AMI and Hitsby Entertainment announce production has begun on Season 2 of The Squeaky Wheel: Canada

TORONTO, November 18, 2025 — AMI is pleased to announce that production has begun on Season 2 of the Canadian Screen Award-nominated The Squeaky Wheel: Canada.

Based on Steven Verdile’s popular web publication The Squeaky Wheel and produced by Hitsby Entertainment, The Squeaky Wheel: Canada is a sketch comedy series in a half-hour news format that pokes fun at the ableist society people with disabilities face every day.

Presented by Canada’s top writers and performers from the disability community, The Squeaky Wheel: Canada’s irreverent perspective flips tropes and clichés upside down by showcasing disability in a humorous way. Its clever blend of social commentary and provocative humour will leave audiences laughing hysterically and feeling pleasurably guilty about it.

The six-episode series introduces a fresh perspective to the entertainment landscape with its disability-led creative team, fronted by showrunner and series producer Michelle Asgarali. 

Directed by Lucy Belgum, production has begun filming in Hamilton, Ontario, featuring locations managed by Community Living Hamilton, a valued partner that empowers people with developmental disabilities to fully participate and contribute to their community.

The series stars Gaitrie Persaud and Graham Kent as lead anchors Arianna Salara and Grant Gewürztraminer, and an ensemble cast featuring Margaret Rose, Samantha Wyss, Sivert Das and Wesley Magee-Saxton. Day players include Taylor Efford, Desiree Walsh, Gabi De Leon, Jaideep Goray, James Jordan, Jessica Rotolo, Jo-Ann Martin, Taylor Long, Tyra Banda, Ben Akuoko, Kathy Beitz, Angela Sun, Violet Ferguson and Joe Fornasier. 

The writing team includes Head Writer D. Cole, plus staff writers Daniel Barra-Berger, Jenny Lee-Gilmore and Sierra Haynes, and contributing writers Veronika Swartz, Ardra Shephard, Ebony Gooden, Hisham Kelati, Jonathan Fournier, Joze Piranian and Margaret Rose.

“I am so excited to be returning to Season 2 and direct this whirlwind of hilarity,” says Lucy Belgum, Series Director. “With so many voices connecting and creating in the name of humour, the momentum and energy is thrilling. This season is sure to be a great one!”

“Humour can be the great equalizer,” says Cara Nye, Director, Content Development and Production at AMI. “The Squeaky Wheel: Canada isn’t just about laughing at the world; it’s about reclaiming the joke. Michelle, the writers and the whole creative team are turning disability stereotypes on their heads and having a great time doing it! AMI is proud to champion a series that gives the disability community a powerful, and hilarious, voice.”

The Squeaky Wheel: Canada received Canadian Screen Award nominations in 2025 for Best Sketch Comedy or Series and Best Performance, Sketch Comedy or Series at the Canadian Screen Awards in 2025; the series was a finalist for the Excellence Award for Representation of Disability in the Scripted Category, Diversify TV MIPCOM.

Broadcast details for Season 2 of The Squeaky Wheel: Canada will be announced in the coming months. The first season of The Squeaky Wheel: Canada is available to stream on AMI+.

Executive producers for The Squeaky Wheel: Canada are Andrew Morris and Laura Jabalee Johnston.

About Hitsby Entertainment

Hitsby Entertainment is a Toronto-based media company dedicated to championing breakout comedic storytellers who traditionally have not had a seat at the table. The company fosters an inclusive creative environment to craft bold, fresh, premium content for audiences worldwide.   

About AMI

AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services—AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French—and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.

For media inquiries and information, please contact: 

Greg David, Communications Specialist, Accessible Media Inc., Greg.David@ami.ca, 647-417-0631