Sean Towgood's series, inspired by his life with cerebral palsy, is back and it's funnier than ever
CBC Gem series You’re My Hero uses disabled cast and crew to tell their own stories
You're My Hero, now in its second season on CBC Gem, is a coming-of-age comedy about a man trying to have it all. In this economy, that means moving into his own apartment, finding stable employment, and maintaining the tight-knit bonds of family and community — oh, and he happens to be disabled.
Sean Towgood, the creator, writer and lead of the show, has an authentic and hilarious approach to discussing disability in a way we rarely see in the media: he invites you to laugh with disabled characters. But Towgood isn't shaming the audience or pandering to a certain point of view, either, which has made the show accessible, even to able-bodied individuals.
"We're not attempting to lecture anyone. We want people laughing and enjoying themselves. And when they're laughing, maybe they learn something," says Towgood. "For a long time, we've seen what people think the lives of the disabled were like. They try their best but often get it wrong," says Towgood. With a disabled creator in the driver's seat, You're My Hero takes us to a candid and unconventional view of life with cerebral palsy, as the protagonist challenges other people's perceptions of his life as a disabled man.
Season 2 is "even funnier" than Season 1
The lead character Ian, an embellished version of Towgood himself, has a dark sense of humour and doesn't shy away from offering his opinion. Ian has no patience for the term "differently abled," and roasts a character who equates being transgender with a disability. He does not suffer fools but encourages us to laugh with him at these social faux pas.
"Somehow Season 2 is even funnier," says Towgood with a smile, noting that the jokes and production are tighter. This season, You're My Hero features richer storylines and deeper character development — all while serving the same biting comedy from Season 1.
Season 2 also features incredible guest appearances: comedy legend Colin Mochrie shines in the uproarious "Chair Chicken" episode while wrestling icon Chris Jericho delivers a deliciously detestable performance as Ian's deadbeat dad, Chuck.
"For a character as slimy as Chuck, you need a good 'heel'," Towgood explains, using wrestling terminology for a villain audiences love to hate. One of the arcs throughout the season is the conflict between Ian and Chuck (Jericho) which comes to a head in the powerful finale. "It's not the most comedic thing in the world but that's when Ian holds his own as an independent person.
Who should tell disabled stories in the media?
"Disabled people? It seems obvious," say Towgood. There is a misconception in showbiz, he says, that there simply aren't enough talented and trained disabled actors and creators, which means people without the lived experience are hired to tell their stories. Despite good intentions, the nuances can get lost without disabled creators behind and in front of the camera.
As a creator, Towgood's well aware that disabled professionals simply don't have access to big roles or even the same training, leading to an assumption that there aren't enough disabled actors and creators to write and cast these roles. "But we are here," says Towgood. "There are many professional disabled actors who would love to be in the same position as their able-bodied peers."
He pays it forward by hiring disabled writers and actors to actively break down barriers in an industry that often overlooks disabled creators. "We want to back that up, we can't just trumpet [hiring disabled creators] and not do it on our show," says Towgood. " Having someone with lived experience tell the story adds another layer of authenticity that comes through on screen."
Hiring disabled talent both in front of and behind the scenes means ensuring that the film set adheres to the highest accessibility standards.
Towgood finds talent for You're My Hero mostly by word of mouth and industry connections but admits "it's not as easy as it should be." There isn't a database or easily accessible resource to find disabled actors, writers and other industry professionals. Just because he's disabled himself, it doesn't mean finding disabled folks in the media industry has been easy. "I maintain, we don't all know each other," Towgood laughs. But as the show has grown, so has his network.
Towgood isn't finished growing as a creator — or a person
Towgood's life has changed significantly since his CBC personal essay in 2019 about the search for accessible housing and the added systemic barriers to living independently. "It wasn't until this past July that I was able to find permanent assisted housing. I'm finally in my own place, it's everything I thought it would be. It's giving me a true sense of independence and growth as a creator and a person," says Towgood.
Being able to live independently has let Towgood release some of that bitterness and resentment that fuel Ian on the show. He shares that it has allowed him to open up as a creator. After years working in radio, Towgood has enjoyed the shift to television but doesn't intend to stop there.
What's next for Towgood? He recently wrote a script for a short film, shot in only 48 hours, as a contestant in the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. He might even follow in Ian's footsteps by making a podcast to further his work on elevating disabled voices.
You're My Hero is a prime example of how one man's dream can cause a ripple effect shifting the status quo. Its popularity proves that the road to success when telling disabled stories is to hire, not just consult, disabled creators.
Watch You're My Hero streaming now on CBC Gem.
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