If You're A Degrassi Expert, You WILL Score 100%

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In the world of teen dramas, high schoolers are often played by immaculately coiffed and well-dressed 25 year-olds. Characters live glamorous lives and face unusually grown up problems. The Degrassi franchise has avoided many of these tendencies since its early days in the 1980s. For one thing, the show's cast are roughly the age of the characters they play, which means you actually see the occasionally awkward process of characters growing into adulthood onscreen. Also, storylines in Degrassi tend to be focused on hot-button issues including things like STDs, pregnancy, mental health, racism, homophobia, and addiction among many others. There's still plenty of love triangles if you're watching for the more soap opera-inspired elements, but the show's goal has always been to explore real teenage issues in a frank but entertaining way.

To some, the show's earnest nature, combined with its relatively low budget and Canadian sensibilities, give it a slightly corny charm that glossier American shows don't deliver. The modern iteration of the show has been running continuously since 2001. Since then it has gone by a few different titles, but the core show remained the same. In these 16 years, dozens of characters have come and gone, with some remaining on the show for upwards of eight seasons. This quiz is by no means a comprehensive look at every student to have ever walked the halls of Degrassi, instead it offers a general overview of a few of the more memorable characters from the past and the present.

Question 1

Another actor with a very successful post-Degrassi career

She's just your average high school student trying to juggle relationships, school, motherhood and a successful modeling career. Okay, maybe not average in the real world, but by Degrassi standards that description barely raises any eyebrows. Besides being the first teen mother in Degrassi: The Next Generation, the character is known for being played by Nina Dobrev, one of the biggest stars to come out of Degrassi. She was introduced in season 6 and abruptly left the show during season 9 as the character moved to Paris to further her modelling career.

Question 2

Couldn't not include Drake's character

Yeah, this is probably the first character that comes to mind when many people hear the word Degrassi, especially if they've never seen the show. Before he was a rap superstar, Drake (or Aubrey Graham, as he used to be known) played this character on Degrassi: The Next Generation from 2001 to 2008. In earlier seasons, he was a confident, smart student with a passion for basketball. His life changed quite suddenly when he was the victim of a school shooting and lost the ability to walk. What was his name?

Question 3

Darcy's younger sister

This character has appeared in more episodes of the show than almost anyone else. She made her initial appearances on the show in a supporting role to her sister Darcy. In season 8, she joined the show's main cast and began attending Degrassi. Her conservative Christian upbringing made Degrassi a somewhat difficult place for her to adjust to. However, she quickly discovers a different side of herself and develops a passion for writing and journalism. After a harrowing few years which included a cancer diagnosis and an unwanted pregnancy, she graduated in season 14.

Question 4

Former queen bee

Like many Degrassi characters, she was the younger sibling of an already existing character. The interesting thing about this particular character's older sister is that she never actually appeared on the show. Instead she was an unseen but often-discussed character who was feared for her ruthless insults and vindictive personality. This character initially carried on the family tradition when she was introduced in season 7. Eventually, like many of the show's less likable characters, she mellowed out considerably and become a kind and compassionate friend.

Question 5

The guy who kept hanging around

The students introduced at the beginning of The Next Generation had all graduated by the end of the show's seventh season. This guy was one of them, but unlike most of his peers, who made only occasional post-graduation appearances, he remained a prominent character on the show through seasons 8 and 9. This was justified by the fact that he worked at the cafe right next to the school and was dating Jane, still a student at the time. Though his name is actually Gavin Mason, he went by this nickname:

Question 6

Straight to the principal's office!

Mr. Simpson is the longest-running character in Degrassi history. He was a main cast member on Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High in the 1980s. In The Next Generation he appeared again as a teacher at Degrassi. He eventually was promoted the position of principal and became the step father of Emma Nelson, one of the show's lead characters. He still appears on the show, but his role has been reduced somewhat over the years. His name is Archie Simpson, but he is known to his friends by this high school nickname:

Question 7

Sav's younger sister

This character was in the grade that graduated at the end of season 14. She was introduced as a freshman at the beginning of season 8. Her older brother Sav had been a character on the show for several years before her. Early on, her story lines were focused on juggling her parents' traditional values and her identity at school as a glamorous and free spirited young woman. She later went on to have several rocky relationships over the next few years.

Question 8

The high achiever

Part of the original cast of The Next Generation, this character was originally characterized as an eager and persistent overachiever. Many of her earlier storylines were focused on her frustrations around her long-unrequited crush on one of her classmates (whom I won't name here since he's also in this quiz). Eventually though, he also developed feelings for her and they began a long-term relationship. During this time, she unexpectedly became pregnant, which caused fractures in their relationship. After much consideration, she decided to put the baby up for adoption.

Question 9

The show's latest leading lady

Despite the show's large ensemble cast, each era of Degrassi since The Next Generation's premiere has had a sort of unofficial lead character. The latest cohort of students to graduate from the show was led by this character. Initially a sheltered and wide-eyed band geek, she was put through a series of traumatic experiences during her time at Degrassi. This included her boyfriend's suicide and a suicide attempt of her own. She graduated in the finale of the latest season of Degrassi: Next Class.

Question 10

Gone before his time

He was one of Degrassi's most popular characters in his day and remains the source of much lively discussion among fans. A transgender boy, he represented Degrassi's first serious engagement with with trans issues. He appeared on the show from seasons ten to thirteen. His early storylines involved his struggles to have his friends, the school and his family accept his gender identity while his later episodes focused on his romantic relationship with Becky, a girl from a conservative Christian background. In a very controversial episode, he died in a texting and driving accident.

Question 11

The mayor's son

This guy is quite difficult to pin down. On the one hand, he's a happy-go-lucky rich kid with a winning smile and a clean-cut look and on the other he's a tormented and spiteful manipulator. It's hard to which of these two personalities is more "real", since both seem to manifest themselves quite often. He is the first character in Degrassi to explicitly identify as bisexual, although several previous characters were strongly implied to be bi. He is known for his on-again off-again relationship with Tristan.

Question 12

Won't you come out?

Although this character was part of the same grade as season 1 Next Generation characters like Jimmy and Paige, he wasn't introduced until season 2. Most of his early stories focused around him coming to terms with his sexuality and eventually coming out as gay to the people around him. His of the biggest obstacles in doing this, was his very traditional Italian father, who initially refused to even acknowledge his coming out. Later on, after he became more comfortable in his sexuality, his storylines began to focus more on his friendship with Ellie and Paige.

Question 13

Another character from the 80s

This character, who appeared in the Degrassi's 80s and 90s incarnations as well as The Next Generation was by far the most popular and recognizable character of his day. His care-free, boastful nature and his romance with his more ambitious and serious-minded classmate Caitlin would serve as a prototype for many later Degrassi characters and pairings. In the Next Generation, he's a grieving widower and single father. He decides to adopt his stepson Craig Manning in season two after he learns that he is being abused by his father.

Question 14

The sunny optimist

She might not have the best advice, but she's always willing to offer it. This character might seem like a stereotypical ditz at first glance but like many Degrassi characters, there's more to her than meets the eye. She works at her family's restaurant and has gotten many of her classmates hired there. While Tristan was in coma, she had a secret relationship with Miles which resulted in her getting an abortion, something she's kept secret from almost everybody. Her hair color changes every season.

Question 15

Brief but memorable

Although the character from the previous question was with Maya for a much longer time, this character arguably had a more important impact on her storyline. He appeared on the show for less than one season, but is very well-remembered by fans of the show. He came to Degrassi to play for their hockey team. Though he excelled at the sport, he did not enjoy it or the team's culture. He dated Maya for a few weeks before his suicide. Despite a few warning signs, his death was a shock to nearly everybody at Degrassi.

Question 16

Nothing too terrible happens to him

This guy was introduced in season 13 alongside his friend Miles. Unlike most Degrassi characters, he manages to avoid having any serious misfortune befall him. A fun and casual guy, he often provides a bit of levity in serious situations. However, his jokes can also lead to him putting his foot in his mouth. He briefly dated Zoe Rivas until she came out as gay. In season 4 of Next Class, he and Goldie began dating shortly before their graduation.

Question 17

The mysterious brooding type

If any character in Degrassi has ever fit the "sensitive bad boy" stereotype it's this guy. For a while, he even drove a hearse for crying out loud! He's mostly known for his long-term and often turbulent romance with Clare. He appeared on the show from season 10 to season 14. Like many of the show's "edgy" characters, his fashion sense and general demeanor mellowed down significantly as the show progressed. Besides his love life, many of his storylines focused on his passion for film and theater and his struggles with bipolar disorder.

Question 18

His exit from the show cut like a knife

This character is most well-known for his unexpected death in season 6 of The Next Generation. He was stabbed in a wanton act of violence perpetrated as part of a school rivalry. His death was made particularly shocking by the fact that earlier on in the show, the character served as the lighthearted comedy relief, mostly free from the darker and more grown-up stories. By the time of his death though, he had struggled with his girlfriend Liberty's unexpected pregnancy and nearly overdosed on pills.

Question 19

The bad influence

This character was introduced in the first season of Next Class (or the 15th season of Degrassi, depending on how you count the seasons) as the devil on Miles' shoulder so to speak. She introduces him to mood-altering pills and encourages him to do other reckless thrill-seeking things. Miles soon decides to cut her out of his life. Despite her rather villainous role on the show, the revelation of her backstory which involves her mother's suicide and her emotionally abusive father went a long way towards fleshing out her character.

Question 20

His actual first name is Deon

This guy is one of the most well-liked students at Degrassi. He gets along with everybody, something that's hard to do at Degrassi, where it seems everybody has an enemy or two. His earlier appearances saw him dealing with the consequences of his gang leader older brother's arrest. In more recent years, his storylines have been more focused on his nearly back-to-back relationships with two best friends Lola and Shay. Though he dated Lola first, he and Shay had developed crushes on each other much earlier. Like many characters, he is almost exclusively known by his nickname. What is it?

Question 21

The Hollingsworth twins

These characters are the younger siblings of Miles Hollingsworth. Putting them in the same question together may be a little odd since they mostly have very distinct storylines. The brother is an avid gamer who struggles with deep-seated anger issues and violent tendencies. He even brought a gun to school on one occasion (though he didn't end up brandishing it). The sister on the other hand, deals with rather less dramatic problems. She has tendency to overthink things and make misguided decisions which often affect her romantic relationships and her relationship with her friends..

Question 22

Cool and casual

One of the most recently introduced characters, she came to Degrassi (and Canada) as a refugee from the Syrian Civil War. She stays with Goldi and her family. Though her and Goldi generally get along, there was initially some tension between them arising from their differing interpretations of Islam. Goldi, a more conservative Muslim woman, initially felt that this character was sinning for being a lesbian, although she eventually changed her mind and apologized. She has been dating Zoe Rivas for almost her entire time at Degrassi.

Question 23

Rising star

She appeared in the very first episode of The Next Generation. In this episode, and in the rest of the first season, she mostly served as supporting character defined primarily by being Emma's best friend. As the seasons went on, she began to have more and more of her own storylines, arguably surpassing Emma as the show's most prominent character. These storylines were focused around her burgeoning music career and her various love triangles. She was the first character in The Next Generation to get an abortion.

Question 24

Maya's man

This guy is one of those characters whose persona has changed quite significantly during his time on the show. Around the time of his introduction to the show in season 11, he was presented as a somewhat moody boy who comes from the rough side of town. Lately, this element of his character seems to have been dropped, and he's been reinvented as a more cocky and fun-loving type. Throughout their time on the show, he and Maya had an on-again off-again relationship punctuated by dramatic breakups and quiet pining for one another.

Question 25

A late addition to the show

This character is part of the most recent batch of Degrassi graduates. However, unlike most of them, she was not introduced until the first season of Next Class. Even then, it took a while for her appear in something more significant than a supporting role. In the two most recent seasons though, we've seen her at the center of a few mini-storylines in which she confronts Islamophobia, questions her decision to wear a hijab and very tentatively begins dating one of her classmates.

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