# Strays (TV series)
**Strays** is a Canadian television comedy that aired on CBC from September 14, 2021, to November 15, 2022. It is a spin-off of the sitcom *Kim's Convenience* and follows Shannon Ross ([Nicole Power](https://www.edgepedia.org/nicole-power)) as she leaves Handy Car Rental in Toronto to become executive director of the Hamilton East Animal Shelter in [Hamilton, Ontario](https://www.edgepedia.org/hamilton-ontario), where she manages an eclectic staff.[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/strays) • [2](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/56928/strays)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | Scripted workplace comedy, half-hour episodes; 20 episodes over two seasons of 10 each[3](https://epguides.com/Strays/) |
| Network and schedule | CBC (Canada), Tuesdays at 20:30[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/56928/strays) |
| Run | Season 1 premiered September 14, 2021; season 2 ran September 13 to November 15, 2022; status ended[3](https://epguides.com/Strays/) |
| Developed by | Kevin White, Anita Kapila, and Clara Altimas[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/56928/strays) |
| Production | Thunderbird Entertainment for CBC[4](https://solutionsmedia.cbcrc.ca/en/shows/strays) |
| Lead | Nicole Power as Shannon Ross, a character from *Kim's Convenience*[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/strays) |
| Reception | IMDb rating 5.2; JustWatch user rating 21%[5](https://www.justwatch.com/ca/tv-show/strays) |
## Premise
The series follows Shannon Ross, a character from *Kim's Convenience*, after she leaves her job at Handy Car Rental in Toronto. Now in her 30s and ready for a change, she takes over the Hamilton East Animal Shelter, where she is boss to an eclectic staff that includes her apathetic cousin Nikki (Nikki Duval), the over-eager animal care manager Kristian (Frank Cox-O'Connell), the overly sheltered office manager Joy (Tina Jung), and the building's maintenance man Paul (Tony Nappo), whose straight-faced prison humor keeps everyone on their toes. Shannon's trademark positivity is tested as she pursues a new job, new relationships, family reconnection, and self-discovery.[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/56928/strays)
According to the summary on Rotten Tomatoes, Shannon stays cheerful and eager to please even with the unconventional team and constant errors; trying to befriend everyone sometimes produces uncomfortable moments, yet all the staff genuinely care about the animals' welfare.[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/strays)
## Cast
The main cast was:[3](https://epguides.com/Strays/)
- Nicole Power as Shannon Ross
- Frank Cox-O'Connell as Kristian
- Tina Jung as Joy
- Nikki Duval as Nikki (Nikki Bernard)
- Kevin Vidal as Liam
- Tony Nappo as Paul
- Paula Boudreau as Aunt Peggy
- Emily Piggford as Lara
Later cast listings also credit [Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova](https://www.edgepedia.org/ksenia-daniela-kharlamova) as Yazmin and Leah Doz as Tonya.[5](https://www.justwatch.com/ca/tv-show/strays)
## Production and broadcast
Strays was developed for television by Kevin White (a co-showrunner of *Kim's Convenience*), Anita Kapila, and Clara Altimas, and produced by Thunderbird Entertainment.[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/56928/strays) • [4](https://solutionsmedia.cbcrc.ca/en/shows/strays) It premiered on CBC TV and CBC Gem on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, in an 8:30 p.m. Tuesday timeslot, airing after *This Hour Has 22 Minutes* and before *Moonshine* and *Sort Of* in CBC's fall 2021 lineup.[6](https://www.tv-eh.com/2021/06/02/cbc-sets-fall-schedule-and-unveils-2021-22-programming-slate-including-over-35-original-series-from-canadian-creators/)
In March 2022, CBC renewed Strays for a second season, alongside *Run the Burbs* and *Son of a Critch*, as part of its 2022-23 comedy slate.[7](https://www.c21media.net/news/canadian-pubcaster-cbc-greenlights-trio-of-original-comedies-for-second-season/) Season 2 premiered September 13, 2022, and the finale, "Work Is Its Own Award," aired November 15, 2022.[3](https://epguides.com/Strays/) Episode guides list the series as canceled/ended after 20 episodes.[3](https://epguides.com/Strays/)
CBC's own media listing currently presents Strays as a 10-episode, 30-minute comedy on CBC produced by Thunderbird Entertainment, with the original cast including Power, Cox-O'Connell, Jung, Duval, Vidal, Nappo, Boudreau, and Emily Piggford.[4](https://solutionsmedia.cbcrc.ca/en/shows/strays)
## Episodes
Season 1 ran weekly from "Cat Condo" (September 14, 2021) through "Eggs Anyone?" (November 16, 2021). Notable first-season episodes include "New Neighbours," in which Shannon enlists a reporter neighbor to do a story on the shelter, and "Speak Your Truth," in which Shannon tries to build a more inclusive culture at work.[8](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/strays/s01) Season 2's ten episodes ran from "Friends & Neighbours" (September 13, 2022) to "Work Is Its Own Award" (November 15, 2022), the latter involving Shannon's interest in a community service award and a business battle between Nikki and Jared.[3](https://epguides.com/Strays/) • [2](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/56928/strays)
## Reception and availability
Audience scores on aggregator sites were modest: [JustWatch](https://www.edgepedia.org/justwatch) reports a 21% rating (35 ratings) and an IMDb score of 5.2 from about 593 users, with a listed runtime of 22 minutes per episode.[5](https://www.justwatch.com/ca/tv-show/strays) Episode-guide data lists a 30-minute timeslot with actual runtimes of roughly 21 to 23 minutes per episode.[3](https://epguides.com/Strays/) • [9](https://thetvdb.com/series/strays/seasons/official/1)
In Canada, the series has been available for purchase on the Apple TV Store, with no free streaming options listed; internationally, Rotten Tomatoes lists Prime Video and Peacock as carrying seasons 1 and 2 in some markets.[5](https://www.justwatch.com/ca/tv-show/strays) • [1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/strays) Because of its connection to *Kim's Convenience*, the series drew attention among that show's fanbase as a lighthearted ensemble comedy set at an animal rescue shelter in Hamilton.[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/56928/strays)
## References
1. [Strays, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/strays)
2. [Strays, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/56928/strays)
3. [Strays: A Titles & Air Dates Guide, epguides.com](https://epguides.com/Strays/)
4. [STRAYS, CBC & Radio-Canada Media Solutions](https://solutionsmedia.cbcrc.ca/en/shows/strays)
5. [Strays (2021), JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/ca/tv-show/strays)
6. [CBC sets fall schedule and unveils 2021-22 programming slate, TV, eh?](https://www.tv-eh.com/2021/06/02/cbc-sets-fall-schedule-and-unveils-2021-22-programming-slate-including-over-35-original-series-from-canadian-creators/)
7. [Canadian pubcaster CBC greenlights trio of original comedies for second season, C21Media](https://www.c21media.net/news/canadian-pubcaster-cbc-greenlights-trio-of-original-comedies-for-second-season/)
8. [Strays: Season 1, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/strays/s01)
9. [Strays Season 1, TheTVDB.com](https://thetvdb.com/series/strays/seasons/official/1)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Scripted television and comedy series › Sitcom and comedy series › Comedy series outside the US and UK › Premiered 1964 to 2021*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license