Producers of the new 'Degrassi' TV series say its future is on hold after HBO Max pulled out of the project.HO/The Canadian Press
Warner Bros. Discovery has let staff go and slashed budgets this year. Now the global media and entertainment conglomerate is cutting classes.
It has been confirmed that a previously announced revival of the beloved Canadian teen drama Degrassi will not be premiering on streaming service HBO Max as planned. Halifax-based WildBrain Ltd., which owns the Degrassi franchise, had previously announced that production on the series had paused, and that discussions concerning the contract with WarnerMedia were continuing.
In January, months before the merger between Discovery and WarnerMedia became final, WildBrain licensed the Degrassi library to HBO Max and entered into a contract to produce a new series. Shooting for the 10 hour-long episodes was supposed to begin in Toronto this past summer, to air in 2023.
While the reboot is in limbo, the existing 14-season Degrassi package, comprised of multiple series, will continue to stream on the HBO Max platform.
The scuttled new Degrassi is another setback for Warner, which previously scrapped high-profile projects Batgirl and the science-fiction drama Demimonde, both set for HBO Max. Sesame Workshop’s Charlotte’s Web will also not be moving forward.
Upon news of the Degrassi cancellation, fans predictably reacted with disappointment across social media platforms. In response, WildBrain released a statement saying: “WildBrain greatly appreciates the devotion and patience of Degrassi fans. Degrassi remains enormously popular around the world and, as owners of the franchise, WildBrain is committed to the future of Degrassi.”
Created in 1979 by Kit Hood and Linda Schuyler, the Toronto-set teen drama is appreciated for confronting social issues related to the adolescent experience. The franchise spans several television series: The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, Degrassi: The Next Generation and Degrassi: Next Class.
Before he became internationally known as the mono-named rap superstar Drake, Aubrey Graham starred in Degrassi: The Next Generation as fictional basketball phenom Jimmy Brooks.
Plan your screen time with the weekly What to Watch newsletter. Sign up today.
Brad Wheeler