Degrassi fans have been celebrating the news that HBO Max has revived the series for a ten-episode run next summer. After the sudden ending of Degrassi: Next Class on Netflix, it’s been unclear what would happen to Degrassi as a whole. Much of the franchise was available on the official Degrassi YouTube channel, allowing fans to continue to rewatch their favorite moments from the franchise, but there had been no news of a new series for several years. With HBO Max picking up a series order, fans are excited to dive back into the world of Degrassi and everything it has to offer.

Julia Cohen and Lara Azzopardi are set to be the showrunners. Both wrote an episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation, “Heat of the Moment,” which debuted in 2009. Since then, they’ve gone on to write and create other young adult series, with Cohen working on Riverdale and The Royals, and Azzopardi creating Backstage and writing several episodes of The Bold Type.

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Not much is known about the plot or cast, though the series is set to begin filming this summer. All that’s been revealed about the plot is that it will feature students and school faculty, which is in keeping with previous Degrassi iterations, and that it will follow them “living in the shadow of events that both bind them together and tear them apart, as they struggle to find their new normal, reaching for hope, redemption and love.” Sounds like fans can expect everything they know and love about Degrassi to appear in the new series.

With HBO Max reviving the series, there are a few things we would like to or expect to see because of Degrassi’s history. From covering current issues to seeing a certain cast member return, here’s what we want to see in the revival.

Current Teen and World Issues

     Netflix

Degrassi has always been known for how it covers current issues impacting teenagers. Even though many of these issues have been reoccurring themes over Degrassi’s run, such as teen pregnancy or illegal substance use, Degrassi always manages to find a new angle to cover them, showing a new experience rooted in the characters they’ve created and representing the then-popular attitude towards the situation in question. Though many would argue the only issues the series covers are those that are more risqué in nature, it also covered more “vanilla” teen issues like deciding where to go to college, getting bad grades, and arguing with their parents.

In recent years, Degrassi has even branched out to cover world issues. In Degrassi: Next Class, the show weaved in storylines about Syrian refugees and the Syrian civil war. Several refugees became students at the school and continued on as key players in main storylines. Activism as a whole was explored more with Next Class as well, with students protesting a suspension they believe was racially motivated. Protests had happened previously in Degrassi, particularly regarding the school dress code, but the protest in Next Class was one of the first times a student’s activism transcended teen problems into broader social issues. It would be great if HBO Max’s revival maintains that energy and activism in the series, as it is reflective of teenagers today.

Former Student Cameos

     Entertainment One

There have been a number of cameos from former Degrassi students throughout the series. The cast has had unofficial reunions before, and many alumni have appeared on the show in some capacity. Fan-favorite characters like Liberty Van Zandt (Sarah Barrable-Tishauer), Marco Del Rossi (Adamo Ruggiero), and Spinner Mason (Shane Kippel), among others, made appearances in Degrassi: Next Class. Alumni have reacted positively to the revival news, with many cast members, even one from Next Class, saying they’d be down to make appearances. We’re hoping HBO Max takes them up on that offer.

Stefan Brogren

     CBC Television

It isn’t Degrassi without Stefan Brogren. He was on Degrassi Junior High in the 1980s, then Degrassi High in the 1990s as Archie “Snake” Simpson. When Degrassi: The Next Generation started in 2001, Brogren was back as a teacher and eventually the principal and as a producer. He even began directing episodes of the show. When Netflix picked up Degrassi with Degrassi: Next Class, Brogren returned, continuing in his role as Principal Simpson, show producer, and director. He is also the person that confirmed Next Class’ cancelation.

Though it doesn’t sound like Brogren will be coming back as a producer, it would be great to have Brogren return in his role as Principal Simpson. Part of what makes Degrassi unique is the continuity of characters and ideas over time. Though Degrassi: Next Class was on a different television service, it picked up where Degrassi: The Next Generation (then known as Degrassi) left off. This isn’t as possible with HBO Max’s series, mostly because the students Next Class left off with would be graduated by now. This means that one of the few characters HBO Max could bring back for continuity is Principal Simpson.

We’d love to see HBO Max continue the Degrassi torch by including these elements in the revival.