Degrassi

Set at Degrassi Community School, the series follows an interwoven group of students as they deal with the messy, often confusing realities of teenage life. Storylines track romance, family pressure, identity, school politics, and the fallout from bad choices, with plots that move between characters rather than centering a single protagonist. Each episode balances everyday moments with dramatic incidents that force characters to re-evaluate relationships and priorities, while friendships change, loyalties shift, and consequences linger. The show keeps things grounded, using realistic dialogue and ordinary settings so the highs and lows feel immediate. It doesn't promise tidy resolutions, and it often leaves problems open-ended to reflect how growing up rarely wraps up neatly. New faces appear over time, across seasons.

Premiering in 2001, the series was developed by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore as part of the long-running Degrassi franchise. It aired in Canada and the United States, updating the series format for a new generation and targeted teen audiences.

Across its run, Degrassi earned nominations from Canadian television awards and recognition at youth-oriented ceremonies, reflecting industry and audience appreciation. Several seasons and performances drew critical notice, and the show frequently appeared on year-end lists for youth television. It drew attention from international critics and prompted discussion around youth programming.

The show became influential in normalizing frank conversations about teenage issues, encouraging other programs to treat topics like teen pregnancy, sexuality, bullying, and mental health with honesty. It helped make realistic, character-driven teen drama mainstream across North America. Its casting of young actors and blunt outcomes influenced later teen dramas.

Critics and audiences reacted positively, reflected by a 7.5/10 vote average from viewers. The series focuses on adolescence, identity, peer pressure, and the messy consequences of choices, often favoring raw realism over tidy moralizing. Its ensemble format and recurring arcs give weight to long-term character growth and complex family dynamics.