For newcomers eager to dive into the world of Degrassi, the sheer volume of episodes can be intimidating. With a franchise spanning decades and multiple series, knowing where to begin your Degrassi journey is a common question. Do you jump right into the latest seasons to catch up with current storylines? Or should you start from the very beginning to understand the rich history and character development? Navigating this extensive series can feel overwhelming, but this guide is designed to help you find the ideal entry point to the Degrassi universe.
Here, we break down several potential starting points within the Degrassi franchise. Each option comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, allowing you to choose the path that best suits your viewing preferences and interests. Let’s explore the different eras of Degrassi and help you decide where to press play.
Degrassi Junior High – Season 1: The Nostalgic Origin
Series Overview: Degrassi Junior High (DJH) takes us back to the 1980s, offering a glimpse into the lives of middle school students navigating typical adolescent issues of the time. While it might appear dated with its 80s aesthetics and sometimes melodramatic acting, DJH holds a nostalgic charm for long-time fans. Crucially, Degrassi Junior High introduces characters like Spike and Snake Simpson, whose legacies profoundly impact the later Degrassi series. Christine “Spike” Nelson’s teenage pregnancy and subsequent daughter, Emma, become central figures in Degrassi: The Next Generation, essentially making Spike and Emma the foundational links to the modern Degrassi we know today. Archie “Snake” Simpson evolves from a student into a long-standing figure in the Degrassi universe, eventually becoming the school’s principal.
Why Start Here? Starting with Degrassi Junior High is purely for those driven by curiosity about the absolute origins of Degrassi. It’s not essential viewing to understand the later series. The narratives and character connections that carry over to Degrassi: The Next Generation are thoroughly explained, ensuring you won’t be lost if you skip DJH. Begin here if you’re fascinated by the complete Degrassi family tree and want to witness the very first storylines and character introductions.
Why Skip It? Degrassi Junior High is very much a product of the 1980s. Its production values, fashion, and social issues reflect that era. For viewers seeking a more contemporary feel, DJH might feel too dated. Furthermore, its focus is squarely on middle school issues, which can be less engaging for audiences looking for the more mature themes explored in later Degrassi iterations. If you’re primarily interested in the more recent Degrassi series, starting with DJH might feel like an unnecessary detour.
Alt text: The cast of Degrassi Junior High season 1, showcasing 1980s teen fashion and hairstyles, promoting the original Degrassi series.
Degrassi: The Next Generation – Season 1: The Iconic Reboot
Series Overview: Degrassi: The Next Generation (TNG) launched as a groundbreaking reboot, directly following the “next generation” of Degrassi students. Emma Nelson, Spike’s daughter introduced in DJH, begins 7th grade, leading a fresh ensemble cast of classmates and older 8th graders. This reboot resonated deeply with audiences, becoming a cultural phenomenon and extending the Degrassi legacy for many more years.
Why Start Here? Season 1 of Degrassi: The Next Generation is arguably the most recommended starting point for a reason. It masterfully introduces a cast of characters who would become iconic faces of the franchise: Emma, Manny, Liberty, JT, Paige, Spinner, and Sean. While the early seasons of TNG retain a touch of early 2000s cheesiness, they possess an undeniable charm and lay the groundwork for the complex storylines to come. These original TNG characters are fan favorites and represent what many consider the “golden age” of Degrassi. Starting here ensures you witness the foundational character development and key relationships that shape the entire series. Furthermore, choosing a later starting point means potentially missing out on this beloved era of Degrassi.
Why Skip It? The sheer number of seasons in Degrassi: The Next Generation can still appear daunting. Starting at Season 1 means committing to potentially hundreds of episodes to reach the later seasons. Additionally, the first seasons of TNG are presented in standard definition and feature technology that now feels outdated. The initial season also focuses on relatively lighter, introductory storylines, and doesn’t immediately delve into the heavier, issue-driven narratives that Degrassi becomes known for in later seasons. If you’re looking for high-definition viewing and immediate dramatic storylines, the initial seasons might take a little patience to get through.
Alt text: Emma Nelson, Manny Santos, and Paige Michalchuk, central characters in Degrassi: The Next Generation season 1, standing in a Degrassi Community School hallway.
Degrassi: The Next Generation – Season 8: A Transition Point
Series Overview: Season 8 of Degrassi: The Next Generation marks a significant transition. The original Season 1 characters, like Emma and Manny, graduate at the end of Season 7. Season 8 focuses on characters introduced in Season 7, some of whom become fan favorites like Jane, and others who remain crucial until Season 11, such as Holly J, Anya, and Sav. This season also introduces a new class of grade nines, often referred to as the “Niners”: Clare, KC, Alli, and Connor. These “Niners” become central figures in the later seasons of Degrassi.
Why Start Here? The introduction of the Niners—Clare, KC, Alli, and Connor—is a compelling reason to consider Season 8 as a starting point. These characters play significant roles throughout the subsequent seasons, culminating in their graduation in Season 14. Understanding their initial storylines and character introductions in Season 8 provides valuable context for their later arcs. If you’re keen on jumping closer to the later Degrassi seasons but still want to witness the origins of some key characters, Season 8 could be a viable option.
Why Skip It? Starting at Season 8 means entering the series mid-story for many existing characters, particularly the graduating class storylines that carry over from Season 7. While you can still grasp the main plot points, you’ll miss the years of development and emotional investment built with characters like Jane prior to Season 8. Furthermore, Season 8 is often considered a weaker season by many Degrassi fans. It’s sometimes criticized for its pacing and less engaging storylines compared to earlier and later seasons. Starting with a less favored season might not provide the strongest first impression of Degrassi.
Alt text: Holly J. Sinclair and Jane Vaughn, prominent characters in Degrassi: The Next Generation season 8, engaged in a conversation in a school setting.
Degrassi – Season 10: A Soft Reboot and Fresh Start
Series Overview: With Season 10, the series officially drops “The Next Generation” from its title, signaling a clear shift. All remaining original TNG characters, except for a few adult characters, depart the show. Degrassi Season 10 essentially functions as a soft reboot, introducing a fresh wave of new characters and adopting a slightly updated format and tone. This season marks the arrival of characters who quickly became fan favorites and integral to the later Degrassi narrative.
Why Start Here? Season 10 is strategically designed to be accessible to new viewers. The series intentionally creates a jumping-on point, recognizing the need to refresh the cast and storylines. While characters introduced before Season 10 have some established history, it’s not overwhelmingly complex to catch up on. Season 10 launches the character arcs of many beloved figures and is often praised as one of the strongest seasons in the post-TNG era. If you prefer a more modern Degrassi feel and want to quickly connect with a new generation of characters, Season 10 is an excellent choice.
Why Skip It? Even though Season 10 is designed as a starting point, you’re still entering after the widely acclaimed “golden age” of Degrassi: The Next Generation. While not as dramatically as starting in Season 8, you’ll still be joining some characters’ storylines as they progress into their senior year, missing their earlier development. If you become deeply invested in the characters introduced in Season 10, you might find yourself wishing you had witnessed their earlier years on the show.
Alt text: Fiona Coyne and Declan Coyne, key characters in Degrassi season 10, posing for a promotional photo, highlighting the season’s new cast members.
Degrassi – Season 11B (Episode “Underneath It All”): The Launch of the Final Generation
Series Overview: In a departure from typical season structure, Degrassi Season 11 sees the senior class graduate mid-season. Episode “Underneath It All” marks the start of a new school year and introduces another wave of grade nines. This group includes Zig, Maya, and Tristan, who become central figures and essentially represent the final core generation of the Degrassi series that extends into Season 14 and Degrassi: Next Class.
Why Start Here? If your primary goal is to quickly become familiar with the characters who dominate the later Degrassi seasons and Degrassi: Next Class, starting at Season 11B is a very direct route. Maya, Zig, and Tristan’s generation becomes the central focus as the series progresses. By Season 15 (Degrassi: Next Class), virtually no characters introduced before Season 11B remain, aside from adult staff. If you’re aiming to be “caught up enough” to understand the final iterations of Degrassi, this is a strategically efficient starting point.
Why Skip It? Starting mid-season at 11B can be jarring. You’re immediately thrown into ongoing storylines of the older characters, many of whom have extensive histories you’ll be unfamiliar with. While the new grade nines are introduced, they don’t immediately take center stage. The initial episodes of 11B still heavily feature the graduating class, whose storylines will be difficult to follow without prior context. Furthermore, Seasons 13 and 14 of Degrassi are often considered weaker by fans. Starting at 11B means you only experience a relatively short run of highly regarded Degrassi content before potentially encountering seasons that are less favorably reviewed.
Alt text: Maya Matlin, Zig Novak, and Tristan Milligan, the main characters debuting in Degrassi season 11B, posing together to represent the show’s newest generation.
Choose Your Degrassi Adventure!
Ultimately, the best place to start your Degrassi journey depends on your personal preferences. Whether you’re drawn to the nostalgic origins of Degrassi Junior High, the iconic characters of Degrassi: The Next Generation Season 1, or want a quicker entry point into the later seasons, Degrassi offers multiple pathways for new viewers. Explore these options, consider what appeals most to you, and get ready to become immersed in the compelling world of Degrassi!
(Source: dair-you-to-love-me)
