Cardinal and Schitt’s Creek were recognized as the best drama and comedy of the year, respectively, as the Canadian Screen Awards honoured scripted programming in the week’s third virtual prize-giving ceremony.

CTV’s Cardinal, which was competing in the drama category for the first time since moving across from the best limited series category last year, fended off stiff competition from Anne With an E, Coroner, Mary Kills People and Vikings to win the coveted best drama category, one of seven prizes it claimed on the night.

The show’s lead actors, Karine Vanasse and Billy Campbell, won the awards for best female and male lead respectively in the dramatic section, while Kristen Thomson won best supporting actress. The Northern Ontario-set detective drama, produced by Sienna Films and eOne, also won best writing in a drama (Patrick Tarr, Noelle Carbone, Aaron Bala), best picture editing (Matthew Anas) and achievement in make-up (Randy Daudlin, Trina Brink, Paul Jones). While Cardinal recently wrapped a four-season run, the show was recognized for work in its third season.

Meanwhile, CBC’s Schitt’s Creek, which also bowed out with a great deal of fanfare last month, bested JANN, Kim’s Convenience, Letterkenny and Workin’ Moms to win best comedy. Produced through Dan and Eugene Levy’s Not A Real Company Productions banner, the fifth season of the CBC half-hour also claimed a raft of acting prizes, with Catherine O’Hara winning best lead actress, Emily Hampshire winning best supporting actress and Eugene Levy winning best lead actor.

As well, the show netted awards for best achievement in casting (Lisa Parasyn and Jon Comerford) and best achievement in hair (Annastasia Cucullo, Ana Sorys).

There were a pair of big wins for Mary Kills People (Cameron Pictures), with Norma Bailey winning best direction in a drama for the episode “The Key To Faith,” while the series also won the award for best stunt coordination (Angelica Lisk-Hann, Tally Rodin) for the episode “No Happy Endings Here.”

Meanwhile, Anne With An E (Northwood Entertainment), whose fans have bombarded social media feeds with pleas for a revival since word broke of its cancellation in November, won five awards on the night: best photography in a drama (Catherine Lutes); best costume design (Alexander Reda); best original music in fiction (Amin Bhatia, Ari Posner); Best Production Design or Art Direction, Fiction (Jean-François Campeau, Michele Brady, Elliott Carew); and best guest performance in a drama series (Dalmar Abuzeid).

Hot on the heels of news that season five will be its last, Baroness von Sketch Show (Frantic Films) picked up five awards, including best sketch comedy show. The series also snagged awards for best writing and best direction in a variety or sketch comedy series, in addition to comedy prizes for best picture editing and best photography.

Letterkenny also picked up a pair of big comedy prizes. Jacob Tierney won the best direction in a comedy prize for the episode “Yew!”, while the same episode, penned by Tierney and Jared Keeso, won best writing in a comedy.

In the TV movie category, Cineflix-produced Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey won best TV movie and best writing in a TV movie. Meanwhile, the best directing prize in the TV movie category went to Gail Harvey for her work on No One Would Tell (Pink Buffalo Films).

On the digital front, CBC’s Save Me (iThentic) was named best web series (fiction) ahead of Ming’s Dynasty, How To Buy A Baby, Detention Adventure and The 410. Emily Hampshire also won the best lead performance in web series prize for her role in the series. Elsewhere, Winnifred Jong won the best directing prize for her work on the Tokens episode “Courage.”

On the VFX side, Vikings episode “What Happens in the Cave” won prizes for best visual effects and best sound in a fiction series.

The 2020 CSAs are handing out awards over four nights in 141 categories – 25 in film, 103 in TV, 12 in digital and one special category for first feature film.

Murdoch Mysteries and Private Eyes tied for the Golden Screen Award for the most-watched comedy or drama series.

The final show stream time:

Tomorrow

7:00 p.m. EST: Canadian Screen Awards for Cinematic Arts