Degrassi (unproduced TV series)

Last updated

Degrassi
Genre Teen drama
Created byLara Azzopardi
Julia Cohen
Developed byLara Azzopardi
Julia Cohen
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersLara Azzopardi
Julia Cohen
Production location Toronto, Ontario
Running timeapprox. 60 minutes
Production company WildBrain Studios
Original release
Network Max

Degrassi is an unproduced Canadian teen drama television series and the intended sixth overall series in the Degrassi franchise created by Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler. It was originally announced as a HBO Max (now rebranded as Max) original series in 2022. It was initially going to be the sixth main series [1] and second soft reboot since the Netflix production, Degrassi: Next Class , which ended in 2017. It is also the first series in the franchise not to be helmed by Schuyler, who has stated she has been hired as a consultant.

Contents

Following the January 2022 announcement, updates on its development ceased, [2] and the Warner Bros. Discovery merger in April led to rumours of its cancellation. In November 2022, it was reported by the Wall Street Journal that the series was not moving forward. [3] Several statements from WildBrain and Schuyler have indicated that there are still plans to produce the new Degrassi series. [4]

Production

Announcement and synopsis

On January 13, 2022, it was announced that Max gave a series order to Degrassi, a revival of the franchise of the same name consisting of 10 hour-long episodes. [5] It was announced for a premiere in 2023. [6] The announcement coincided with the platform's acquisition of all 14 seasons of Degrassi: The Next Generation , the fourth iteration of the franchise. [7] Production was scheduled to start in Toronto in the summer of 2022. [8] Casting commenced for the series with a search for youth of diverse backgrounds aged 13 to 20. Filming was expected to start on July 1, 2022, and end on November 30, 2022. [5] [ failed verification ]

The series was being developed by Lara Azzopardi and Julia Cohen, who recently wrote the Degrassi: The Next Generation episode "Heat of the Moment". [9] [10] Linda Schuyler, franchise co-creator, and Stephen Stohn, creative partner on The Next Generation, issued a joint statement confirming that they would not be involved in the new series, stating that the "time is perfect to pass the baton" to Azzopardi and Cohen. [9] In August 2023, Schuyler revealed she had been asked by WildBrain to be a creative consultant. [4]

The show was officially described as "a reprise of the original teen drama", [8] focused on a group of teenagers and school faculty "living in the shadow of events that both bind them together and tear them apart". [8] Tom Pritchard of Tom's Guide noted in May 2022, when no new details had emerged, [6] that the offered synopsis "tells us next to nothing". [6]

Cancellation and future

As the year progressed, there were no new details regarding the reboot or its production aside from the initial announcement. [6] In April 2022, three months after the reboot was announced, WarnerMedia merged with Discovery, Inc., forming Warner Bros. Discovery. Following the merger, numerous original scripted Max projects were scrapped, including Batgirl, which was in post-production. [1] By August 2022, rumours of the reboot's cancellation had begun to emerge in the wake of the news. [11] On November 4, 2022, the Wall Street Journal reported that Degrassi was scrapped. [3] According to The Hollywood Reporter , production had begun as planned but stopped shortly thereafter. [7] The news triggered outcry from fans, [12] and prompted criticism of Max. [13] Stephen Stohn later stated on Twitter that while they weren't involved in any discussions, he and Schuyler remained hopeful that a new series would start production in the future regardless of HBO's decision. [14]

That same day, WildBrain released a statement that the company was still "committed to the future of Degrassi" and that "discussions concerning the contract with WarnerMedia are ongoing", [15] indicating their intentions to find a new distributor. [7] Schuyler echoed this statement in April 2023, telling the Toronto Star that WildBrain had considered the HBO deal a "false start". [16] In August 2023, Schuyler confirmed that the WarnerMedia merger was the direct cause of the November 2022 cancellation, saying "the first thing that the executives from Discovery did was to cancel the Children's and Youth Department." [4] She also indicated that there were still plans for a new Degrassi series, but that the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike had impacted proceedings because the series requires a degree of U.S. involvement. [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Degrassi: The Next Generation</i> 2001 Canadian teen drama television series

Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Yan Moore and Linda Schuyler. It is the fourth series in the Degrassi franchise and a revival of Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High. It premiered on CTV on October 14, 2001, and concluded on August 2, 2015, on MTV Canada. The series centers around a new ensemble cast of students at the fictional Degrassi Community School who face challenges such as sex, teen pregnancy, bullying, date rape, drug abuse, body image, homosexuality, domestic violence, gang violence, self-injury, suicide, abortion, mental disorders and many other issues. Various characters from the previous two series also returned as adults in recurring or guest roles.

<i>Degrassi</i> Canadian teen drama franchise

Degrassi is a Canadian teen drama television franchise created by Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler. Spanning five main series from 1979 to 2017, it follows the lives of youths in Toronto. With the exception of the first series, the franchise takes place in the same fictional timeline, with the titular junior high and/or high school as the central setting. Outside of television, the franchise comprises companion novels, graphic novels, documentaries, soundtracks, and non-fiction works.

<i>The Kids of Degrassi Street</i> 1979 Canadian childrens television series

The Kids of Degrassi Street is a Canadian children's television series created by Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler. The first entry in the Degrassi franchise and the only one to focus on children instead of teenagers, it follows the lives of a group of children living on De Grassi Street in Toronto. It was produced by Hood and Schuyler's independent company Playing With Time. The series originated as a collection of annual standalone short films that started with Ida Makes a Movie, a live-action adaptation of the Kay Chorao book which premiered on the CBC on December 8, 1979. It became a full series in 1982 when the CBC ordered five more episodes.

Ida Makes a Movie is a 1979 Canadian after school special short film produced by Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, who aired the film on December 8, 1979. The story was adapted from the 1974 children's picture book Ida Makes a Movie, which was written by Kay Chorao. Schuyler, a former media teacher at Earl Grey Senior Public School, was introduced to the book via the school's librarian, and purchased the film rights from Chorao for $200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linda Schuyler</span> English-born Canadian television producer

Linda Schuyler is a Canadian television producer. She is best known for being the co-creator and producer of the Degrassi franchise, which has spanned five series over four decades. She is a co-founder of Playing With Time, Inc., and Epitome Pictures, the production companies involved with the franchise over its 40-year-long history respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neil Hope</span> Canadian actor (1972–2007)

Philip Neil Hope, better known and credited as Neil Hope, was a Canadian actor who was best known for portraying Derek "Wheels" Wheeler on the CBC teen drama series Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High from 1987 to 1991, and Robin "Griff" Griffiths in The Kids of Degrassi Street from 1985 to 1986. He also reprised the role of Wheels for two episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation in 2001 and 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kit Hood</span> Canadian television writer, director, and producer (1943–2020)

Christopher Hood, known professionally as Kit Hood, was a Canadian director, editor, writer, and producer who is best known for being the co-creator of the Degrassi television franchise. He was the co-creator and a major creative force of the first three series of the franchise, The Kids of Degrassi Street (1979–86), Degrassi Junior High (1987–89), and Degrassi High (1989-91). As a director, Hood won a Gemini Award in 1987 for the Degrassi Junior High episode "It's Late".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Stohn</span> American-born Canadian lawyer and television producer

John Stephen Stohn, is an American-born Canadian entertainment lawyer and television producer. He is best known for his involvement with the Degrassi teen drama franchise, particularly as an executive producer on Degrassi: The Next Generation. Until 2018 he was the president of Epitome Pictures Inc., which he and his wife Linda Schuyler founded in 1992 and was sold to DHX Media in 2014. On June 7, 2019, he was installed as Chancellor of Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario.

<i>Degrassi: The Next Generation</i> (season 3) Season of television series

The third season of Degrassi: The Next Generation, a Canadian serial teen drama television series, commenced airing in Canada on 17 September 2003 and concluded on 5 April 2004, consisting of twenty-two episodes. This season depicts the lives of a group of high school freshmen and sophomores as they deal with some of the challenges and issues teenagers face such as dysfunctional families, sex, homosexuality, homophobia, theft, self-harm, domestic violence, abortion, emancipation and relationships.

<i>Degrassi: The Next Generation</i> (season 4) Season of television series

The fourth season of Degrassi: The Next Generation commenced airing in Canada on 7 September 2004, concluded on 14 February 2005 and contains twenty-two episodes. Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian serial teen drama television series. This season depicts the lives of a group of high school sophomores and juniors as they deal with some of the challenges and issues teenagers face such as bullying, dysfunctional families, school shootings, mental disorders, STDs, disabilities, gambling, homosexuality, and inappropriate student-teacher relationships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epitome Pictures</span> Canadian film and television production company

Epitome Pictures Inc. was a Canadian film and television production company based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded by Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn in 1992, the company is best known for producing Degrassi: The Next Generation and Degrassi: Next Class, the fourth and fifth respective entries of the Degrassi teen drama franchise, of which was co-created by Schuyler. Other television series produced by Epitome include Liberty Street,Riverdale, and The L.A. Complex. In 2016, Epitome was absorbed into DHX Media and the Epitome name and branding ceased.

<i>Degrassi: The Next Generation</i> (season 7) Season of television series

The seventh season of Degrassi: The Next Generation commenced airing in Canada on 14 January 2008, concluded on 23 June 2008, and consists of twenty-four episodes. Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian serial teen drama television series. This season takes place during the winter/spring semester of the school year that began in season six and continues to depict the lives of a group of high school sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduates as they deal with some of the challenges and issues young adults face, such as rape, school violence, cancer, drug use, prostitution, sexual misconduct, racism, sexism, parenthood, HIV and relationships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alloy Entertainment</span> Book packaging and television production unit of Warner Bros. Television Studios.

Alloy Entertainment, LLC is a book packaging and television production unit of Warner Bros. Television Studios. It produces books, television series, and feature films.

<i>Degrassi</i> (season 10) Season of television series

The tenth season of the Canadian teen drama television series Degrassi, formerly known as Degrassi: The Next Generation, premiered in Canada on July 19, 2010, concluded on April 22, 2011, and consists of 44 episodes. Due to the titular "next generation" of students having been written out by this time, the suffix was dropped. With the start of the tenth season, the series survived longer than the nine-year gap between the Degrassi High telemovie School's Out (1992) and The Next Generation's premiere episode "Mother and Child Reunion" (2001).

<i>Degrassi: Next Class</i> Canadian teen drama television show

Degrassi: Next Class is a Canadian television series primarily created by Linda Schuyler. The fifth and to date most recent series in the Degrassi franchise and a direct sequel to Degrassi: The Next Generation, it premiered on Family's new teen programming block F2N in Canada on January 4, 2016, and was released on Netflix internationally on January 25, 2016.

References

  1. 1 2 Otterson, Joe (2022-11-03). "'Degrassi' Reboot Scrapped at HBO Max". Variety. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  2. ↑ "Degrassi revival is no longer moving forward at HBO Max". GAY TIMES. 2022-11-06. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  3. 1 2 Flint, Joe (November 2, 2022). "Warner Bros. Discovery Marriage Hurt by High Debt, Low Morale". The Wall Street Journal . Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Linda Schuyler: "I remain very hopeful that there will be a [Degrassi] reboot" – Degrassi Online // Your #1 Degrassi News & Media Source!". 2023-08-12. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  5. 1 2 "WarnerMedia Kids & Family Greenlights New Degrassi Series and Picks Up Degrassi: The Next Generation Library for HBO Max" (Press release). WildBrain. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Pritchard, Tom (2022-01-14). "Two long-canceled TV shows are getting the reboot treatment". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  7. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (2022-11-03). "'Degrassi' Revival Scrapped at HBO Max". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  8. 1 2 3 Swift, Andy (2022-11-03). "Degrassi Reboot Cancelled at HBO Max". TVLine. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  9. 1 2 Friend, David (January 13, 2022). "New one-hour Degrassi series to premiere spring 2023 on HBO Max". CBC News . The Canadian Press . Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  10. ↑ Ajello, Erin. "A new 'Degrassi' reboot is coming. Here's everything we know so far". Insider. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  11. ↑ Marfo, Dorcas (4 August 2022). "Degrassi fans fear the worst for reboot after reports surface over HBO Max's plans to drop scripted shows". The Toronto Star . Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  12. ↑ Wheeler, Brad (2022-11-04). "Production of Degrassi reboot series on pause, WarnerMedia cancels HBO Max debut". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  13. ↑ Martinez, Kelly (3 November 2022). "It Looks Like The "Degrassi" Reboot Is No More At HBO Max". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  14. ↑ Stohn, Stephen [@stephenstohn] (November 4, 2022). "Linda and I are as eager as all Degrassi fans to see and enjoy and engage in a new Degrassi series, on whatever service that may be! We are not involved with the current discussions. We remain hopeful that production of a new series will proceed soon. "Whatever it takes!"" (Tweet). Retrieved 2022-11-05– via Twitter.
  15. ↑ "Production 'paused' on new 'Degrassi' TV series as HBO Max pulls out". CP24. 2022-11-04. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  16. ↑ Yeo, Debra (2023-04-09). "'Degrassi' creator Linda Schuyler on her memoir 'The Mother of All Degrassi' — the hardest part to write was the title". Toronto Star . Retrieved 2023-04-09.
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