Baby, there's a shark in the water! After almost five years of no new Degrassi episodes, school is BACK in session.
Obviously, as a superfan, I'm thrilled — and admittedly nervous! Here's everything we know so far:
School is back in session. Thrilled to be partnering with @hbomax on a new #Degrassi series from @WildBrainHQ! https://t.co/g3qW5vLp24 https://t.co/2aenyPBjUg
1. WildBrain (previously known as DHX Media) is producing the new series in partnership with HBO Max.
2. The series will consist of 10 hourlong episodes per season.
3. The new showrunners, Lara Azzopardi and Julia Cohen, have a long resume in the field of teen dramas.
The news is finally out! @azzzy and I couldn’t be more excited to have the baton passed to us from @stephenstohn and Linda as Degrassi begins this exciting new chapter. (1/3) ‘Degrassi’: New Series Greenlit at HBO Max, ‘Next Generation’ to Stream in Spring https://t.co/taCpzB6IrW
Original creators and executive producers Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn are passing the baton.
Azzopardi created the Canadian drama series Backstage — which aired on Family Channel and Disney Channel from 2016–2017 — and has also worked on The Bold Type, The LA Complex (which starred Degrassi alumnus Cassie Steele, aka THE Manny Santos), 911, Mary Kills, and others. Cohen has worked as a writer and producer on A Million Little Things, Riverdale, Legion, Quantico, Dallas, and others. Both have also written Degrassi: The Next Generation episodes.
“What excites us maybe the most about reviving this beloved franchise is turning it into a truly serialized one-hour drama," Azzopardi and Cohen said in a recent WildBrain press release. "We’re honored to be given the opportunity to lead this evolution and bring this iconic series back into people’s homes.”
4. HBO Max bought the rights to all 14 seasons of Degrassi: The Next Generation. However, Next Class remains with Netflix.
5. Casting has yet to be announced, but the show will begin shooting in the summer of 2022 in Toronto.
6. The series is expected to start fresh with a new cast of characters for the next generation.
7. BUT, that doesn't mean there won't (possibly) be cameos from former Degrassi students and/or faculty.
Soooo….Zoe Rivas is going to be the Drama class TA? 😇 The new students def want a cute teacher that greets them with “Bonjour Bitches”. 💁🏻♀️ https://t.co/iQlgO9emYb
Ana Golja (who played our iconic lesbian queen Zoë Rivas) is already campaigning for her character's return. Other TNG cast members, such as Daniel Clark (Sean), Cassie Steele (Manny), and Lauren Collins (Paige) have shared their excitement for the reboot. And Degrassi producers, if you're reading this...may I remind you that Amanda Arcuri and Eric Osborne also said in a BuzzFeed interview that they would be totally down to cameo (hopefully as a couple, finally)?! Also, imagine the absolute chaos that would ensue if Drake (who started off as Jimmy Brooks) made a cameo.
8. The show will focus more on the home lives of characters.
9. And finally, my personal favorite — V V Brown wants to do another "Shark in the Water" promo!
View this video on YouTube
If you turned on the TV at any point during the summer of 2010, there's no way this TeenNick promo doesn't still live in your head rent-free. And if we're lucky, we just might get a new edition! "I would love to recreate a new version of Shark in the water for the @HBO Degrassi. I’m gonna get on the folks," singer V V Brown tweeted. Um, YES??!
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!
To all you hardcore fans that didn’t give up on a #degrassi reboot. 👏🤠