Brand-new, Canadian-made Sitcom, Maria and the Mennos set for premiere

Ode Productions is excited to announce the debut of the world’s first Filipino, Mennonite Sitcom Maria and the Mennos. Executive produced by Orlando Braun and Paul Plett, airing exclusively on YESTV and streaming at www.

yestv.com/streaming. Watch the trailer here!

After moving in with her Mennonite in-laws, Maria, a young Filipino-Canadian woman works to maintain her identity as she adjusts to the world of pierogis, hymn sings, and rural prairie living. This silly, fun- loving romp takes place in Winkler, Manitoba, a small farming town home to Mennonites of all shapes and sizes.

Maria is a bubbly, vibrant, independent young woman who likes to take risks and think outside the box, so it’s fair to say this new life in a reserved, Mennonite household is going to take a little getting used to.

Maria and the Mennos is a half hour comedy featuring the talented Victoria Exconde as Maria, Kenton Dyck as Maria’s newlywed husband Nate Friesen, Erna Peters as her mother-in-law Sarah Friesen, and Chuck Fefchak as her father-in-law Hank Friesen.

Exconde says “It was such a blast shooting Maria and the Mennos! We got to be silly and share so many laughs together! I really hope that the genuine connections we’ve built between all of the cast and crew really translates through the screen.”

She adds “The show being a sitcom is such a fun way to share both the Mennonite and Filipino cultures.

There are so many references and jokes that different audiences can relate to and having a show that has a focus on the Filipino culture, especially as a Filipino-Canadian, is just so special.”

Maria and the Mennos is copyrighted by Maria and the Mennos Inc. and produced in association with YESTV, a Canadian faith-based subscription television station, and produced with the participation of the

Canada Media Fund, Government of Manitoba Provincial Tax Credits, and Government of Canada Federal Tax credits.

This little-sitcom-that-could punches well above its weight. Creators Paul Plett, Tina Fehr Kehler, and Hazel Wallace collaborated on this project to challenge current Filipino and Mennonite stereotypes and share some of the real-life hilarity from these communities that we never get to see on TV.

The show boasts a writers’ room with 50% Filipino and 50% Mennonite writers to ensure cultural authenticity.

This heartwarming story is set to hit your television screens on January 3, 2024. Episode one premieres at 10:30 PM EST for the Ontario broadcast, and 3:30 PM MST in Alberta.

For those without cable, YESTV now offers free online streaming. Just make a free account and watch

Maria and the Mennos live and on demand at www.yestv.com/streaming.