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The fan-favourite hockey drama Heated Rivalry dominated the Canadian Screen awards Sunday winning the evening’s top prizes including best drama series and best lead performer for Hudson Williams.
The series entered the night riding on a red-hot winning streak after collecting 13 awards from its 18 nominations during Saturday night’s gala for scripted television. It left with a total of 16 Screen Awards in its inaugural season.
Another Canadian juggernaut, the CBC/Netflix Arctic sitcom North of North, won best comedy series and best lead performer for Anna Lambe, adding to the seven awards it snagged during Saturday’s gala including best writing and best supporting performer.
The Nunavut-shot series garnered 20 nominations.
And the acclaimed comedy, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie claimed the night’s top prize of best motion picture, besting R.T. Thorne’s post-apocalyptic thriller, 40 Acres.
Toronto-born, musician and composer, Jay McCarrol took home the award for best performance in a leading role for the feature film continuation of the cult-classic series. Sunday’s victories brought the movie’s total award count to six, including best supporting performance in a comedy for Matt Johnson, who also directed and co-wrote the film.
Fans lined the red carpet at the CBC Broadcast Centre in Toronto, where the event was held, hoping to catch a glimpse of Heated Rivalry stars, Williams and Sophie Nélisse, whose performances have helped turn the series into a worldwide sensation. The show has been steaming up TV screens with its romance between two hockey players played by Williams and Connor Storrie.
Nélisse, who plays Williams’s on-screen girlfriend Rose Landry and who nabbed a Screen Award for best supporting performer on Saturday, was presented with this year’s Radius Award. It’s an honour that recognizes individuals whose work has gained international recognition and contributes to Canada’s global reputation.
Sunday’s gala was hosted by Calgary-born actor, comedian and Kim’s Convenience star Andrew Phung, who gushed earlier this week about the Canadian content experiencing a wave of mainstream recognition this year.
“There’s so many projects that hit critical mass this year,” Phung told CBC’s Griffin Jaeger at Thursday’s rehearsal. “Eyes are on our industry, eyes are watching our projects, fans have found things they love…. I’m just so excited to be a part of it — and honestly, it’s genuinely an honour to be able to host this night.”
Sunday night’s ceremony also honoured comedian, Mike Myers. The Toronto-born star was on hand to receive the Icon Award, recognizing his ongoing contributions to the industry both at home and abroad.
Best known for his career-defining roles in Austin Powers and Wayne’s World, the Saturday Night Live alum also became known recently for popularizing the cultural phrase “elbows up” in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Canada.
His former on-screen partners and hollywood heavyweights, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Will Arnett all paid tribute to Myers in a clip played ahead of him receiving his statuette.
An emotional Myers, gave credit to his parents during his acceptance speech.
“I want to thank my mum and dad for moving to Canada and for stressing the importance of being silly,” he said while choking back tears. He wrapped his speech by saying, “Canada, I don’t know what to say dude. I’d literally be nothing without you.”
Myers’ appearance was fitting on a history-making night for the Canadian Screen Awards. For the first time, the ceremony was broadcast across multiple networks and streaming platforms, including CBC, CTV and Global. Organizers billed the expanded broadcast as a celebration of Canadian culture and a show of support for homegrown talent.
Arguably, few artists embodied that homegrown spirit more than Catherine O’Hara. The beloved Canadian actor, who died in March, was honoured during Sunday’s ceremony with a heartfelt tribute from her longtime friend and Schitt’s Creek and SCTV co-star Eugene Levy.
The celebration of O’Hara’s decades-long career also served as the introduction to the evening’s emotional in memoriam segment, featuring a performance by Tia Wood that paid tribute to the artists and industry figures who died over the past year.
Below is a list of the nominees and winners in the major categories presented at Sunday night’s ceremony.
Best Motion Picture
Jennifer Holness, 40 AcresRyan Bobkin, Sara Wylie, Sophy Romvari, Blue HeronHany Ouichoi, The Cost of Heaven | Gagne ton cielLaurie Pominville, Hany Ouichou, Eric K. Boulianne, Follies | FolichonneriesKim McCraw, Luc Déry, Lovely Day | Mille secrets mille dangersMatthew Miller, Matt Greyson, Nirvanna the Band the Show the MovieAlireza Khatami, Michael Solomon, The Things You KillSamuel Cohn-Cousineau , Jonathan Frantz, Wrong Husband | Uiksaringitara**WINNER: Matthew Miller, Matt Greyson, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
Performance in a Leading Role, Drama | Meilleure interprétation dans un premier rôle, drame
Jasmin Geljo, Cat’s CryMilya Corbeil Gauvreau, FannyGrace Glowicki, Honey BunchNina Kiri, Out StandingMichaela Kurimsky, Sweet Angel BabyMarlene Jewell, There, ThereNoah Parker, Who by Fire | Comme le feuTheresia Kappianaq, Wrong Husband | Uiksaringitara**WINNER: Grace Glowicki, Honey Bunch
Performance in a Leading Role, Comedy | Meilleure interprétation dans un premier rôle, comédie
Eric K. Boulianne, Follies | FolichonneriesCatherine Chabot, Follies | FolichonneriesFrance Castel, The Furies | Les FuriesNeil Elias, Lovely Day | Mille secrets mille dangersJay McCarrol, Nirvanna the Band the Show the MoviePatrick Hivon, Peak Everything | Amour ApocalypseKarine Gonthier-Hyndman, Two Women | Deux femmes en orLaurence Leboeuf, Two Women | Deuz femmes en or **WINNER: Jay McCarol, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
Best Lead Performer, Drama Series
Supinder Wraich, AllegianceMichelle Morgan, HeartlandFrançois Arnaud, Heated RivalryHudson Williams, Heated RivalryKathleen Munroe, Law & Order Toronto: Criminal IntentCarolina Bartczak, Plan BMelanie Scrofano, RevivalAllan Hawco, Saint-Pierre**WINNER: Hudson Williams, Heated Rivalry
Best Lead Performer, Comedy
Meaghan Rath, Children Ruin EverythingJasmeet Raina, Late BloomerMary Walsh, The Missus DownstairsAnna Lambe, North of NorthJermaine Richards, The Office MoversMeredith MacNeill, Small Achievable GoalsJennifer Whalen, Small Achievable GoalsAnastasia Phillips, The Trades**WINNER: Anna Lambe, North of North
Best Comedy Series
Children Ruin EverythingLate BloomerNorth of NorthSon of a CritchThe Trades**WINNER: North of North
Best Drama Series
Heated RivalryLaw & Order Toronto: Criminal IntentPlan BSaint-PierreWild Cards**WINNER: Heated Rivalry
Radius Award
Academy Icon Award
Gordon Sinclair Award for Broadcast Journalism
Cogeco Fund Audience Choice Award
HeartlandHeated RivalryRevival**WINNER: Heated Rivalry
For a complete list of 2026 Canadian Screen Awards winners and nominees, please visit the official site here.