In the crowded landscape of Toronto’s entertainment scene, brothers Jae and Trey Richards have transformed their humble beginnings in the moving business into comedy gold, with a little help from their friend Drake.
Their new sitcom “The Office Movers,” debuting next month, draws from their real-life experiences of hauling furniture across Toronto before they found success as comedians. The show captures the quirky encounters and workplace dynamics that defined their pre-fame days.
“We literally went from sweating in Toronto apartments to shooting in those same neighborhoods,” Jae told me when I caught up with him at their production office in Liberty Village. “There’s something beautifully full-circle about that journey.”
The Richards brothers first gained attention through their YouTube channel 4YE, where their Toronto-centric comedy sketches racked up millions of views. Their authentic portrayal of city life resonated with locals and eventually caught Drake’s attention.
The Toronto superstar, through his production company DreamCrew, stepped in as executive producer, bringing both financial backing and creative guidance to the project.
“Drake believed in our vision from day one,” Trey explained. “He kept telling us, ‘This story is uniquely Toronto, and that’s exactly why it needs to be told.’ His support turned what could have been just another web series into a full-fledged production.”
Statistics from the Toronto Film Office indicate a 28% increase in locally-produced comedy content over the past three years, with “The Office Movers” joining this growing trend of homegrown storytelling.
What separates this show from other workplace comedies is its distinctly Toronto perspective. The series features recognizable city landscapes from Scarborough to The Annex, with episodes tackling everything from basement apartment moves during snowstorms to navigating high-rise elevator politics.
Toronto film critic Marsha Lederman praises the authenticity. “What the Richards brothers have created isn’t just funny—it’s a love letter to working-class Toronto. You can feel the city’s pulse in every scene.”
The cast includes several up-and-coming Toronto comedians, creating what industry insiders have called a potential launching pad for local talent. Casting director Sam Wellington notes, “We specifically sought performers who understand the city’s unique cultural fabric.”
Behind the humor lies a deeper message about entrepreneurship and perseverance. Toronto Business Development Officer Julian Martinez sees the show as inspirational for young entrepreneurs. “Their story demonstrates how traditional labor jobs can become springboards for creative careers, especially important as our economy evolves.”
The brothers haven’t forgotten their roots. During production, they hired actual moving companies for consulting and even featured real Toronto movers as extras and in small speaking roles.
“Some days on set, I’d look around and see guys I used to work alongside now appearing in our show,” Jae reflected. “That’s the Toronto spirit—we lift each other up.”
Local moving company owner Marcus Thompson, who appears in episode three, told me the representation matters. “People don’t realize how much character you need in this business. The Richards brothers get it because they lived it.”
The series premieres on Canadian streaming platforms next month before an international release. Early reviews suggest “The Office Movers” captures something special about Toronto’s working-class experience while delivering consistent laughs.
Drake, though mostly behind the scenes, makes a cameo appearance in the pilot episode—a moment Trey describes as “surreal but perfectly Toronto.”
As our city continues to see itself reflected in more mainstream entertainment, “The Office Movers” represents something significant: Toronto stories told by Torontonians, backed by Toronto’s biggest star, and showcasing what makes our city’s creative community truly unique.
For the Richards brothers, it’s been quite the journey from lifting couches to lifting the profile of Toronto comedy. As Jae puts it, “From heavy lifting to heavy hitting—that’s the dream, right?”
