Now, listen up youths, before Euphoria, there was Degrassi: TNG, which pulled no punches as it tackled topics such as abuse, pregnancy, suicide, homophobia, racism and more. It was never afraid to go there.
The series, which premiered in October 2001, was actually the fourth installment of the franchise, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High followed, with TNG serving as a direct follow-up by centering on Emma Nelson (Miriam McDonald), the daughter of Christine Nelson a.k.a. Spike (Amanda Septo) and Shane McKay (Bill Parrott). (And you thought teen dramas couldn’t have a vast mythology!)
Beginning in 2015, Netflix aired four seasons of Degrassi: Next Class after Teen Nick cancelled the series after its 14th season.