Ever since 1979, Degrassi has been a show that teens can enjoy and relate to. It has been a significant part of many teens’ lives and has prepared several generations of them for the harsh realities of attending middle and High School.
They have tackled stories like teen pregnancy, abortion, drugs, death, coming out, dating, school shootings, suicide, friendships, and so much more. We grew up with them in The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, Degrassi: The Next Generation, and Degrassi: The Next Class.
It was the Saved By the Bell and Beverly Hills, 90210 in Canada, as in the show’s stars were massive celebrities. And all over the world, they had a following of fans, including me.
We know what it was like to be a viewer, but what was it like being part of the series? Creator Linda Schuyler, Aubrey “Drake” Graham (TNG), Stacie Mistysyn (DH), Amanda Stepto (DH), Stefan Brogan (DH), Miriam McDonald (TNG), Shenae Grimes-Beech (TNG), Dayo Ade (DH), Melinda Shankar (TNG), Jake Epstein (TNG), Shane Kippel (TNG), and superfan Kevin Smith, are going to talk about what the show has meant to them: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
There are a few famous alumni names missing from that list, like Pat Mastroianni (DH), Nina Dobrev (TNG), Stacy Farber (TNG), Cassie Steele (TNG), and Adamo Ruggiero (TNG). But the saddest people not interviewed are creator Kit Hood, who died in 2020, and Neil Hope (DH), whose body was unidentified for years.
As a fan of the series that made my teenage years seem boring (in a good way), I can’t wait to see Lisa Rideout’s doc Degrassi: Whatever It Takes. However, I will have to wait until after someone buys the distribution rights next month at the Toronto International Film Festival to find out when I can watch it. I am hoping that Netflix, which streamed the latest sequel, buys it!
