Degrassi: Next Class
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
An edgier Degrassi for the digital age still has heart.
Add your rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Degrassi: Next Class
Community Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
An honest Degrassi review from a young adult.
What's the Story?
DEGRASSI: NEXT CLASS, an updated version of the popular Canadian Degrassi franchise, centers on a group of sophomores and juniors at the fictional Degrassi Community school located in Toronto, Ontario. Students such as Maya (Olivia Scriven), Tristan (Lyle Lettau), Miles (Eric Osborne), Zoe (Ana Golja), Grace (Nikki Gould), and others have returned to high school, along with new folks such as Esme Song (Chelsea Clark), Goldi Nahir (Soma Bhatia), and Vijay Maraj (Dante Scott). From broken hearts and running for student council to social media-related challenges such as cyberbullying, the Degrassi gang navigates their high school years one day at a time.
Is It Any Good?
This stylized teen soap offers all the traditional drama one comes to expect from the Degrassi gang, but it does so with a more contemporary flair. Most notable is the way each narrative incorporates the use of digital technology, social media, and episode hashtag titles. Though it's still committed to featuring an array of traditional topics teens may relate to, including sexuality, body-image issues, and dysfunctional family dynamics, it also incorporates topics that have become more culturally relevant, such as depression and catfishing.
This version is trendier than its predecessors (it's hard to keep up with Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl), and while some students are more wealthy than others, the majority come from a privileged background. But beyond this, the cast is extremely diverse, and the show still features lots of positive lessons to be learned. Fans of the early versions of the series may be interested in checking out Degrassi: Next Class to see how things have changed (or not) with this new class. But no doubt: This installment will garner a whole new generation of followers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about many of the issues that teens face in their lives. What are some of the difficult decisions they face, and how do they make those choices (and live with the consequences)? How do digital technology and social media affect the way we think about these things? Do you think Degrassi: Next Class offers an accurate representation of what teens go through every day?
What gives a TV series its longevity? Is it the characters? The story lines? What kinds of changes do the producers of this series have to make to make it relevant for a new generation of viewers?
How do the characters in Degrassi: Next Class demonstrate empathy and integrity? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 4, 2016
- Cast: Olivia Scriven , Lyle Lettau , Eric Osborne
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models , High School
- Character Strengths: Empathy , Integrity
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: March 10, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Best Sitcoms for Your Next Family Binge-Watch
Drama TV for Teens
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate