When the Canadian winter deepens and the temperatures plummet, sometimes the best escape is found not in travel, but on the screen. While challenging, thought-provoking television has its place, there's a special appeal to shows that feel like a warm, familiar sweater—comforting, cozy, and built around a good yarn.
What Makes a Show a Comfort Watch?
The definition of a "comfort show" is personal, shaped by a viewer's age, history, and tastes. However, several universal traits tend to define the genre. These series feature enough drama to be engaging but not so much that it causes stress. Their settings are often safe havens, like quaint small towns. The characters are relatable and fundamentally good-hearted, and the themes lean towards the uplifting, nostalgic, and pleasantly predictable.
Current Picks for Cozy Viewing
For those seeking new episodes to look forward to, here are five contemporary series perfect for snuggling under a blanket.
1. All Creatures Great and Small
This drama, which debuted near the start of the pandemic, instantly won hearts with its gentle portrayal of a veterinarian's life in the 1930s English countryside. A revival of the classic BBC series, it is based on James Herriot's beloved books. Fans can look forward to Season 6 launching on January 11, 2026 on PBS.
2. The Great Canadian Baking Show
Stress here is measured in fallen soufflés and overbaked cakes. This friendly CBC competition, based on the British original, offers pure, heartwarming escapism. Its ninth season concluded in November, and all seasons are available to stream on CBC Gem.
3. Queer Eye
The Netflix docuseries follows the "Fab Five" as they make over individuals' lives in fashion, beauty, food, home, and culture. While the "Heroes" stories can be emotional, the show is ultimately a profound testament to empathy and positive change. Its tenth and final season is set to premiere later this year.
4. Ted Lasso
Another pandemic-era hit, this Apple TV+ series follows an relentlessly optimistic American football coach thrust into managing a British soccer team. Its blend of humour and heart made it a global phenomenon. While Season 3 ended in May 2023, Season 4 is currently in production.
5. Virgin River
This Netflix drama, filmed in British Columbia, is a quintessential comfort watch. It follows a nurse practitioner who moves to a remote Northern California town to start anew, finding community and romance. The show has been confirmed for a seventh season.
Timeless Favourites for Guaranteed Smiles
Sometimes, the ultimate comfort comes from revisiting classic sitcoms where every problem has a simple, heartwarming solution. For reliable laughs and feel-good moments, viewers consistently return to series like:
- Friends
- The Office
- Modern Family
- Parks and Recreation
- Schitt's Creek
- Full House and its Netflix sequel Fuller House
In the heart of a Canadian winter, these shows offer a reliable source of warmth and comfort, proving that sometimes the best way to weather the cold is with a good story and characters who feel like old friends.
