In the Canadian comedy series Son of a Critch, Mark Ezekiel Rivera booked his first major regular screen role playing Ritche Perez throughout the three series released so far. Mark works alongside a cast including Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (as Mark Critch) and Sophia Powers (as Fox), and he’ll be reuniting with them when he returns to filming Series 4. Further projects for Mark include Series 2 of Hey Meisha! for YESTV and, alongside his acting career, Mark has released original music on streaming services, and is planning a solo concert this December. We caught up with Mark about playing Ritche Perez in Son of a Critch, what his character is like to play for his first major regular screen role and recording original music.
How would you describe your character Ritche Perez in Son of a Critch and can you tell us about the series?
The series Son of a Critch talks about the childhood life of Canadian comedian Mark Critch in the 80s in Newfoundland, Atlantic Canada. It covers many different aspects of his life from school, to friends and family, to his dream of becoming an actor. My character, Ritche Perez, is Mark Critch’s best friend. He is a funny, innocent, and empathetic boy who always supports Mark through thick and thin. At first, the two were outcasts from everyone else during their first year of Junior High. They were classmates and were both bullied by the same bullies. As time goes by, they still have each other’s back.
What is Ritche like to play and how has it been developing the role across all three series so far?
I am very pleased to play the role of Ritche in this series! With each new season, we would see some shifts in his personality, as well as him developing a new skill, like skateboarding and playing an instrument. In the first season, he started off as an insecure and self conscious boy who was usually bullied for being the only person of colour at his school. The only friend he made was Mark. Then, in the second, he became more open to making new friends, as well as being able to interact with them. In the third season, he gained new interests and learned how to take risks.
It’s really fun to make these discoveries that build Ritche’s identity from one episode to the next. I can’t wait to see what the fourth season brings for him!
Is there anything you enjoy most about filming alongside the rest of the cast?
My favourite thing is getting to hang out with the cast members on set. There are times when we get to know each other, or hang out during our days off. We got to go to the park, play in the arcade, or do an escape room together.
How is it being part of Son of a Critch and how do you find the experience on set of the show?
I am so happy to be part of Son of a Critch! Being able to work with an amazing cast of film and television actors is just surreal. So far, I’m really loving the experience. Everything and everyone felt welcoming from the start and even after having done it for these past three years, it still makes me very excited. I’m also enjoying the process of reading scripts, rehearsing, and shooting the scenes. Not to mention, the people, both cast and crew, who are working on set are nice, kind, and sometimes pretty funny.
What is it like having Ritche as your first major regular role on screen and how did you feel finding out you’d booked the character?
To me, taking on the role of Ritche was a fantastic journey. He and I have similarities in our skills and interests. Not to mention, we look alike when we were the same age, especially the hair and face. There were a lot of kids who auditioned for Ritche and when I got to Newfoundland, people would say that I actually look like him! Even Mark Critch would agree!
When I got the big news after a few rounds of auditioning, I was in absolute shock! I got booked for the role! I landed a regular role in what would become one of the most successful series all across Canada!
Playing the role of Ritche made me realise how impactful it could be towards the Filipino community. We are seeing Filipinos starting to emerge in the industry. It makes me feel honoured to be part of this community.
I’m discovering more of my potential as an actor in this field and I plan to keep going with it. This journey is sure to be something I’m very proud of.
How has it been seeing the viewers’ response to the recently released Series 3?
I was amazed to see the viewers’ response to how well the season went! This series has been very meaningful to many people over its three seasons. The fact that it is also shown in the US, the UK, and Ireland, it’s really encouraging to see that audiences in these regions are loving it very much. Their love and support for the show earned us a fourth season and an Audience Choice Award of the Canadian Screen Academy!
Have you had any favourite highlights from working on the show so far that you can tell us about?
The highlights from working on the show are found in the shooting process of scenes. Upon reading the scripts, the scenes were hysterical; some of the best I’ve seen, in fact. Filming them made it all the more better! A few of my favourite scenes to film include that one time I was stuck on the fence, when trick or treating has gone wrong, or when we got to visit a circus.
We understand you were in the cast of Series 2 of Hey Meisha! for YESTV, how was this to film?
I was so happy when I was casted to be part of Hey Meisha! Season 2 as one of the Good News Kids! Hey Meisha! is a variety show for kids with music and comedy sketches. I performed skits, told stories, and, most importantly, shared the Word of God. My part, like the rest of the Good News Kids, was to act and just be myself. We share personal stories; goof around; and dance in front of the camera, all while simply being ourselves. Working along with the cast and crew of the show definitely made me feel like I was part of a family.
As a music artist, you have recorded and released original songs on streaming services, can you tell us about some of them?
I am a singer-songwriter and pianist. I’ve released singles since 2020, when I wrote Hope In Our Hearts, which talks about my personal experience during the COVID-19 lockdown.
After that first single, I kept writing more and more songs. My recent single We Will Rise, though it was intended to commemorate Philippine Independence and its National Hero, reflects the conflict and struggle we see in our current world in the hopes that one day there will be peace, love, and unity.
I’ve worked on a new song, entitled Ambitions, which is going to be released soon, as well as its music video! This, along with some other songs of mine, can be found on music platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Music, and iTunes. Their music videos are found on YouTube. If you’d like to check them out, search for Mark Ezekiel Rivera.
Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get started in the industry?
I started to become interested in acting when I was in the performing arts group in Scarborough. There, I learned how to sing, dance, and act. I was also introduced to theatre and film acting, as well as improv. While these new skills were in development, I had the opportunity to play in my elementary school’s musical and audition for a few productions.
Then cue in Son of a Critch: my first acting gig. I took professional acting classes, learned tips and techniques from different schools, auditioned for many more productions, and kept on learning the nooks and crannies of acting.
Do you have any favourite films and TV shows to watch?
My preferences are a bit broad, but I favour comedic, adventurous, and sometimes historic shows. If I were to choose one, I would say Johnny English, featuring Rowan Atkinson, who is widely known as Mr. Bean, playing the titular character. It’s absolutely hilarious and packed with a lot of action!
How do you like to spend your free time?
Some of the activities I do whenever I’m not working range from unleashing my physical self to my artistic creativity. Usually, I feel inspired to write songs or create melodies that come to mind. I would scribble the lyrics and chords down in my composition book and play it on the piano. Other times, I would choose to go out and explore or hang out with my friends or family. I use the time to take photos, browse around shops and markets, or do a bit of skateboarding if conditions permit.
Have you been given any advice over your time as an actor so far that has stuck with you?
One piece of advice that stuck out to me was the fact that acting isn’t always perfect. We tend to make mistakes along the process, and that’s totally fine! With that, I’ve learned that mistakes help actors grow and, in turn, bring out their human nature.
Another one that I learned is to be confident in myself. An optimistic mindset helps us to be determined and resilient, as well as take risks. In fact, one thing that really matters is to have fun in what we do.
What are you hoping this year brings for your career and do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about?
At this time, I am focusing on filming the fourth season of Son of a Critch and doing auditions. I’m hoping to grasp more of these opportunities as we go!
This December, however, I’m going to have a live solo concert. We’re already in the preparation stage and I’m very excited to show everyone what we’re coming up with.
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