Degrassi
Canadian teen drama franchise spanning four decades.
Degrassi is a Canadian teen drama franchise created by Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler, centered on students at the fictional Degrassi secondary school in Toronto. Every series since 1987 has shared the same continuity. It is widely considered one of Canada’s most successful and acclaimed media exports. Beyond television, the franchise includes companion novels, graphic novels, documentaries, soundtracks, and nonfiction works.
The franchise began in the late 1970s when Schuyler, a former schoolteacher, partnered with editor Hood to make educational films and documentaries. Their short film *Ida Makes a Movie* (1979), based on a book by Kay Chorao, aired on CBC and led to more installments, eventually airing as *The Kids of Degrassi Street* (1982–1986). By the mid-1980s, the original cast had aged, prompting the pair to create *Degrassi Junior High* (1987–1989). Considered the first modern teen drama on television, it earned widespread acclaim and became a Canadian cultural icon. The franchise continued with *Degrassi High* (1989–1991), following the same characters through high school. Creative exhaustion led to the franchise’s initial end with the controversial TV film *School’s Out* (1992), which drew double the average viewership, followed by the documentary miniseries *Degrassi Talks* (1992), where actors spoke with teens nationwide about various issues.
Throughout the 1990s, *Degrassi Junior High* and *Degrassi High* remained popular in reruns and syndication, boosted by early online fan websites. A televised cast reunion in 1999 led Schuyler to create *Degrassi: The Next Generation* (2001–2015), which aired on CTV in Canada and The N in the United States. It focused on a new generation of students, with some original characters in supporting roles. While successful in Canada, it had a much larger impact in the U.S. and helped launch the careers of rapper Drake and actress Nina Dobrev. After nine seasons, CTV cancelled the series due to declining ratings. A deal with TeenNick led to a major retool, with the series renamed simply *Degrassi* and adopting a telenovela-style format. After five more seasons, TeenNick cancelled it in 2015. A co-production with Netflix, *Degrassi: Next Class* (2016–2017), targeted Generation Z but was cancelled in 2017, though the cancellation wasn’t announced until 2019. In January 2022, a new series was announced for HBO Max w
- field
- Television franchise
- nationality
- Canadian
- known_for
- Teen drama series spanning four decades
- creators
- Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler
- first_series
- The Kids of Degrassi Street (1982–1986)
- awards
- Two International Emmy Awards (1985, 1987), Peabody Award (2010)
Lore & Background
The franchise originated in the late 1970s when ex-schoolteacher Linda Schuyler formed a partnership with editor Kit Hood to produce educational films. Their television success with Ida Makes a Movie (1979) on CBC led to the series The Kids of Degrassi Street (1982–1986). By the mid-1980s, the aging cast prompted the creation of Degrassi Junior High (1987–1989), regarded as the first modern television teen drama. It gained widespread acclaim and established the franchise as a Canadian cultural icon. The series continued as Degrassi High (1989–1991) and ended with the television film School's Out (1992) and the documentary miniseries Degrassi Talks (1992).
After sustained success in reruns and syndication, a 1999 televised cast reunion led to the revival Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001–2015), which focused on a new generation of students with select original characters in supporting roles. It was cancelled by CTV after nine seasons due to declining ratings, then retooled as Degrassi on TeenNick for five more seasons. A deal with Netflix produced the short-lived Degrassi: Next Class (2016–2017), cancelled in 2017. In January 2022, a new series was announced for HBO Max without Schuyler's involvement, but was cancelled after the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, though WildBrain indicated intent to still produce it.
Reader's Guide
Degrassi has been widely acclaimed over its four-decade history for its sympathetic portrayal of youth experiences and perceived authenticity compared to other teen-oriented media. It has faced international scrutiny and censorship since the late 1980s, particularly regarding episodes depicting teenage pregnancy, abortion, and LGBT issues. The franchise received numerous Gemini Awards, two International Emmy Awards in 1985 and 1987, and a Peabody Award in 2010. It was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in December 2023. Degrassi: The Next Generation is credited with launching the careers of rapper Drake and actress Nina Dobrev. The franchise's influence extends beyond television into companion novels, graphic novels, documentaries, soundtracks, and non-fiction works.
Did You Know?
- The franchise originated from a short film adaptation of the children's book Ida Makes a Movie by Kay Chorao, which aired on CBC in 1979.
- Degrassi Junior High (1987–1989) is regarded as the first modern television teen drama.
- The episode 'It's Late' from Degrassi Junior High's first season won an International Emmy Award.
- The franchise was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in December 2023.
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