9 Things To Know About The HBO "Degrassi" Reboot
Baby, there's a shark in the water! After almost five years of no new Degrassi episodes, school is BACK in session.
Netflix / fionacoynes / Tumblr / Via fionacoynes.tumblr.com
On Jan. 13, it was announced that HBO Max has officially greenlit a Degrassi reboot, set to stream in 2023.
Obviously, as a superfan, I'm thrilled — and admittedly nervous! Here's everything we know so far:
1.WildBrain (previously known as DHX Media) is producing the new series in partnership with HBO Max.
Although it will stream on HBO, the show falls under the WarnerMedia Kids & Family section. So while the reboot will likely have the freedom to "go there," I wouldn't expect Degrassi to turn into Euphoria.
“I’m delighted that our first-ever commission from HBO Max is for Degrassi, a truly venerable franchise with a highly devoted and passionate audience," WildBrain CEO Eric Ellenbogen said in a Variety article. "This is yet another evergreen property from our vast IP library that we are reviving with a fresh vision and creative-first approach.”
2.The series will consist of 10 hourlong episodes per season.
This is a shift from Next Class, which had 24-minute-long episodes. The show has never been done in an hourlong format, so I'm definitely interested to see how this will change things.
3.The new showrunners, Lara Azzopardi and Julia Cohen, have a long resume in the field of teen dramas.
4.HBO Max bought the rights to all 14 seasons of Degrassi: The Next Generation. However, Next Class remains with Netflix.
All 14 seasons of TNG will be available to stream on HBO Max in the US starting sometime this spring. Now, as far as the rights go — this is admittedly above my pay grade, but I'd imagine characters who appeared in TNG before Next Class (ie. the Hollingsworth siblings, Lola, Shay, Maya, etc.) might still be able to make cameos, while I'm doubtful that characters who were exclusively on Next Class (Saad, Rasha, Baaz, Goldi, Vijay, Esme, and Yael) could come back under the current agreement.
5.Casting has yet to be announced, but the show will begin shooting in the summer of 2022 in Toronto.
DHX Media sold the Degrassi set in 2019. It's unknown if the reboot would still try to use the original set or start fresh with a new building. I don't know about you all, but if The Dot, the ravine, and Lola's Cantina aren't featured, I will be very upset!
6.The series is expected to start fresh with a new cast of characters for the next generation.
Unlike Next Class, which more or less picked up from where Season 14 left off, this reboot is starting with a clean slate. “Now in its fourth decade, Degrassi is one of those beloved evergreen properties that demands to be refreshed for each new generation," WildBrain president Josh Scherba said in a press release. "Stephanie Betts, our Chief Content Officer, along with showrunners Lara Azzopardi and Julia Cohen, have envisioned an evolution for Degrassi that, while staying true to the fundamental honesty, humanity, and integrity of the brand, promises fans a journey into exciting new territory, both creatively and dramatically. We’re delighted to be partnering with HBO Max to deliver this new vision to fans and extend Degrassi’s legacy.”
7.BUT, that doesn't mean there won't (possibly) be cameos from former Degrassi students and/or faculty.
8.The show will focus more on the home lives of characters.
This was something from early TNG that I definitely missed in the later seasons. The WildBrain press release states: "The show travels deep into the hearts and homes of diverse, complicated characters, as they struggle to find their new normal, reaching for hope, redemption, and love."
9.And finally, my personal favorite — V V Brown wants to do another "Shark in the Water" promo!
Are you excited for the Degrassi reboot? Which characters are you hoping to see again? Do you think Emma and Spinner are still married? Let us know in the comments!
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