TL;DR
- Doc & Trailer: WildBrain and Peacock Alley released the trailer for Degrassi: Whatever It Takes, a documentary chronicling the Canadian teen drama’s 40-year legacy, now premiering at TIFF on September 13, 2025.
- Cast & Creators: Features appearances and interviews with Drake, Shenae Grimes-Beech, Amanda Stepto, Stefan Brogren, Miriam McDonald, and more, plus creators Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn and superfans like Kevin Smith.
- Themes Explored: Celebrates the series’ fearless storytelling tackling teen pregnancy, mental health, abuse, and more, while revealing the behind-the-scenes impact on its cast.
- Premiere: The documentary makes its world debut as a TIFF 50 Official Selection on September 13, 2025, in Toronto.
The iconic Canadian teen drama franchise Degrassi gets the documentary spotlight in Degrassi: Whatever It Takes. Directed by Lisa Rideout and produced by WildBrain and Peacock Alley Entertainment, the official trailer dropped today ahead of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, 2025.
The trailer opens with Drake candidly discussing his casting: “I didn’t have a great time in high school. I just didn’t really fit in,” reflecting on his role as Jimmy Brooks. Other alumni such as Shenae Grimes-Beech, Amanda Stepto, Stefan Brogren, and Miriam McDonald reveal how the show shaped their lives.
Creator Linda Schuyler acknowledges the series’ imperfections and intentions, stating, “Have we always gotten it right? Probably not. Have we told our stories with the best of intentions? Yes, we have.” Fan and filmmaker Joshua Jackson also pushes back on teen‑drama comparisons: “They don’t know that the big granddaddy is Degrassi.”
What the Documentary Covers
From its roots in Kids of Degrassi Street (1979) to Next Class (2016–2017), the series broke new ground portraying real adolescent struggles—from teen pregnancy to mental health issues.
The doc explores the personal toll it took on cast members, balanced with recognition of its cultural reach. Superfan Kevin Smith adds his perspective alongside creators Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn.
Producer Carrie Mudd underscores the show’s enduring impact: “Degrassi is more than a TV show — it’s a time capsule of growing up… nothing then, or now, has captured the teenage experience… in a more raw, authentic or unfiltered way.”
TIFF Premiere & Expectations
- World Premiere: Degrassi: Whatever It Takes opens at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, 2025, as part of TIFF’s 50th anniversary programming.
- Festival Positioning: The film positions itself as both a celebration and a candid look at what it took to produce Degrassi—for cast, creators, and fans alike.
Degrassi: Whatever It Takes isn’t just a documentary—it’s a testament to a cultural phenomenon. By blending nostalgia, introspection, and raw honesty, it offers both long-time fans and curious newcomers a profound look at what Degrassi truly meant—and still means—to television and youth culture.
