Binge-watch CBC's buzziest hit series 'Sort Of' on CBC Gem
Starring Bilal Baig, ‘Sort Of’ concludes with Season 3
If you haven't heard of this must-watch series yet, Sort Of stars Sabi Mehboob (played by Bilal Baig), a gender-expansive millennial in Toronto who is so over-editing themselves to make others comfortable. From love to family to career — every aspect of Sabi's life is in transition.
Created by Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo, Sort Of is a co-production between CBC, Max and Sphere Media. Since its debut on CBC in 2021 Sort Of has made its way into the hearts of viewers from around the world, nabbing prestigious awards along the way.
Where can I watch Sort Of?
You can watch Sort Of free on CBC Gem.
CBC Gem is available for free as an App for iOS, tvOS, Fire TV, Android TV, Android phones and tablets, LG and Samsung Smart TVs, Roku, and Xbox One/S/X and online at gem.cbc.ca
What is Sort Of about?
Sabi works as both a part-time nanny to a young professional couple and a bartender at a local queer bookstore/bar. They are surrounded by a loving community, but they are still working out how to be their authentic self with their conservative family. But Sabi isn't the only person going through big change; people in their life are also chafing against expectations, grappling with the messy joys and pains of letting go.
Sort Of was co-created by and stars Bilal Baig, the first queer (trans-feminine) South Asian and Muslim in Canada to be cast in the lead role of a Canadian primetime TV series.
Baig and the Sort Of team consciously chose not to root the show's story solely in trauma.
"Because I feel like I've seen enough of it, particularly for trans people, trans women of colour," they said. "It's that balance of, we're going for real, we're going for honest — with a side of gentleness."
What happens in Season 3 of Sort Of?
The third and final season shows Sabi coming to terms with feelings of grief and an unexpected sense of freedom following the death of their father. Without the constraints of living up to their father's expectations, Sabi confronts big questions about their identity, prompting massive life choices.
In a season that has the entire ensemble grappling with aftermaths, a rebirth comes in a sort of messy, sort of hopeful, sort of 'Sort Of' way.
Who appears in Sort Of?
In addition to Baig, returning cast members include
- Gray Powell as Paul;
- Amanda Cordner as 7ven;
- Ellora Patnaik as Raffo;
- Supinder Wraich as Aqsa;
- Kaya Kanashiro as Violet;
- Aden Bedard as Henry;
- Raymond Cham Jr. as Wolf;
- Becca Blackwell as Deenzie;
- Ali Hassan as Shehraz;
- Kareem Vaude as Kareem;
- Varun Saranga as Izzy;
- Ayesha Mansur Gonsalves as Mumtaz;
- Grace Lynn Kung as Bessy.
Internationally acclaimed author, poet, comedian and public speaker Alok Vaid-Menon, and accomplished writer, producer and actor Angelica Ross (American Horror Story, Pose) will make cameo appearances in Season 3.
Why is Sort Of ending with Season 3?
In a statement on social media, Baig and Filippo stated the show's conclusion was not because it was cancelled. Instead, they said it was a mutual decision, brought about as the show naturally reached its conclusion.
"It's been such an incredible privilege to make this show for these last three years, working with every single person, cast and crew, who helped make our vision a reality. We feel incredibly fortunate to have received your love and enthusiasm and passion for all things Sort Of and to be totally real, to end the show was a very difficult decision to make."
They continued on with, "We set out to tell a story about a kind of transition in Sabi's life, and how those around them also change — and we feel in this coming season that story came to an end in a way that felt right for us. We're aware that series like ours, shows that feature queer and trans characters, tend to get cancelled early on, and we know that's been happening a lot recently. We want to say that's not what's going down here. We made this third season knowing it would be our last. A big shout-out to Sphere Media, CBC and Max for believing in the story and for helping us tell it over these last few years."
"While this will be a bittersweet farewell for all of us, we understand Bilal and Fab's decision to wrap up the series at a time that feels right to them," said Trish Williams, Executive Director, Scripted Content, CBC. "Thank you to Bilal, Fab, Sphere Media and the entire cast and crew for sharing their heartfelt vision and voices over three remarkable seasons and helping so many people feel reflected and understood for the first time."
Where does Sort Of take place?
Sort Of is set in Toronto. Season 3 was filmed in both Toronto and Hamilton locations.
What awards has Sort Of won?
The acclaimed dramatic comedy has cemented its place in the comedic landscape by winning multiple awards. Here are a few:
- Seven 2023 Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Comedy Series
- A Peabody in the Entertainment Category at the 82nd Annual Peabody Awards (they were nominated again this year!)
- Banff Rockie Award for Program of the Year
- Three 2022 Canadian Screen Awards for Best Comedy Series, Best Writing, Comedy, and the Members' Choice Series Ensemble Award;
- GLAAD Media Award nomination for Outstanding New TV Series in 2022 and 2023
- Baig received the CMF Trans Barrier Breaker Award during the 2023 TIFF Trans Filmmakers SummitGLAAD Media Award nomination for Outstanding New TV Series in 2022 and 2023
- Baig and Filippo received a Writer's Guild of Canada Screenwriting Award in 2022
Binge-watch the entire series on CBC Gem now.
