We hadn’t heard much about the Canadian network’s plans for Degrassi: Next Class, but all has finally been revealed! If you haven’t read my post recapping the official Degrassi trailer from Netflix, click here. F2N has now released another version with some alternate clips:
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There’s also an F2N network promo with more clips here.
UPDATE: F2N Also added a promo on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/-uM90Gk6yd/
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Canadian and U.S. viewers WILL be on different schedules:
CANADA: Family Channel announced its new teen block will be called F2N, and it’ll be anchored by new episodes of Degrassi: Next Class Mondays – Fridays starting January 4th at 9pm. They’re basically following the telenovela format for two weeks because they’re only airing the first 10 episodes (the final 10 will air at a later date).
U.S. and WORLDWIDE: The rest of us will receive ALL 20 EPISODES of Degrassi: Next Class on Friday, January 15th (the day F2N airs episode 10).
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They weren’t kidding around when they said this incarnation of Degrassi would be technology heavy, as you’ll see in the new opening credits sequence:
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Stefan Brogren, Ricardo Hoyos and Sara Waisglass were on BT Toronto this morning discussing what we can expect on Next Class. There’s an on-air broadcast as well as a separate livestream where they continue the discussion.
BT Toronto On Air
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NOTES
* Miles is caught doing something on video
*Simpson is back
STEFAN: “It’s a little bit more hardcore, more like the older Degrassi that we haven’t been able to do in the last couple years.” (The same sentiment about the show being more intense has been pushed by every Degrassian in every Next Class interview this year. Also, Stefan throwing some slight shade at the former networks who limited what Degrassi’s been able to do in recent seasons.)
BT LIVE STREAM
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NOTES
*Frankie’s going through a tough time, but will meet someone who will change her life romantically (every sign in the universe pointing to Jonah)
*Zig and Maya will butt heads over their future together
*Technology drives every plot
*The new networks have given Degrassi more leverage in their storytelling
*Episode 4 features a shocking Lola plot. “This feels like old school Degrassi.”
*Most interesting storyline? SARA: Miles has “some intense stuff he deals with.” STEFAN & RICARDO: Hunter. He discovers a group of friends in the Video Game Club, a group trying to find their place at Degrassi.
*NEW CHARACTERS: Vijay is fashion forward. Baaz is straightforward, but lacks the skills to ask girls out. Yael loves video games and isn’t interested in regular classes. Esme is Miles’ love interest.
*Simpson isn’t there for a storyline, he’s there as a catalyst for the other characters.
*One word to describe Degrassi Next Class….RICARDO: “Sexy.” SARA: “Explosive.” STEFAN: “Truth.”
DEGRASSI SNEAK PEEK
F2N has posted the first 6 minutes of Degrassi: Next Class’ premiere episode, which is titled #BootyCall (Yes, that is the name of the episode). While Canadian fans can watch the sneak peek on F2N’s new website, while the rest of us can watch the sneak peek here.
A basic summary of the sneak peek:
Shay is in grade 11 chemistry, and ends up connecting with Tiny (images via dylanevz)
However, Lola tells Shay that based on Tiny’s Hastygram account activity he’s only into girls with big butts. “You have the butt of a 4-year-old boy,” Lola says.
Tristan is running for student council president and isn’t happy that he’s running against Miles. (images via lil-livesy)
There’s also some Zaya action before Frankie, Vijay and group of students walk in on them (images via sansastoneheart)
Later, Maya receives a call from a club called The Trap Door, which asks her to audition for a gig. In the scene Zig is already annoyed because he and Maya only have one class together this semester, and while he never says it his face pretty much explains that he’s worried they’ll end up never seeing each other.
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Kary's Degrassi Blog 
Another thing that happened in the sneak peek: it all starts with Maya talking about her big plans (to become the next T-Swift or better, as seen in your gifs), but it starts with her saying “You know how Drake says ‘Started from the bottom now we here?'” and then she uses that to explain how the new school year can be a fresh start for everyone to choose what kind of person they want to be. I don’t quite remember how she makes that connection (since the clip got taken down,) but… thoughts? A clever reference? Too meta?
(Also I hate the episode title, but that’s a comment for another time.)
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Surprised none of the promotional material and clips have said anything about Frankie/Grace given how much they devoted the final movie to them getting together. Not that I was hugely invested in that somewhat random pairing, but surely they aren’t going to just drop it.
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Its Zoe/Grace haha. And I’m sure they’re just keeping mum on it. From the promo’s, they do interact at some point but apparently not on good terms.
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You mean Zoe and Grace? They’re in the promo.
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Oops I meant Zoe/Grace… damn that was a brain fart. lol
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I wish they advertised the show in a more dramatic way, it seems the exact same as when it was on teenick based on the promos. The only old Degrassi it reminds me of is season one which was REALLY cheesy. I feel they really should have went with some heavier topics. I still am hopeful though.
Also serious questions how do they expect new viewers to jump into a show with already established characters and backstories?
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They’re putting all the old seasons on YouTube. The first season is already up and the rest will be posted in the future.
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I was surprised too. They said they have more freedom to “go there” then they were allowed the last couple seasons. but that intro looked tamer than ever. Obviously can’t tell from that. But have not gotten the “it’s going to be edgier than ever” feel they seem to want us to get.
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I’m already sad DHX Media gave up the 1-12 intro. Really sad. I hope Degrassi: Next Class won’t start with #HastagEpisodeNames like Sam & Cat. So, Netflix is the only way to watch Degrassi? Because I don’t have it, but it’s okay. I’ll just look it up on the internet. Also, they FREAKING REMOVED THE JT YORKE MEMORIAL, that’s really disrespectful and sad.
Well, good luck #NextClass
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They removed the set piece. The memorial is still at the school but it just won’t get shown.
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LOL, too bad the episodes aren’t named after 90s songs anymore. #BootyCall would be “Baby Got Back”.
The Triles fans that write fanfiction are going to be absolutely BRUTAL to Esme.
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I kept looking at that Lola clip with her turning on the shower head, and since she doesn’t seem to be in the process of dying her hair, it seems pretty irrelevant to show such a mundane shot… Until you think about it. Note the interview that claims a “shocking,” “old-school Degrassi” episode featuring Lola. Also note that Lola has a conversation with her mom about being “normal.” It’s Clare and Alli in the bathroom with Jane all over again…
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It was mentioned there would be a storyline/s involving consent issues and I think Miles and Esme would be perfect for such a storyline.
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YES! It would be great to explore such a storyline with a male character. If not that, then I want to see a domestic abuse situation, which would also be a good plot for this couple. A storyline about a guy getting physically abused by a girlfriend is long overdue.
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The promo was kind of giving that kind of a vibe.
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