Navigating life with cerebral palsy heart of show starring Whitby creator

As a massive wrestling fan and someone who has dabbled in stand-up comedy, working with WWE superstar Chris Jericho and comedy legend Colin Mochrie was a “dream come true” for Whitby’s Sean Towgood.

But what was far more important for Towgood, a 30-something with cerebral palsy who created and stars in the CBC Gem original television series You’re My Hero, was ensuring people who shared his experiences of life in an “unforgiving world” could have representation on the small screen.

“I got a lot of comments from people who were disabled who said when they were growing up they didn’t have any representation,” Towgood said of the reception for the first season of the web series, which ran in 2023. “To me, having someone that looks like you and then having your experiences reflected in stories like these, that was my main goal.”

“That was special.”

You’re My Hero will launch all six 18-minute episodes of season two next month in honour of National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. It stars Towgood as Ian Fletcher, a blunt unfiltered 20-something with cerebral palsy who has to navigate the social pressures of life in a world not designed for wheels.

Towgood, a radio broadcasting graduate of Humber College in Toronto with some writing and acting chops, wanted to bring the project forward because he had never seen anything on the subject of disabled life that “spoke to me.”

Stories in the media about people with disabilities have too often focussed on opposite ends of the spectrum, he noted. “Look how awful this person’s life is or look how inspirational their life is.”

“But I’m just a regular guy in a wheelchair and I wanted the day-to-day experiences of that represented.”

“That part of the disabled experience is often overlooked,” he added. “So I thought I might as well take a shot.”

Sean Towgood

You’re My Hero follows Ian Fletcher (Towgood), an angsty 20-something with cerebral palsy. The seven-episode first season demonstrated the ridiculous barriers that Ian faced trying to live, date, party, and work – while hilarity ensues. Ian, a pessimistic character that can be selfish and impatient, is far from perfect, challenging his family and betraying his closest friend at the end of season 1.

“Ian feels constantly bombarded by the opinions of his mother, his boss, his friends, and his support worker who dish unsolicited advice and criticism out to him – not to mention the ignorant strangers who project their preconceived notions about disability. Some of that criticism may be in order, however, as Ian realizes he might actually be that jerk sometimes,” reads a bio on the show from CBC Gem.

“Season 2 continues Ian’s journey as he learns to admit his own mistakes and recognize good advice when it’s given in order to form meaningful relationships and hold down a job … or else he may never gain the independence he so desperately seeks.”

Ian Fletcher is a character that is sometimes hard to like, but you still root for him.

At least, that’s what Towgood hopes.

Chris Jericho

As to lining up Jericho, a nine-time wrestling champ from Winnipeg who had his biggest success in the WWF/WWE from 1999-2018 and still wrestles professionally, that was a matter of luck and the knowledge that you have to shoot your shot when you get the chance.

“That was quite the reach,” said Towgood. “One of the directors had worked with him. I’m a huge wrestling fan so to get him on board was quite the experience for me.”

“He was thrilled to work with us and we were thrilled to have him. We did some pretty cool stuff.”

Jericho, who plays Ian’s long lost deadbeat dad, in on board with that sentiment. “What a blast we had filming season 2,” he said. “Sean is a hilarious and talented actor and a true inspiration”

Getting Mochrie, a comedy giant perhaps best known for his time on the hilarious improvisational TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway, was another blessing for star struck Towgood.

“He’s a Canadian comedy legend. The opportunity to work with someone like Colin is a dream come true.”

Returning principal cast members include Vas Saranga, Tina Jung, Tara Spencer-Nairn and Ali Hassan. Special guest appearances include Julie Nolke, Isabel Kanaan, Ronnie Rowe and Mochrie.

Jung and Spencer-Nairn were each nominated for Best Supporting Performance (Web Program or Series) at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards, for Season 1, which CBC Executive Producer Trish Williams attributed to Towgood’s “sharp sense of humour” and the authenticity of his characters.

“You’re My Hero offers a candid and funny look at navigating life with a disability. We look forward to sharing the next chapter of Ian’s journey with audiences across the country.”

Towgood has kept himself busy in the last decade, with a resume that includes writing news and features for Radio Humber and acting credits with 4th Line Theatre and the short solo piece, My Life on the Short Bus for the Soulo Festival in Toronto. He also won an Emerge Media Award for the short radio documentary Stigma and created and co-produced the audio documentaries Independence Day and Welcome To The Party for CBC’s The Doc Project.

He also does a little stand-up comedy in his spare time.

Season 2 of You’re My Hero airs March 14.

Colin Mochrie with the cast of You’re My Hero