‘Degrassi: Whatever It Takes’ Documentary Premiering at TIFF Highlights a Teen Drama That Crossed Borders
3 mins readDegrassi is more than a Canadian success story—it’s a series that crossed borders and became a defining part of teen television for audiences around the world, including here in the United States. Now, its history and legacy are being celebrated in a new documentary, Degrassi: Whatever It Takes, which will premiere September 13 at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The film brings together creator Linda Schuyler, longtime producer Stephen Stohn, filmmaker and superfan Kevin Smith, and cast members from across the franchise’s many eras. Among those featured are Stefan Brogren, Amanda Stepto, Stacie Mistysyn, Miriam McDonald, Shenae Grimes-Beech, Aubrey “Drake” Graham, Jake Epstein, Melinda Shankar, and more. Together, they reflect on how the show shaped their lives and became a cultural force.
From the beginning, Degrassi stood apart because it was unafraid to tackle issues most American shows of the 1980s and 1990s wouldn’t touch—teen pregnancy, LGBTQ identity, abortion, mental health, bullying, and more. That honesty helped the series resonate deeply with audiences beyond Canada, particularly in the U.S., where its raw storytelling stood in stark contrast to the polished image of teen life often portrayed on network television.
From Toronto Streets to American Living Rooms
The story began with The Kids of Degrassi Street in 1982, a modest Canadian series on CBC that captured the everyday struggles of childhood. Its success led to Degrassi Junior High (1987) and Degrassi High (1989–1991), which expanded into adolescence and confronted the real challenges teens were facing.
For many U.S. viewers, Degrassi arrived through public television. Airing on PBS in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High introduced American audiences to a style of storytelling that felt starkly different from shows produced in Hollywood. Instead of glossing over uncomfortable realities, Degrassi leaned into them, portraying teenage life with an honesty that was rarely seen on U.S. screens. For countless American teens, this was their first glimpse of a series that spoke to their lives without sugarcoating the struggles.
When Degrassi: The Next Generation launched in 2001, the franchise had already established itself as a cult favorite in the States. The revival introduced new characters while keeping the raw storytelling intact, ensuring that a new generation of American teens grew up with the show as well.
A Global Celebration
Together with shows like The Beachcombers and Schitt’s Creek, Degrassi stands as one of Canada’s most important cultural exports. But its impact was never limited to Canadian borders—it became a shared cultural experience for viewers around the world. Executive producer Carrie Mudd called it “a time capsule of growing up,” a sentiment that holds true whether you were watching from Toronto or tuning in from an American living room.
Degrassi: Whatever It Takes brings that legacy to TIFF, celebrating a franchise that has helped shape teen television for more than four decades.
You can watch the trailer for Degrassi: Whatever It Takes below.
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