The thirteenth season of the Canadian

teen drama In film and television show, television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or docudrama, semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humour, humorous in tone. The drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional te ...

television series ''Degrassi'', formerly known as ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'', premiered on July 11, 2013, concluded on July 29, 2014, in Canada and the United States, and consists of 40 episodes. Although only four school years have passed in the story timeline since season six, this season was split into 4 parts. The first part is set in the

summer Summer or summertime is the hottest and brightest of the four temperate seasons, occurring after spring and before autumn. At or centred on the summer solstice, daylight hours are the longest and darkness hours are the shortest, with day ...

. The second part is set in the

fall Autumn, also known as fall (especially in US & Canada), is one of the four temperate seasons on Earth. Outside the tropics, autumn marks the transition from summer to winter, in September (Northern Hemisphere) or March ( Southern Hemispher ...

winter Winter is the coldest and darkest season of the year in temperate and polar climates. It occurs after autumn and before spring. The tilt of Earth's axis causes seasons; winter occurs when a hemisphere is oriented away from the Sun. Dif ...

semester. The third and fourth part is set during the first term of the

spring Spring(s) may refer to: Common uses * Spring (season), a season of the year * Spring (device), a mechanical device that stores energy * Spring (hydrology), a natural source of water * Spring (mathematics), a geometric surface in the shape of a he ...

semester. Writers have been able to use a semi-

floating timeline A floating timeline (also known as a sliding timescale) is a device used in fiction, particularly in long-running comics and animation, to explain why characters age little or not at all while the setting around them remains contemporary to the rea ...

, so that the issues depicted are modern for their viewers. This season depicts the lives of a group of high school

freshmen A freshman, fresher, first year, or colloquially frosh, is a person in the first year at an educational institution, usually a secondary school or at the college and university level, but also in other forms of post-secondary school, post-se ...

sophomores In the United States, a sophomore ( or ) is a person in the second year at an educational institution; usually at a secondary school or at the college and university level, but also in other forms of post-secondary educational institutions. In h ...

, seniors and

graduates Graduate may refer to: Education * The subject of a graduation, i.e. someone awarded an academic degree ** Alumni, a former student who has either attended or graduated from an institution * High school graduate, someone who has completed high ...

as they deal with some of the challenges and issues that teenagers face such as

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal cell growth with the potential to Invasion (cancer), invade or Metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Po ...

texting while driving Texting while driving, also called texting and driving, is the act of composing, sending, or reading text messages on a mobile phone while driving, operating a motor vehicle. Texting while driving is considered traffic safety, extremely dangerous ...

death Death is the end of life; the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain a living organism. Death eventually and inevitably occurs in all organisms. The remains of a former organism normally begin to decompose sh ...

sexism Sexism is prejudice or discrimination based on one's sex or gender. Sexism can affect anyone, but primarily affects women and girls. It has been linked to gender roles and stereotypes, and may include the belief that one sex or gender is int ...

sleep disorder A sleep disorder, or somnipathy, is a medical disorder affecting an individual's sleep patterns, sometimes impacting physical, mental, social, and emotional functioning. Polysomnography and actigraphy are tests commonly ordered for diagnosing sle ...

cyber bullying Cyberbullying (cyberharassment or online bullying) is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic means. Since the 2000s, it has become increasingly common, especially among teenagers and adolescents, due to young people's increased us ...

domestic violence Domestic violence is violence that occurs in a domestic setting, such as in a marriage Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes r ...

rape Rape is a type of sexual assault involving sexual intercourse, or other forms of sexual penetration, carried out against a person without consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority, or against a person ...

racial profiling Racial profiling or ethnic profiling is the offender profiling, selective enforcement or selective prosecution based on race or ethnicity, rather than individual suspicion or evidence. This practice involves discrimination against minority pop ...

and relationships. The thirteenth season was announced November 30, 2012, and production for the season began in April 2013 at

Epitome Pictures Epitome Pictures Inc. (later known as DHX Studios Toronto) was a Canadian film and television production company based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded by Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn in 1992, the company is best known for producing '' Degrassi: ...

' studios in

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

. This season departs from the

telenovela A telenovela is a type of a television serial drama or soap opera produced primarily in Latin America. The word combines ''tele'' (for "television") and ''novela'' (meaning "novel"). Similar Drama (film and television), drama genres around the w ...

soap opera A soap opera (also called a daytime drama or soap) is a genre of a long-running radio or television Serial (radio and television), serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term ''soap opera'' originat ...

format used in the previous three seasons. This also marks the first time in Degrassi history that a season aired for a full year as the season began airing in early July 2013 and ended in late July 2014 and was split into 4 parts. Initially broadcast in Canada on

MuchMusic Much is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel owned by BCE Inc. through its Bell Media subsidiary that airs programming aimed at teenagers and young adults. It is headquartered at 299 Queen Street West in what was o ...

, the show moved to sibling channel

MTV Canada MTV was a Canadian English-language discretionary specialty channel formerly owned by Bell Media subsidiary of BCE Inc. with the name and branding used under a licensing agreement with Paramount Global. Originally devoted to talk, lifestyle, d ...

on October 3, 2013.

Cast

The thirteenth season has 26 actors receiving star billing with 20 of them returning from the previous season. Starting this season, cast members are only credited for the episodes they appear in. Returning cast members include: *

Craig Arnold Craig Arnold (November 16, 1967 – April 27, 2009) was an American poet and professor. His first book of poems, ''Shells'' (1999), was selected by W. S. Merwin for the Yale Series of Younger Poets. His many honors include the 2005 Joseph Br ...

Luke Baker '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the ''Degrassi'' television franchise created by Schuyler and Kit Ho ...

(8 episodes) * Luke Bilyk as

Drew Torres ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television programme, television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the ''Degrassi'' television franchise created b ...

(38 episodes) *

Stefan Brogren Stefan Brogren (born 21 April 1972) is a Canadian actor, director, and producer who is best known for his mainstay role as Archie "Snake" Simpson in the ''Degrassi'' television franchise. First appearing as a student in the second series ''Deg ...

Archie "Snake" Simpson '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the ''Degrassi'' television franchise created by Schuyler and Kit Ho ...

(12 episodes) *

Munro Chambers Munro Skylear Chambers (born July 29, 1990Munro Chambers' bio
at www.northernstars.ca) ...

Eli Goldsworthy '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the ''Degrassi'' television franchise created by Schuyler and Kit Ho ...

(13 episodes) * Sarah Fisher as

Becky Baker '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the ''Degrassi'' television franchise created by Schuyler and Kit Ho ...

(25 episodes) * Jahmil French as Dave Turner (1 episode) *

Ricardo Hoyos Ricardo Antonio Hoyos, Jr. (born November 27, 1995) is a Canadian actor. He joined the cast of ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' for the Degrassi (season 11), eleventh season as Zig Novak and starred in the sequel series ''Degrassi: Next Class'' ...

as Zigmund "Zig" Novak (18 episodes) * Alicia Josipovic as

Bianca DeSousa '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the ''Degrassi'' television franchise created by Schuyler and Kit Ho ...

(4 episodes) * Demetrius Joyette as Mike "Dallas" Dallas (32 episodes) *

Cory Lee Cory Lee (born as Cory Lee Urhahn) is a Canadian singer-songwriter and actress. She is most noted for playing the role of Karma in the television series '' Instant Star'', and Miss Oh on '' Degrassi: The Next Generation''. Early life Born ...

as Miss Oh (3 episodes) *

Lyle Lettau ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television programme, television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the ''Degrassi'' television franchise created b ...

Tristan Milligan '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the ''Degrassi'' television franchise created by Schuyler and Kit Ho ...

(33 episodes) *

Aislinn Paul Aislinn Claire Paul (; born March 5, 1994) is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her role in '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' as Clare Edwards, for which she has won two Canadian Screen Awards (2015 and 2016) for Best Performance in a Ch ...

Clare Edwards '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the ''Degrassi'' television franchise created by Schuyler and Kit Ho ...

(36 episodes) *

Cristine Prosperi Cristine Prosperi Binnington is a Canadian actress. She is known for portraying Imogen Moreno on the long-running television series ''Degrassi''. She also starred as Aria on the web series ''Totally Amp'd'', and as Mikayla Walker on the YTV and ...

Imogen Moreno '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the ''Degrassi'' television franchise created by Schuyler and Kit Ho ...

(30 episodes) * Chloe Rose as Katie Matlin (2 episodes) *

A.J. Saudin Faisal A.J. Saudin (born May 14, 1992), known professionally as A.J. Saudin or Saudin, is a Canadian actor, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known for his role as Connor Deslauriers, Connor DeLaurier in the long-running teen dr ...

as Connor DeLaurier (24 episodes) * Olivia Scriven as

Maya Matlin '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the ''Degrassi'' television franchise created by Schuyler and Kit Ho ...

(38 episodes) *

Melinda Shankar Melinda Leanna Shankar (born February 18, 1992) is a Canadian actress. She is best known for starring as Alli Bhandari in the television series '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' (2008–2015) and as Indira "Indie" Mehta in the YTV series ''Ho ...

Alli Bhandari '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the ''Degrassi'' television franchise created by Schuyler and Kit Ho ...

(33 episodes) *

Jordan Todosey Jordan Todosey ( , born February 8, 1995) is a Canadian actress. She is known for her role as Adam Torres, the first transgender character on the long-running TV series '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'', and as Lizzie McDonald on ''Life with Der ...

as Adam Torres (8 episodes) *

Jessica Tyler '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the '' Degrassi'' television franchise created by Schuyler and Kit H ...

Jenna Middleton '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the '' Degrassi'' television franchise created by Schuyler and Kit H ...

(25 episodes) Joining the main cast this season are: *

Ana Golja Muazana "Ana" Golja is a Canadian actress and singer. She is known for playing List of Degrassi: The Next Generation characters, Zoë Rivas in the teen dramas ''Degrassi: Next Class'' and ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' and Ariana Berlin in th ...

Zoë Rivas '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the ''Degrassi'' television franchise created by Schuyler and Kit Ho ...

(34 episodes) * Nikki Gould as Grace Cardinal (15 episodes) * André Kim as Winston "Chewy" Chu (27 episodes) * Eric Osborne as Miles Hollingsworth III (34 episodes) * Sara Waisglass as Francesca "Frankie" Hollingsworth (19 episodes) *

Niamh Wilson Niamh Wilson (; born March 9, 1997) is a Canadian film and television actress from Toronto, Ontario, known for her role as Lydia in Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies as well as Jacqueline "Jack" Jones on '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' during ...

as Jacqueline "Jack" Jones (10 episodes) The six actors from season twelve who did not return this season were: *

Shanice Banton Shanice Antonette Banton (born 1992) is a Canadian actress known for her role as Marisol Lewis on the Canadian teen drama series ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' and as Violet Hart on ''Murdoch Mysteries.'' Career From 2010 to 2013, Banton por ...

Marisol Lewis '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the ''Degrassi'' television franchise created by Schuyler and Kit Ho ...

* Annie Clark as Fiona Coyne * Daniel Kelly as

Owen Milligan '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the ''Degrassi'' television franchise created by Schuyler and Kit Ho ...

* Justin Kelly as Jake Martin * Jacob Neayem as Mohammed "Mo" Mashkour *Alexa Steele as

Tori Santamaria '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is a Canadian teen drama television series created by Linda Schuyler and Yan Moore. ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' is the fourth entry of the '' Degrassi'' television franchise created by Schuyler and Kit ...

All left the series.

Crew

Season thirteen is produced by

in association with

Bell Media Bell Media Inc. (Canadian French, French: ) is a Canadian media conglomerate that is the mass media subsidiary of BCE Inc. (also known as Bell Canada Enterprises, the owner of telecommunications company Bell Canada). Its operations include nati ...

. Funding was provided by The Canadian Media Fund, The Shaw Rocket Fund, RBC Royal Bank, The Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, and the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit.

Linda Schuyler Linda Schuyler (; née Bawcutt; born February 12, 1948) is a Canadian television producer. She is best known for being the co-creator and producer of the ''Degrassi'' franchise, which has spanned five series over four decades. She is a co-found ...

, co-creator of the ''Degrassi'' franchise and CEO of Epitome Pictures, serves as an

executive producer Executive producer (EP) is one of the top positions in the production of media. Depending on the medium, the executive producer may be concerned with management accounting or associated with legal issues (like copyrights or royalties). In film ...

with her husband, and President of Epitome Pictures,

Stephen Stohn John Stephen Stohn, (born May 8, 1948) is an American-born Canadian entertainment lawyer and television producer. He is best known for his involvement with the '' Degrassi'' teen drama franchise, particularly as an executive producer on '' Degra ...

. Matt Huether is also credited as a co-executive producer, Karen Hill as consulting producer, Sarah Glinski an executive producer, and Ella Schwarzman an executive post producer. Stefan Brogren is series producer, while David Lowe is credited as producer, and Stephanie Williams the supervising producer. The casting directors are Larissa Mair and Krisha Bullock Alexander, and the editors include Jason B. Irvine and Gordon Thorne. The executive story editor is Matt Schiller, the story editors are Ian Malone and Sadiya Durrani, and Courtney Jane Walker is the senior story editor. Episode writers for the season include Ramona Barckert, Karen Hill, Michael Grassi, and Matt Schiller. The director of photography is Mitchell T. Ness, and the directors include Stefan Brogren and Bruce McDonald.

Episodes

The summer block began with a one-hour special, and aired weekly with an after show, ''After Degrassi''. The fall block ran from October 3 to November 21, 2013, on

MTV MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...

in Canada, and on TeenNick in the United States. The winter block began on January 28, continued through spring, and ended on April 22, 2014, on MTV in Canada, and TeenNick in the United States. Unlike previous seasons, the thirteenth season continued through until summer and has a second summer block, which began on June 3, 2014, on MTV in Canada, and TeenNick in the United States, making this season the first to have new episodes from the same season airing a year after the first episode premiered.

Controversy

With many questions regarding the lack of a DVD release, executive producer Stephen Stohn posted on Twitter and Facebook: The decision to kill off Adam Torres, the only

transgender A transgender (often shortened to trans) person has a gender identity different from that typically associated with the sex they were sex assignment, assigned at birth. The opposite of ''transgender'' is ''cisgender'', which describes perso ...

character in the show's history, during this season garnered fan backlash. In a statement, LGBT media watchdogs

GLAAD GLAAD () is an American non-governmental media monitoring organization. Originally founded as a protest against defamatory coverage of gay and lesbian demographics and their portrayals in the media and entertainment industries, it has since ...

said:

When ''Degrassi'' introduced its large and loyal audience to Adam Torres, an authentic, multi-dimensional transgender character, the show not only made television history, but set a new standard industry standard for LGBT inclusion. With so few transgender characters on television, we are disappointed that Adam's story had to end this way, and we hope other shows will follow ''Degrassis lead in bringing stories like his to viewers...

, one of the show's creators, defended the choice to kill the character, saying in a statement:

The combination of Adam being a favorite character, and Jordan being at the end of her contract, presented a unique opportunity to tell this story through such a beloved character. As saddened as we are to say goodbye to Adam, we feel this storyline will affect even more lives in an authentic way...

References

External links

* {{Degrassi Degrassi: The Next Generation seasons 2013 Canadian television seasons 2014 Canadian television seasons