Degrassi: Whatever It Takes Trailer Finds Drake, Kevin Smith, and More Looking Back On The Iconic Canadian Franchise

Degrassi isn’t just a teen drama. It’s been a rite of passage for generations of young viewers. With its real and raw storytelling, it truly went there. Now we’re finally getting the truth of what went on behind-the-scenes of the defining franchise in the documentary Degrassi: Whatever It Takes.

Degrassi: Whatever It Takes explores the show’s lasting legacy through interviews with creator Linda Schuyler, executive producer Stephen Stohn, superfans like filmmaker Kevin Smith, and cast members from the Degrassi universe, including Aubrey Drake Graham, Miriam McDonald, Shenae Grimes-Beech, Jake Epstein, Shane Kippel, Melinda Shankar, Jordan Todosey, Stefan Brogren, Stacie Mistysyn, Amanda Stepto, Dayo Ade, and Amanda and Maureen Deiseach.

With an over 40 year impact, Degrassi became known for tackling authentic and challenging stories, from racism to teen pregnancy and beyond, making a lasting impression on TV history. “Degrassi changed the landscape of television with real, unvarnished storytelling and did it unapologetically from a teenage perspective. I was inspired by how fearless the series was in tackling issues that others wouldn’t touch,” said director Lisa Rideout. “This documentary celebrates the iconic Canadian franchise while revealing the impact it had on the people who made it and the audiences who loved it.”

“Degrassi is more than a TV show — it’s a time capsule of growing up, full of heart, honesty and every ‘first’ experience you can think of. Nothing then, or now, has captured the teenage experience in a more raw, authentic or unfiltered way,” Carrie Mudd, executive producer for Peacock Alley, said. “Degrassi is one of Canada’s biggest cultural exports, which helped shape four decades of TV and touched multiple generations of kids around the world. Telling its story felt like honouring a piece of the Canadian identity.”

Degrassi: Whatever It Takes makes its world premiere on September 13 at the Toronto International Film Festival. In the meantime, watch out interview with Jake Epstein taking a look back at 20 years of Degrassi: The Next Generation.