List of Degrassi: Next Class characters

Last updated

Degrassi: Next Class is a Canadian teen drama television series primarily created by Linda Schuyler. [1] The fifth entry in the Degrassi franchise created by Schuyler and Kit Hood, it is a direct continuation of the fourth series Degrassi: The Next Generation. It was released on Netflix internationally in January 2016 and aired on the Family Channel teen block, F2N, in Canada. Although a direct continuation of Degrassi: The Next Generation, and originally intended to be a new season of that series, it was designed and marketed as a new entry. [2]

Contents

The following is a list of characters who have appeared in the series.

Appearances

ActorCharacterEpisodesSeasons
1 2 3 4
Main cast
Amanda ArcuriLola Pacini37 Main
Amir Bageria Baaz Nahir24 Main
Jamie BlochYael Baron25 Main
Stefan Brogren Principal Archie "Snake" Simpson8 Main
Soma Bhatia Goldi Nahir27 Main
Chelsea Clark Esme Song28 Main
Reiya DownsShaylynn "Shay" Powers30 Main
Ana Golja Zoë Rivas32 Main
Nikki Gould Grace Cardinal39 Main
Ricardo Hoyos Zigmund "Zig" Novak35 Main
Ehren KassamJonah Haak35 Main
André Dae Kim Winston "Chewy" Chu31 Main
Lyle Lettau Tristan Milligan31 Main
Spencer MacPhersonHunter Hollingsworth29 Main
Eric Osborne Miles Hollingsworth III35 Main
Dante ScottVijay Maraj25 Main
Olivia Scriven Maya Matlin33 Main
Sara Waisglass Francesca "Frankie" Hollingsworth37 Main
Richard WaltersDeon "Tiny" Bell33 Main
Parham RownaghiSaad Al'Maliki12 Main
Dalia YegavianRasha Zuabi16 Main

Main characters

The following actors have all received star billing and are listed as "starring" after the opening theme song of Degrassi: Next Class .

Students

Character namePortrayed bySeasons featured
Baaz Nahir Amir Bageria 1–4 (regular) [3]
Grade 12 (Senior)

The younger brother of Goldi, Baaz is a 12th grader who is always looking for new business ventures. He is friends with Hunter, Vijay, and Yael, and together, with Lola, they run a YouTube Channel called All Inclusive, which was made after their gaming club was shut down. Baaz is smart, calculating, and methodical, and his logic often gets in the way of emotional connections.

  • Baaz has appeared in 24 episodes.
Esme Song Chelsea Clark 1–4 (regular) [3]
Grade 12 (Senior - REPEAT)

Esme is a senior repeating her final year after skipping school for a month. She previously dated Miles, and then dated Zig. She is seen as attention seeking and lives in the moment. She is seen as willing to manipulate a situation or a person in order to get what she wants. However, these antics are rooted in a need for attention, which causes her to lash out. In the season 4 finale, Esme finally accepts that she needs help.

  • Was supposed to graduate in season 4 with the Class of 2016 but was held back due to her skipping school for a month.
  • Esme has appeared in 28 episodes.
Francesca "Frankie" Hollingsworth Sara Waisglass 1–4 (regular)
Grade 12 (Senior)

Frankie is the younger sister of Miles, and the twin to Hunter. She is seen trying to be the perfect daughter, and is seen as grounded and intelligent. She dated Jonah Haak, but they broke up when he stopped trusting her. She then dated both Zig and Esme, but the relationship quickly ended when Zig started to realize the extent of Esme's behaviour. Frankie is seen as trying to be the perfect daughter and suffers from being misunderstood.

Goldi Nahir Soma Bhatia 1–4 (regular) [3]
Graduate (Class of 2016)

An activist and feminist who runs for class president, and though she doesn't win, becomes vice president for her junior and senior years. She is passionate, but sometimes comes off as standoffish to other people. She is attacked in season 3 when she has her hijab removed and struggles with whether or not to wear her hijab, and her Muslim faith. She later begins dating Winston Chu.

  • Goldi has appeared in 27 episodes including credit only appearances.
Grace Cardinal Nikki Gould 1–4 (regular)
Graduate (Class of 2016)

Grace is a blunt and unapologetic about her opinions, but caring and compassionate when it comes to her friends. In season 1, Grace reveals to Zoe that she has cystic fibrosis, and finally tells her friends in season 2 after passing out. She is best friends with Zoe, despite having a falling out after Zoe kisses Zig, her crush, at the end of season 1. In her senior year, Grace, along with Jonah, put together a play as their way of dealing with the bus crash. Grace and Jonah later end up dating.

  • Has appeared since the 13th season of Degrassi: The Next Generation.
  • Grace has appeared in 39 episodes.
Hunter HollingsworthSpencer MacPherson1–4 (regular)
Grade 12 (Senior)

The younger brother of Miles, and twin to Frankie, Hunter is a computer gamer, and comic book lover. In season one, Hunter, along with his friend, trolls and cyberbullies Maya. He later brings a gun to the school dance, but is stopped by Miles before doing anything. He is later diagnosed with anger problems and depression. He is seen dating Yael, but they break up after he is unaccepting following their coming out as genderqueer.

  • Has appeared since the 13th season of the first incarnation.
  • Hunter has appeared in 29 episodes.
Jonah HaakEhren Kassam1–4 (regular)
Graduate (Class of 2016) [4] Jonah used to be a troublemaker, but saw the light. He dated Frankie, but due to trust issues, they ended up breaking up. He and Grace grow close after working on a play together as their way of dealing with the bus crash.
  • Has appeared since the 14th season of Degrassi: The Next Generation.
  • Jonah has appeared in 35 episodes.
Lola PaciniAmanda Arcuri1–4 (regular)
Grade 12 (Senior)

Lola is an excitable and boy-crazy girl with a vibrant personality. She dates Tiny, which causes a rift in her friendship with Shay, who also had feelings for Tiny. Following this, she dates Miles when Tristan is in a coma. She has an abortion in season three following an affair with Miles, though he does not find out about it until after she has it. She becomes friends with Yael, and helps them when they become confused about their gender identity. She later befriends Saad, a student from Syria. She is seen as best friends with Frankie and Shay.

  • Has appeared since the 14th season of Degrassi: The Next Generation.
  • Lola has appeared in 36 episodes.
Maya Matlin Olivia Scriven 1–4 (regular)
Graduate (Class of 2016)

Maya is seen as a musician with a passion for writing songs. She has an on-off relationship with Zig. They date in season one, but break up after ZIg cheats on her with Zoe. She has a co-op in season two and is one of the students in the bus crash. Following the crash, Maya becomes depressed and attempts to kill herself but survives when she is found by Zig and Esme. In season four, Maya is dealing with the aftermath of her depression and struggles with writing music. She is seen as best friends with Grace and Tristan.

  • Has appeared since the 11th season of Degrassi: The Next Generation.
  • Maya has appeared in 33 episodes.
Miles Hollingsworth III Eric Osborne 1–4 (regular)
Graduate (Class of 2016)

In season one, Miles deals with the aftermath of his father's abuse. It is discovered that he suffers from anxiety and depression, and he briefly dates Esme but they break up after she gets him addicted to drugs. Miles identifies as bisexual, though it takes him a while for him to label himself. He dates Tristan Milligan, but Tristan breaks up with him because he doesn't want to hold him back. Miles hooks up with Lola following the bus crash putting Tristan in a coma and is seen by his side, supporting him in season four after he wakes up.

  • Has appeared since the 13th season of Degrassi: The Next Generation.
  • Miles has appeared in 35 episodes.
Rasha ZuabiDalia Yegavian3–4 (regular)
Grade 12 (Senior)

Rasha came to Degrassi from Syria and is currently living with Goldi and her family. She, like Goldi, is Muslim, but chooses not to wear her hijab to school. She eventually dates Zoë Rivas, and they attend prom together, where they win prom queens.

  • Rasha has appeared in 16 episodes.
Saad Al'MalikiParham Rownaghi3–4 (regular)
Grade 12 (Senior)

Saad, like Rasha, is a student from Syria, but unlike her, is unhappy in Canada. He becomes friends with Maya, but is shunned by everyone following her suicide attempt. He is befriended by Lola, who treats him with kindness. He is seen as suffering from home sickness, though he sister does not.

  • Saad has appeared in 12 episodes.
Shaylynn "Shay" PowersReiya Downs1–4 (regular)
Grade 12 (Senior)

Shay is an athlete and straight-A student who tries to be the best student, athlete and daughter. She has conflict with Lola in season one when Lola starts dating Tiny, despite her knowing that Shay liked him. After they break up, she and Tiny start dating. Shay deals with the upcoming pressures of applying for college while also pressure to have sex with her boyfriend, Tiny.

  • Has appeared since the 14th season of Degrassi: The Next Generation.
  • Shay has appeared in 30 episodes.
Deon "Tiny" BellRichard Walters1–4 (regular)
Graduate (Class of 2016)

Tiny has big dreams for himself, but he also had big troubles in the past. Turning his life around after being in a gang with Zig, he is smart and has huge standards for himself. In Degrassi: The Next Generation, it was revealed that he is the younger brother of drug dealer and gang member Vincent who previously shot Adam at prom.

  • Has appeared since the 13th season of Degrassi: The Next Generation.
  • Tiny has appeared in 33 episodes.
Tristan Milligan Lyle Lettau 1–4 (regular)
Graduate (Class of 2016)

Tristan is out, proud, and not afraid to be himself. He is the student council president in his junior year, and has a rift with his ex-boyfriend, Miles. He helps Zoë when she struggles with her sexuality. After him and Miles get back together, he is one of the students on the bus crash, and spends most of season three in a coma. Upon awakening, he is seen in therapy and occasionally at school. He and Miles break up because he didn't want to hold Miles back from doing what he wanted.

  • Has appeared since the 11th season of Degrassi: The Next Generation.
  • Tristan has appeared in 31 episodes.
Vijay MarajDante Scott1–4 (regular) [5]
Grade 12 (Senior)

Vijay is a hopeless romantic with a flair for the dramatic. He believes in happy endings, and spends his time vlogging and sharing his covers on YouTube. He's an idealist who's honest, emotional, and who always follows his heart, even though it usually leads him towards heartbreak.

  • Vijay has appeared in 25 episodes.
Winston "Chewy" Chu André Dae Kim 1–4 (regular)
Graduate (Class of 2016)

Winston is smart and sarcastic and best friends with Miles Hollingsworth III. Winston masks his insecurity with a cynical attitude and self-deprecating sense of humor, which protect him from moving too far out of his comfort zone. He's often the voice of reason and a reluctant co-conspirator in hijinks.

  • Has appeared since the 13th season of Degrassi: The Next Generation.
  • Winston has appeared in 31 episodes.
Yael BaronJamie Bloch1–4 (regular) [6]
Grade 12 (Senior)

Yael is friends with Hunter, Vijay, and Baaz, and along with them, is involved with the trolling of Maya, but is seen as apologetic. They are interested in Hunter in season one, but grows scared of him following his changing behaviour, though they start dating at the end of season two. In season four, Yael struggles with their gender identity, and later comes out as genderqueer, and uses they/them pronouns. This causes a rift between them and Hunter, who struggles with accepting their identity, causing them to break up.

  • Yael coming out as non-binary makes them the first non-binary character in the Degrassi franchise.
  • Yael has appeared in 25 episodes.
Zigmund "Zig" Novak Ricardo Hoyos 1–4 (regular)
Graduate (Class of 2016)

Zig is a handsome and charming guy with a less than ideal home life. Zig dated Maya before they broke up because he cheated on her with Zoe. He later dates Esme, but breaks up with her after realizing her dangerous and manipulative behaviour.

  • Has appeared since the 11th season of Degrassi: The Next Generation.
  • Zig has appeared in 35 episodes.
Zoë Rivas Ana Golja 1–4 (regular)
Graduate (Class of 2016)

Zoë is a fierce and fashion forward student and former actor. She struggles with her sexuality, and a crush on best friend, Grace. They hook up, but after Grace reveals that she doesn't have feelings for Zoë, she makes out with Grace's crush, Zig. Zoë then dates Winston Chu and denies her sexuality until the end of season two, when she finally accepts who she is. Following being kicked out by her mother, Zoë proceeds to live with Grace, and starts dating Rasha. She was made valedictorian of the class of 2016.

  • Has appeared since the 13th season of Degrassi: The Next Generation.
  • Zoë has appeared in 32 episodes.

Adults

Character namePortrayed bySeasons featured
Archibald "Archie" "Snake" Simpson Stefan Brogren 1–4 (regular)
Mr. Simpson is the Principal of Degrassi Community School and used to be the Media Immersion teacher. Hailing from Degrassi as an alumnus, Mr. Simpson has a deep love for the school. After several horrible events at the school and a suspension from being Principal for a few months, Simpson returns ready to turn Degrassi around.
  • Has been credited in every season of the Degrassi franchise, except The Kids of Degrassi Street.
  • He was the first to say "fuck" on Canadian broadcast television, in the 1992 Degrassi telefilm, School's Out .

Alumni Guest stars

Character namePortrayed bySeasons featured
Peter Stone Jamie Johnston 2 (recurring)
A former student of Degrassi Community School who is now working in a recording studio. He reappears at Degrassi searching for a student for a co-op placement at his studio.
Katie Matlin Chloe Rose 3 (recurring), 4 (Guest)
Maya's older sister and a former Degrassi pupil who is currently attending a California University on a soccer scholarship. She returns home after their mother tells her Maya is suffering from depression.

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.

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

Degrassi is a Canadian teen drama television franchise created by Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler. With five main installments between 1979 and 2017, the franchise follows the lives of youths in Toronto, with the titular junior high and/or high school as the central setting; since 1987, each entry has taken place in the same fictional universe. Outside of television, the franchise comprises a variety of other media, such as companion novels, graphic novels, documentaries, soundtracks, and non-fiction works.

<i>Degrassi High</i> 1989 Canadian teen drama television series

Degrassi High is a Canadian television series created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood. The third entry in the Degrassi teen drama franchise and the direct continuation of Degrassi Junior High, it aired on the CBC for two seasons from November 6, 1989 to February 28, 1991 and on PBS in the United States starting from January 13, 1990. Like its predecessor, it was a non-union show produced by Playing With Time with involvement from WGBH.

<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.

"Mother and Child Reunion" is the two-part pilot episode of the Canadian teen drama television series Degrassi: The Next Generation, which premiered on October 14, 2001 on the CTV Television Network. The episode was written by story editor Aaron Martin and series co-creator/creative consultant Yan Moore, and directed by Bruce McDonald. As with the majority of Degrassi: The Next Generation episodes, "Mother and Child Reunion" takes its title from a pop song, "Mother and Child Reunion", written and performed by Paul Simon.

<i>Degrassi: The Next Generation</i> season 8 Season of television series

The eighth season of Degrassi: The Next Generation premiered in Canada on 5 October 2008, concluded on 30 August 2009, and consists of twenty-two episodes. Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian serial teen drama television series. Although only one school year passed in the story timeline since season six, season eight is set in the fall semester of the year in which it aired. Writers have been able to use a semi-floating timeline, so that the issues depicted are modern for their viewers. This season depicts the lives of a group of high school freshmen, juniors, seniors, and graduates as they deal with some of the challenges and issues young adults face such as sex, sexism, sexual identity, financial difficulties, drug use, mental disorders, cyberbullying, child molestation, stress, hostage situations, racism, and psychological abuse. Thirteen actors are added to the ensemble cast, while fourteen cast members have either left the series or been dropped from the main cast to recurring roles. The season focuses heavily on the new generation of students at Degrassi Community School, although it included storylines about those who have graduated and gone on to university.

<i>Degrassi: The Next Generation</i> season 9 Season of television series

The ninth season of Degrassi: The Next Generation premiered in Canada on October 4, 2009, concluded on July 16, 2010, and consists of twenty-three episodes. Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian serial teen drama television series. Although only one school year passed in the story timeline since season six, season nine is set in the spring semester in which the years it aired. Writers have been able to use a semi-floating timeline, so that the issues depicted are modern for their viewers. This season continues to depict the lives of a group of high school freshmen, juniors and seniors, and graduates as they deal with some of the challenges and issues that young adults face such as drug abuse, sexting, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual identity, homosexuality, crime, sex, and relationships.

<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</i> season 11 Season of television series

The eleventh season of the Canadian teen drama television series Degrassi, formerly known as Degrassi: The Next Generation, premiered on July 18, 2011, concluded on May 18, 2012, and consists of 45 episodes. Although only three school years have passed in the story timeline since season six, part one of season eleven is set in the final term of the Spring semester, while part two is set in the fall semester to the first term of the winter semester in the years it aired. Writers used a semi-floating timeline, so that the issues depicted were modern for their viewers. The first half of this season again depicts the lives of a group of high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors while the second half of this season depicts the lives of a group of high school freshmen, juniors, and seniors as they deal with some of the challenges and issues that teenagers face such as gang violence, parenthood, transphobia, homosexuality, drug use, dysfunctional families, mental disorders, adoption, organ transplantation, crime, bulimia, alcoholism, sex, drug abuse, and murder.

<i>Degrassi</i> season 13 Season of television series

The thirteenth season of the Canadian teen drama television series Degrassi, formerly known as Degrassi: The Next Generation, premiered on July 11, 2013, concluded on July 29, 2014, in Canada and the United States, and consists of 40 episodes. Although only four school years have passed in the story timeline since season six, this season was split into 4 parts. The first part is set in the summer. The second part is set in the fall/winter semester. The third and fourth part is set during the first term of the Spring semester. Writers have been able to use a semi-floating timeline, so that the issues depicted are modern for their viewers. This season depicts the lives of a group of high school freshmen, sophomores, seniors and graduates as they deal with some of the challenges and issues that teenagers face such as cancer, texting while driving, death, sexism, sleep disorders, cyber bullying, domestic violence, rape, racial profiling and relationships.

The fourteenth and final season of the Canadian teen drama television series Degrassi, formerly known as Degrassi: The Next Generation, premiered on October 28, 2014. Although seven school years have passed in the story timeline since season six, season fourteen is set during the second term of the spring semester in the years it aired. Writers have been able to use a semi-floating timeline, so that the issues depicted are modern for their viewers. This season again depicts the lives of a group of high school freshmen, sophomores, seniors and Graduates as they deal with some of the challenges and issues that teenagers face such as teenage pregnancy, dysfunctional families, sexism, arson, sexting, sexual identity, miscarriages, anxiety disorders, drug use, child abuse, abstinence, and gang violence.

<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.

<i>Degrassi: Next Class</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of Degrassi: Next Class premiered on January 4, 2016, in Canada and was released on January 15, 2016, internationally. It was the first season to air on Family in Canada and on Netflix internationally.

<i>Degrassi: Next Class</i> season 2 Season of television series

2016, on Family Channel under the teen block F2N in Canada and began streaming internationally on July 22, 2016, on Netflix.

<i>Degrassi: Next Class</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of Degrassi: Next Class premiered on January 9, 2017, on Family Channel under the teen block F2N in Canada and began streaming internationally on January 6, 2017, on Netflix.

<i>Degrassi: Next Class</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth and final season of Degrassi: Next Class was released on June 30, 2017, on the Family Channel App ahead of its television premiere on July 3, 2017, on Family Channel under the teen block F2N in Canada. It streamed internationally on July 7, 2017, through Netflix.

References

  1. "Family Channel's new teen block F2N launches January 4 with the premiere of Degrassi: Next... - TORONTO, Nov. 30, 2015". Newswire.ca. Retrieved 2015-12-05.
  2. "Stephen Stohn on Twitter: "@Tom_degassi @Rcarter555 we've been wondering that ourselves. It's really both. But I think it will be easier to call it DNC Season 1"". Twitter.com. 2015-06-11. Retrieved 2015-08-11.
  3. 1 2 3 "See the first trailer for Netflix's 'Degrassi: Next Class' — exclusive". Entertainment Weekly.
  4. "Former I.E. Weldon student heads off to 'Next Class'". 22 December 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  5. "Autograph Photo Of Ana Golia From Degrassi". eBay.
  6. "Get Your First Look at Degrassi: Next Class on Netflix". E! Online. November 24, 2015.