Tonight, Degrassi reaches a landmark few television series ever achieve. When the entire Degrassi universe is counted — including The Kids of Degrassi, Degrassi Junior High, and Degrassi High — the franchise will reach its 400th installment. The main series alone has produced three hundred episodes, a figure that marks not just longevity but a sustained connection with audiences across generations. This milestone stands as a testament to a show that has endured, evolved, and remained relevant for decades.
Degrassi now sits among the most enduring and beloved television franchises in the world. The series can be counted alongside giants such as The Simpsons, which has logged more than five hundred episodes to date; the Lassie legacy, with hundreds of adventures across many decades; and the Law & Order franchise, a long-running staple with hundreds of installments. The comparison underscores not only staying power but a cultural footprint that resonates with both younger viewers and adults who grew up watching these titles.
Canada has long taken pride in its homegrown storytelling, yet few Canadian shows ever reach the long-run success of Degrassi. The program has transcended national borders, drawing viewers from across continents who watch, learn from, and see themselves reflected in the lives of its characters. For more than thirty years, the franchise has remained a touchstone for multiple generations, proving that local stories can achieve universal resonance when they are honest, thoughtful, and fearless in facing real life.
Degrassi has earned its reputation by turning attention to the issues that shape adolescence. It has confronted teen pregnancy, abuse, substance use, peer pressure, sexuality and gender identity, and the many pressures young people navigate daily. This frank approach is a large part of why the series remains a touchstone for audiences who crave authentic storytelling. At the same time, some episodes have sparked controversy—so much so that certain stories are not broadcast in every country, reflecting the diverse cultural standards and sensitivities around the world.
DID YOU KNOW?
- The first episode aired on September 12, 1979 and was titled Ida Makes a Movie. This early installment established a grounded, real life storytelling approach that would shape decades of Degrassi narratives by focusing on ordinary challenges in an intimate, human way.
- Adam Torres, portrayed by Jordan Todosey, is recognized as one of television’s earliest openly transgender teen characters. The representation sparked conversations about gender identity in youth media and opened doors for more inclusive storytelling on screen.
- Degrassi Street is a real street in Toronto named after Captain Filippo De Grassi, a figure from local history. The street grounds the series in a tangible place and echoes the sense of community the show has always celebrated.
- The Degrassi franchise has aired in more than a hundred countries, reaching audiences across continents with translations that reveal the universality of its themes.
- Notable guests have included Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, Don McKellar, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Alanis Morissette. They joined different Degrassi installments, highlighting the show’s broad cultural reach and its appeal to fans of music, film, and television.