Canadian TV Series ‘Sort Of’ Wins Peabody Award

CBC and HBO Max’s groundbreaking TV show “Sort Of” has won a coveted Peabody Award.

The prestigious U.S. awards are given to television, radio and online programs that “powerfully reflect the pressing social issues and vibrant emerging voices of our time.” Thirty winners are chosen each year in all categories.

“Sort Of”, a comedy-drama co-created by Fab Filippo and Bilal Baig, explores life at the intersection of identities. Baig stars as Sabi, a fluid millennial who learns to navigate her own gender and sexuality while positioning herself in the world at large.

Sabi works as a nanny for a wealthy family in Toronto, but dreams of moving to Berlin with their best friend. “Sort Of” follows Sabi as they struggle to grow and settle into an “in-between” identity as events beyond their control throw their lives into the hands of fate.

According to CBC, Baig is the first non-binary lead character on Canadian television, and Baig is the first South Asian and Muslim queer actor to star in a Canadian primetime television series.

A CBC rep said the show “unapologetically represents and pushes back the walls of underrepresentation on television to create space for queer people of color across Canada.”

A press release from the Peabody Awards said “Sort Of” was selected “for its quirky, flamboyant comedic sensibility and its tender portrayal of a non-binary queer individual embracing the multitudes within.”

“Sort Of” won three Canadian Screen Awards this year, including Best Comedy Series. CBC has renewed it for a second season, which is slated for release later this year.

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