While the entire season was a joy, three episodes stand out as "must-watch" television.
Season 1 of The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down isn't perfect. The pacing lags slightly in the middle episodes, and the blindfold challenges are arguably more gimmicky than educational. But the warmth, the artistry, and the genuine stakes of watching a hand-built vase survive the kiln make it essential viewing.
It is a show where adults work with their hands, support their rivals, and occasionally weep over a glaze run. In 2024, that felt less like a competition and more like a therapy session we all needed.
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5) Best for: Fans of The Great British Bake Off, craft enthusiasts, Seth Rogen completists, and anyone who has ever said, "I could do that" while looking at a mug.
Have you watched The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down Season 1? Who was your favorite potter? Let us know in the comments below, and don't forget to follow our coverage for Season 2 updates.
The first season of The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down premiered on February 8, 2024, on CBC Television and the streaming service CBC Gem. Adapted from the popular British franchise, the series highlights the skill and creativity of amateur potters from across Canada. Show Format and Setting
Challenges: Each hour-long episode features two distinct tests: a "Main Make" (a large-scale signature piece) and a "Throw Down" or "Spot Test" focused on speed or specific technical skills like trimming and handle-pulling.
Location: The competition was filmed at the historic Granville Island in Vancouver, specifically in the former ceramics studio of Emily Carr University of Art and Design.
Prize: Unlike many reality competitions, there is no cash prize; the artists compete solely for the title of Canada's Top Potter and "bragging rights". Host and Judges Jennifer Robertson
: The Schitt’s Creek star serves as the show's host, providing encouragement and humor. Brendan Tang Natalie Waddell
: These two renowned ceramicists and educators act as the permanent judges. Seth Rogen The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down Season 1 ...
: The Canadian actor and executive producer also appears as a featured guest judge. Contestants and Winner
The debut season featured 10 amateur potters from across the country: Jen Sonnenberg Stonewall, MB Kiefer Floreal Winnipeg, MB Alice Gibson Penticton, BC Thomas Haskell Toronto, ON Susan Johnston Surrey, BC Renu Mathew Andrew McCullough Fredericton, NB Jackie Talmey-Lennon Vancouver, BC Elsa Valiñas Fredericton, NB Michael Wood Salisbury, NB Jen Sonnenberg
was crowned the winner in the season finale on April 4, 2024.
Despite its positive reception, the series was not renewed for a second season by CBC as of April 2024.
The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down Season 1 premiered on February 8, 2024, as a feel-good reality competition celebrating the artistry of ceramics. Filmed on Granville Island in Vancouver, the series features 10 amateur potters from across Canada competing for the title of "best at the wheel". Show Overview Host: Jennifer Robertson (known for Schitt's Creek).
Judges: Award-winning artist Brendan Tang and renowned ceramicist Natalie Waddell.
Special Guest: Actor and pottery enthusiast Seth Rogen serves as an executive producer and guest judge.
Format: Based on the UK hit The Great Pottery Throw Down, each episode includes a "Main Make" (a multi-day project) and a fast-paced "Second Challenge" or "Throw Down". Season 1 Episodes & Challenges
The season consists of 8 episodes with themes ranging from personal history to technical precision. Key Challenge 1 Hometown Tribute Create a piece representing their home; trim bowls. 2
Sculpt a functional Chess Set; throw tulip cups off the hump. 3 Abstract Yourself Create self-sculptures; test math skills in clay. 4 Let There Be Light Design a functional Table Lamp. 5 Into The Fire Raku week featuring drink sets. 6 The Table is Set Craft a nine-course dinner set; pull handles for mugs. 7 Calm Waters Semi-finals: Create an indoor Water Fountain. 8 Grand Finale: Create a decorative Tea Set. Season 1 Winner & Contestants Winner: Jen Sonnenberg from Stonewall, Manitoba. Finalists: Kiefer Floreal and Jackie Talmey-Lennon. While the entire season was a joy, three
Other Competitors: Alice Gibson, Thomas Haskell, Susan Johnston, Renu Mathew, Andrew McCullough, Elsa Valiñas, and Michael Wood. How to Watch The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down | Your Morning
In the grand tradition of wholesome yet competitive reality television, Canada stepped into the studio with the premiere of The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down Season 1 in February 2024. Airing on CBC, the series brought the beloved British format to North American soil, blending high-stakes craftsmanship with the distinct charm and humor of the Canadian art scene.
The Setup The premise was familiar but addictive: ten of Canada’s most talented potters gathered in a beautiful, purpose-built studio in Toronto to compete for the title of Canada’s Top Potter. Over the course of eight episodes, the contestants faced a grueling schedule of challenges designed to test their technical skill, creativity, and endurance.
Each episode followed a structured rhythm that fans of the genre recognize instantly. The potters first tackled a "Main Make," a multi-hour project requiring precision and patience. This was followed by the "Throw Down," a shorter, high-pressure challenge that tested speed and nerve. At the end of every episode, one potter was eliminated, narrowing the field until only the winner remained.
The Judging Panel A significant factor in the show's success was the chemistry of the judging panel. Leading the charge was Brendan Tang, a renowned ceramic artist known for his intricate work blending historical styles with contemporary pop culture. Joining him was Natalie Waddell, a ceramicist and educator celebrated for her mastery of form and surface design.
The judges offered a perfect balance of critique and encouragement. They were not there to manufacture drama; rather, they acted as genuine mentors and critics, offering technical insights into clay bodies, glaze chemistry, and structural integrity. Their feedback was educational for the audience, turning casual viewers into amateur ceramic experts who suddenly understood the difficulty of pulling a perfect cylinder or avoiding "S-cracks."
The Heart of the Show: The Contestants While the judges provided the authority, the contestants provided the heart. Season 1 introduced viewers to a diverse group of artists, from professional potters with decades of experience to passionate hobbyists. The camaraderie among the group was a highlight; unlike many cutthroat reality shows, the potters frequently helped one another, sharing tools and offering encouragement during disasters.
The season showcased a wide range of styles, highlighting Canada’s multicultural identity through clay. Viewers saw everything from traditional Japanese-inspired tea sets to bold, avant-garde sculptural pieces. Memorable moments included emotional backstories about why the artists turned to clay—often citing it as a therapeutic escape from the stresses of modern life—as well as spectacular kiln failures and last-minute saves.
Why It Resonated In a television landscape often dominated by cynicism, Season 1 of The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down offered a comforting alternative. It celebrated the slow, tactile process of making something by hand. It captured the specific anxiety of watching a delicate pot wobble on the wheel and the sheer joy of opening a kiln to reveal a successful glaze.
By the time the winner was crowned—after a final challenge that tested their ability to create a cohesive dinnerware set—the show had established itself not just as a copy of its UK predecessor, but as a standout production in its own right. It proved that Canada has a rich, vibrant ceramics community and that watching paint dry—or, in this case, glaze fire—is actually must-see TV. Have you watched The Great Canadian Pottery Throw
Here’s an interesting report on The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down Season 1, focusing on why it stood out from typical reality competition shows.
If you missed the initial broadcast, all episodes of The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down Season 1 are available for streaming on CBC Gem (in Canada) and AMC+/Sundance Now (in the US).
For aspiring potters watching at home: Season 1 taught us that the judges don't care if you're the best thrower. They care if your pot has a story. Bring your grandmother’s pie plate as a mold. Use local clay. And for heaven’s sake, wedge your clay thoroughly—Season 1 had two eliminations solely due to air bubbles that exploded in the kiln.
No pottery show works without the right chemistry in the judging tent. The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down Season 1 nailed this casting.
Host: Jennifer Robertson
Best known for her role as Jocelyn Schitt on Schitt’s Creek, Robertson brings warmth, humor, and genuine enthusiasm to the pottery studio. She offers encouragement and comic relief during tense moments.
Judges:
Both judges offer constructive, kind, and deeply knowledgeable critiques — a hallmark of the “throw down” franchise.
No successful pottery show works without the right chemistry. Season 1 nailed the casting.
The Host: Jennifer Robertson Best known for her scene-stealing role as Jocelyn Schitt on Schitt’s Creek, Robertson brought genuine warmth and slapstick humor. Unlike hosts who stand back and observe, Robertson was frequently found trying (and failing) to throw a pot, breaking a handle, or screaming with genuine horror as a kiln door opened. Her ability to cry during eliminations made her the emotional anchor of the series.
The Judges: The Dynamic Duo of Clay
The two judges often debated the merits of a wobbly but heartfelt mug versus a perfect but lifeless vase, creating riveting television.
As of April 2026, The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down has been renewed for a second season. Season 2 premiered in early 2026 (exact dates vary by region) and introduced new contestants, fresh challenges, and the return of Robertson, Tang, and Waddell. Season 1 remains available for streaming as a perfect entry point.