With Degrassi set to end its 14-year run on TeenNick, Netflix has stepped in to admit “the next class.” The streaming service announced that it would offer the Canadian soap to American fans, starting in 2016.
Come early next year, Netflix and Canada’s Family Channel will both air Degrassi: Next Class. Along with a press release, Netflix tweeted about the show’s second chance early this morning.
Degrassi graduates to Netflix. Meet the Next Class, coming in 2016 pic.twitter.com/FhUZJ3ZiiL
— Netflix US (@netflix) June 9, 2015
The latest version will start with 20 new episodes and include a host of familiar faces who will reprise their roles. The streaming version will continue to be produced by Toronto-based Epitome Pictures, so we don’t expect an overwhelming amount of changes. Fans can rest assured that the show will still provide a healthy dose of high school drama. The series will continue exploring subjects affecting today’s teens as we’ve come to expect over the franchise’s 35-year history. Over the years the show has tackled numerous controversial issues, including bullying, eating disorders, homosexuality, abortion, and so much more.
Originally a kids’ show called The Kids of Degrassi Street, the series followed many of its characters as they aged, first becoming Degrassi Junior High, and then Degrassi High. Next came Degrassi: The Next Generation, which was later shortened to Degrassi. Watching the franchise is practically a rite of passage for many teens, and thanks to the move to Netflix, American teens today won’t miss out. The staple series has launched the careers of big names, such as rapper Drake, whose character was shot but lived to tell the tale, and Nina Dobrev (The Vampire Diaries), who played a teen mom.
Netflix’s decision to air Degrassi: Next Class is yet another example of a streaming service swooping in and saving the day for fans about to bid adieu to their favorite show. Last month Hulu saved The Mindy Project from cancellation, and Yahoo Screen has just completed airing Community Season 6 after NBC cut ties.
