Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale, Scott Stuber
CAST: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, David Bradley, Lars Mikkelsen, Christian Convery, with Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz
LOGLINE: Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro adapts Mary Shelley’s classic tale of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.
(Photo credit: Netflix)
SPARTACUS: HOUSE OF ASHUR got a special unveiling at San Diego Comic-Con this past weekend. This latest installment in the popular franchise, sees Ashur (Nick E. Tarabay) rise to power from his days as a slave. We also meet Achillia (Toronto’s Tenika Davis) who flips tradition and must prove herself worthy as a woman in a man’s world. And yes, I do remember Davis from Canada’s Next Top Model!
See the Teaser for the Starz series:
So amazing meeting Davis, who looked gorgeous after a weekend of work in San Diego, getting a taste of the major fandom that is about to build around this Series. We love that she’s channeling a bit of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody“, and she confesses she loves her some Whitney! Davis wrapped production on Spartacus a couple years back and is excited to see everything coming together now!
This Series is expected to debut this winter.
(Photo/video credit: Starz/Mr. Will Wong)
Currently filming its third season here in Toronto, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE quickly is seeing a surge in popularity after its second season. The Series, based on Anne Rice‘s THE VAMPIRE CHRONICLES and set in New Orleans, explores the tense relationship between two vampires, taking a much more in-depth look at race, abuse, and queer themes briefly touched upon in its popular 1994 film adaptation, which starred Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise.
We are so lucky to have spotted one of the Series’ stars Sam Reid, who plays Lestat de Lioncourt, back from an appearance in San Diego at Comic-Con 2025. The Australian star, known for his work in WAITING FOR THE BARBARIANS, BELLE, PRIME SUSPECT 1973, and more, sees his character front and center this upcoming third season, exploring his musicality. The season will actually be titled THE VAMPIRE LESTAT. The Series currently is on a filming break, but continues into October.
Here’s an exclusive featurette about Reid stepping-up to the musical challenges of playing Lestat:
Reid was absolutely lovely, low-key, stopping for a quick snap before heading on his way.
(Photo/video credit: AMC/Mr. Will Wong)
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