Co-created by Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo, Sort Of is a made-in-Canada series debuted its first season last year and has since been both embraced and adored by audiences around the world with its approach to, yes, queerness but also the universal experience of transition.

The big-hearted series features Sabi Mehboob (played by Baig), a gender-fluid millennial who straddles various identities from sexy bartender at a 2SLGBTQ+ bookstore/bar, to the youngest child in a large Pakistani family, to the de facto parent of a downtown Toronto hipster family. From gender to love to sexuality to family to career, Sabi feels like they’re in transition. Sort Of exposes the labels people once poured themselves into as no longer applicable…to anyone. 

Continuing the next chapter, the highly anticipated season two of Sort Of dives right into the heart, as the season of love. Cis/bio and chosen family love (including the roles aunties, uncles, siblings and parents play) and friend love — including the non-normative queer and gender queer relationships. And yes: the “Rachel McAdams-type of romantic love” too. This new season will ask: what does love look like? 

The second season of Sort Of will make its world premiere in Canada beginning November 15th exclusively on CBC TV starting at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT), and episodes will also stream FREE on CBC Gem. The second season will make its premiere in the USA on December 1st on HBO Max; followed by other countries around the world including Australia and the UK.

SEASON 2 SYNOPSIS

After the events of season one, Sabi is ready to make stronger choices for themself, knowing their boundaries, and having developed the self-worth to “take up space”. Now, in Sort Of season two, Sabi will face new challenges in their work life, love life, and family life. With the return of Sabi’s father to Canada, Bessy in recovery in rehab, and workplace uncertainty, life is everything but simple and Sabi will question if they will ever have uncomplicated, normal love.

Season two is the season of love. Friend love, family love, loving your work, love of place, and romantic love. The season explores the nature of all Sabi’s relationships, as well as those of the rest of the ensemble, with a particular focus on unconventionality — not only in queer and gender queer relationships, but in those of Sabi’s cis fams, shedding light on the fact that every way we are connected to one another is atypical. There is no such thing as “normal” love.

In addition to Bilal Baig, returning cast members include Gray Powell as Paul; Amanda Cordner as 7ven; Ellora Patnaik as Raffo; Grace Lynn Kung as Bessy; Supinder Wraich as Aqsa; Kaya Kanshiro as Violet; Aden Bedard as Henry; Cassandra James as Olympia; and Becca Blackwell as Deenzie. Amanda Brugel (The Handmaid’s Tale) joins the ensemble cast this season as Gaia, artworld doyenne and 7ven’s mother, known to crash 7ven’s world and steal her friends, along with Raymond Cham Jr. (The Big Leap) who is welcomed to the world of Sort Of as Deenzie’s offspring, Wolf. Scott Thompson (The Kids in the Hall) will appear as Bryce, a wealthy investor and potential business partner.

The complete first season of Sort Of is available to stream free now in Canada on CBC Gem, CBC’s streaming service, and in the USA on HBO Max. Season 2 premieres in Canada on November 15 exclusively on CBC TV starting at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT), with episodes also streaming FREE on CBC Gem followed in the USA on December 1 exclusively on HBO Max/

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.