Degrassi Latest News, Photos, and Videos

Degrassi: The Next Generation actor Jahmil French as sadly passed away.

The actor was only 29 years old when he died, reportedly on Monday (March 1). No cause of death has been revealed at this time.

“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of a dear friend and client Jahmil French,” his manager Gabrielle Kachman confirmed in a statement, via CNN. “He will be remembered by many for his passion for the arts, his commitment to his craft, and his vibrant personality. I ask that you keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.”

Many of his co-stars have shared their condolences on social media, and Degrassi: The Next Generation co-creator Linda Schuyler just shared a statement on the Degrassi Twitter account.

“I am heartbroken to hear about the loss of Jahmil. Jahmil was an extraordinary talent and a bright light on and off the screen. He was a joy to work with on Degrassi: The Next Generation,” Linda said. “He brought an authenticity and burst of life to every scene he was in and infused his character ‘Dave’ with an airy lightness. Off screen Jahmil would always make me smile. He will be deeply missed.”

Our condolences go out to Jahmil French‘s friends and family during this time.

Season 4 of Degrassi: Next Class saw a number of the lead characters graduating, and one of the hardest to say goodbye to will be Zoe Rivas (played by Ana Golja), the ambitious, bold student who struggled with her sexuality for much of the series.

Actress Ana, 21, took to Instagram yesterday to say goodbye to the character she has become so attached to, and to thank fans for believing in her.

“What an honor and whirlwind it was to play Zoe Rivas in Degrassi and Degrassi Next Class,” she writes, “I’m so deeply saddened to be saying goodbye to one of my favourite characters and my 2nd family. However, what will live on in my heart forever, is the impact Zoe (and the show) made on the lives of many people around the world (including my own).”

She goes on to thank both the cast members, the crew, and her fans.

“I’m so incredibly grateful to the entire creative and executive team for allowing me to portray Zoe,” she continues, “You truly challenged me as an actress and I am eternally thankful. I also want to thank my wonderful cast mates for making my job so ridiculously easy and fun. Can’t wait to see what you all do next! Lastly, I would like to thank our INCREDIBLE fans for watching and supporting us, every step of the way. Without you, there would be no Degrassi. As a tribute to Zoe, ‘Au Revoir, B!****s!’ ;)”

In her Instagram caption she continues: “Thank you to the whole @degrassi nation. It’s been an incredible 6 seasons. ?? Excited for what this new chapter of my career has in store…”

*sniffs* We’re not crying. If you haven’t seen the new season yet, watch the trailer here.

Read her full message inside… More Here! »

The fourth season of Degrassi: Next Class delves into many issues the show hasn’t grappled with before, from gender fluidity to the Syrian refugee crisis to terrorism.

In a new interview, executive producer Stephen Stohn opens up about how Degrassi portrays the Muslim refugee characters, Saad Al’Maliki (Parham Rownaghi) and Goldi Nahir (Soma Bhatia). In the new season, Goldi has her hijab ripped off by people on the street, and Saad is accused of being a terrorist by his peers.

“We felt it was very important that we at least try to tackle [the Syrian refugee crisis],” Stephen told Entertainment Weekly, “in as open a way as possible and not sugarcoat it, but to show characters themselves going through conflicting times and those around them reacting in different ways.”

He also talks about the need to show storylines of Muslim characters right now.

“We’ve seen it in Canada and the U.S. and Britain where people are attacking people it’s easy to be afraid of because of their color or their religion,” he said, “That’s not right.”

The new season definitely covers important and timely topics. It is available to stream on Netflix now.

Degrassi: Next Class has a history of grappling with real-world, serious topics as they apply to today’s teens, from crippling depression to sexuality to drug addiction.

Season four, which debuts on Netflix July 7, is no different, and in a new clip, it deals with an entirely new topic for the show.

In a new Entertainment Weekly clip, Yael (Jamie Bloch) tells Lola (Amanda Arcuri) that they have been feeling like they don’t identify as a girl or a boy.

“I don’t feel like a girl, or what everyone thinks is a girl,” Yael explains, “I don’t like makeup or stuff like you do. I really, really hate my boobs… But I’m definitely not a boy either.”

Lola responds in a totally positive way, encouraging her friend to consider the concept of genderfluidity, and showing Yael a gender queer vlogger as an example.

“They feel like they’re between a boy or girl. Or both. Or neither,” explains Lola. “If being a boy or girl is made up, then you can make whatever you want.”

It’s amazing to see Degrassi exploring a topic that many of its viewers may be dealing with, and we can’t wait to see how Yael explores their identity this season.

Watch the clip below.

Netflix dropped the dramatic season 4 trailer for Degrassi: Next Class last week and we are literally counting down the days until it premieres!

Fortunately, now we have a day to count down to: TVLine reports that the next season will come to our TVs on Friday, July 7. That’s right, the new season drops on Netflix in exactly one week!

The fourth season will tackle everything from love triangles (as usual) to the treatment of Muslim students, which is super topical and important for our country right now.

Watch the trailer below and get excited!

Graduation is looming in this first look trailer for the upcoming fourth season of Degrassi: Next Class!

In case you’re unfamiliar with the Netflix series, it tackles the real-life issues of high school students, focusing on a group of teens as they begin their journey into adulthood.

In the trailer, we see topical issues take form in the storylines, including a powerful one about the treatment of Muslim students.

Plus, there’s plenty of love triangle drama too. Watch below!

Degrassi: Next Class season four doesn’t have a premiere date yet, but stay tuned for more information!

In season 3, Degrassi‘s Lola Pancini (played by Amanda Arcuri) tries out a blue, we mean, new, hair color.

As much as we love to see her rock a bright new color, we do miss the classic pink, because she wore it so well! This post is a tribute to Lola’s fluorescent, gorgeous, bubble-gum hair that makes us wonder every time we see it: Could we pull that off?

Degrassi season 3 is available on Netflix now. Here are some of the (tbh endless) times Lola made pink the new black:

Click inside & you’ll be calling your hairdresser ASAP:
More Here! »