New Degrassi Docuseries from WildBrain

WildBrain has begun production on a new docuseries about the renowned Canadian TV franchise Degrassi and its 40-year legacy.

Co-produced by Peacock Alley, the three-hour series will feature exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Degrassi’s creators, cast, crew and fans, as well as generations of filmmakers who have been influenced by the franchise.

The franchise includes shows such as The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, Degrassi: The Next Generation and Degrassi: Next Class.

The docuseries will explore how Degrassi has changed through the decades as the world around it changed. The franchise has continuously broken new ground by addressing issues that were often seen as “controversial” for TV, such as teen pregnancy, racism, AIDS, eating disorders, child abuse, learning disabilities, gender identity, violence and more.

Degrassi was originally created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979 out of a desire to tell authentic stories for young people that reflected the diverse generation of school kids that Schuyler, then a teacher, saw in her Toronto classrooms. New actors often joined the cast when they were about 14 years old—the same age as the grade nine kids they would be portraying. They would age alongside their characters, playing them until they graduated high school and sometimes returning as teachers or parents to the next generation.

Degrassi has launched the careers of many performers, including recording artist Drake (then credited as Aubrey Graham) and actors Raymond Ablack (Ginny & Georgia), Luke Bilyk (The Porter), Nina Dobrev (Vampire Diaries), Jake Epstein (Suits), Stacey Farber (The Spencer Sisters), Shenae Grimes (90210), Aislinn Paul (Heroes Reborn), Melinda Shankar (How to be Indie), Sara Waisglass (Ginny & Georgia) and Stefan Brogren (Degrassi High, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Degrassi: Next Class). Notable guest stars and cameos have included Chaz Bono, Billy Ray Cyrus, Vivica A. Fox, Dan Levy, Jason Mewes, Keke Palmer, Kevin Smith and Pete Wentz.

Since its debut, Degrassi has been recognized with dozens of awards across its six series, 500 episodes and four TV movies, including two International Emmy Awards, two Teen Choice Awards and a Peabody. In December 2023, it was inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame.

The docuseries is being directed by Lisa Rideout (Sex with Sue, This is Pop) and executive produced by WildBrain’s Josh Scherba, Stephanie Betts and Angela Boudreault, as well as Peacock Alley’s Carrie Madd (Leonard Cohen: Tower of Song, Travelers). Erin Sharp (Sex with Sue, Hip-Hop Evolution) is producing.

“Degrassi continues to be enormously popular, resonating with fans across generations, from adults who grew up watching the show to today’s teens who are discovering it for the first time,” said Scherba, president and CEO of WildBrain. “In fact, more people today watch Degrassi around the world than ever before. Its enduring popularity is driven by its unflinching honesty and authenticity, tackling topics and issues that teenagers everywhere face. Peacock Alley brings award-winning talent and credentials to this project, and we look forward to working with them to share this exclusive inside view of Degrassi with fans everywhere.”

Rideout commented, “Adolescence is a period of firsts—first time wearing a bra, first time shaving, first dance with a crush, first awkward kiss at a party. Teens fumble their way through these experiences, trying their best to come out on the other side unscathed. Degrassi has brought these awkward, embarrassing and unspoken truths of youth to the screen for over four decades. As someone who came of age watching Degrassi, I remember the much-needed reassurance I got from the show as a teen. Degrassi not only helped teens feel less alone, it also didn’t shy away from what we wanted to know about puberty, sex, relationships and so much more. I’m thrilled to be showcasing the enormous impact Degrassi had on the viewers, the cast and crew and to be telling the incredible story of one of Canada’s most successful and unique franchises.”