GOV

Successful social media influencer Jenny Popovich is appointed Governor General of Canada by a populist Prime Minister hoping to seem more “woke.” But Jenny refuses to take the back seat he planned for her.

With the help of her loyal, acerbic secretary, Agatha Wang, Jenny navigates the challenges of entering a world long dominated by crusty old men, while also trying to expose the Prime Minister, Michel Caron, as an allegedly misogynist creep.

But are they as different as they each want to believe? Despite self-identifying as being from opposing sides of the political spectrum, Jenny and Michel are frequently horrified to find common ground. As tensions rise from the south, they’re forced into an unlikely partnership for the good of the country.

It’s Schitt’s Creek meets Veep: a fish-out-of-water political comedy with a dose of absurdity à la Superstore. Quintessentially Canadian, with universal themes, the series brings Canadian politics crashing into the 21st century with a cheeky wink and nod, satirically paralleling current-day issues.

YouTube comedy star Julie Nolke (1.1M subscribers) and CSA nominee for Run the Burbs leads a brilliant ensemble cast, with icons of Canadian comedy guest starring throughout the season. Sean Cullen appears in the teaser as an orgy-loving Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Project Type

TV Show

Status

In-Development

Watch On

Netflix on March 13th, 2026

Theme

The theme is a modern, quintessentially Canadian political satire about power, image, and hypocrisy.

It riffs on how politics turns into performance, how “progressive” signalling can be cynical, and how two supposed enemies can end up sharing the same instincts when the stakes get real. At its core: who gets to lead, who gets listened to, and what happens when a disruptive new kind of public figure refuses to play the ceremonial role.

Written By

Will Jeffs

Director

James Watkins

Produced By

Red Imp Films

Vision

Get a Grip is deeply personal to me. Norm, Joan, and Nicholas are drawn directly from my grandparents and my dad; the dynamics, the humour, and some elements of the film come from my family’s lives and the memories I grew up hearing about in the North End of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. Times of great joy and hardship existed in equal measure.

Credits

Director

James Watkins

James Watkins is a filmmaker with a proven mastery of tension, character-driven dread, and psychologically rich genre storytelling — exactly the tonal blend Get a Grip demands. He has previously stated that his favourite filmmaker is Alfred Hitchcock, evident in his choice of work, and this film is largely inspired by the “Master of Suspense.”

Production Designer

James Price

James Price is an Academy Award–winning British production designer with a rare gift for creating authentic, character-driven spaces that feel both specific and emotionally resonant. His work with James Watkins on The Ipcress File and Speak No Evil demonstrates how deftly he handles period detail, psychological tension, and environments that quietly shape the drama without drawing attention to themselves.

Casting Director

James Smith

James Smith is an Academy Award–winning British production designer with a rare gift for creating authentic, character-driven spaces that feel both specific and emotionally resonant. His work with James Watkins on The Ipcress File and Speak No Evil demonstrates how deftly he handles period detail, psychological tension, and environments that quietly shape the drama without drawing attention to themselves.