BURBANK, Calif. and TORONTO – WarnerMedia Kids and Family announced today it has greenlit the new series Degrassi, which is based on WildBrain’s youth franchise with the same name.
Degrassi will consist of 10, hour-long episodes. It is expected to launch in 2023, exclusively in the U.S. on HBO Max, according to a press release. HBO Max also acquired the U.S. rights for the 14-season library of Degrassi: The Next Generation, which will be available this spring on the platform.
The new series will be available on Cartoon Network at a later date. Filming will begin in Toronto this year in the summer.
“A reprise of the original teen drama, Degrassi is a character-driven series about the high school experience and the thrilling, often painful journey of self-discovery. Set in Toronto, the new series explores a group of teenagers and school faculty living in the shadow of events that both bind them together and tear them apart. The show travels deep into the hearts and homes of diverse, complicated characters, as they struggle to find their new normal, reaching for hope, redemption and love,” a synopsis in the press release reads.
Lara Azzopardi (Backstage, The Bold Type, Mary Kills People) and Julia Cohen (Riverdale, A Million Little Things, The Royals) are the showrunners for Degrassi. The new series will be produced by WildBrain Studios and will be developed by Azzopardi and Cohen, who are also executive producers.
“What excites us maybe the most about reviving this beloved franchise is turning it into a truly serialized one-hour drama. We’re honored to be given the opportunity to lead this evolution and bring this iconic series back into people’s homes,” said Azzopardi and Cohen, in the press release.
“Series after series, the Degrassi franchise continues to make an indelible impact on young viewers looking for trustworthy and authentic storytelling,” said Amy Friedman, head of kids and family programming at Warner Bros. “WildBrain continues to artfully capture high school life in a compelling format that can be experienced seamlessly on HBO Max.”
Josh Scherba, president of WildBrain, added: “Now in its fourth decade, Degrassi is one of those beloved evergreen properties that demands to be refreshed for each new generation.”
Wildbrain chief content officer Stephanie Betts, along with Azzopardi and Cohen “have envisioned an evolution for Degrassi that, while staying true to the fundamental honesty, humanity and integrity of the brand, promises fans a journey into exciting new territory, both creatively and dramatically,” he said.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with HBO Max to deliver this new vision to fans and extend Degrassi’s legacy.”
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Image supplied by Wildbrain.
