As the summer sun set over Toronto, the city buzzed with the energy of stars, filmmakers, and fans converging for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which ran through Sunday, September 14, 2025. TIFF, always a highlight in the film industry’s calendar, marks the midway point in the annual gauntlet of premieres, with Oscar hopefuls vying for attention and acclaim. The festival season itself had kicked off in August with the Venice International Film Festival, overlapping with the Telluride Film Festival over Labor Day weekend—setting the stage for TIFF’s unique blend of world premieres and North American debuts.
This year, TIFF’s red carpets glittered with more than just Hollywood’s latest. On Saturday night, September 13, a moment of nostalgia and celebration unfolded at the Scotiabank Theatre: a reunion of the stars of Degrassi, the iconic Canadian high school series that redefined teen television. The occasion? The world premiere of "Degrassi: Whatever It Takes," a documentary chronicling the show’s enduring legacy and emotional impact.
But this reunion almost didn’t happen. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the screening was in jeopardy just days before, as series co-creator Linda Schuyler had threatened legal action against the documentary’s release. Fortunately, Schuyler withdrew her objection earlier in the week, clearing the way for the film’s debut. As producer Carrie Mudd told the packed audience, “We are thrilled to be here at TIFF and to celebrate this iconic series. I’d like to thank the lawyers, the journalists, the publicists, our incredible cast and crew and the Degrassi fans for sticking with us this week. Without you, this film may not have screened.”
Director Lisa Rideout, herself a longtime fan, introduced the film with palpable excitement. “I grew up being a fan of the show, and it’s pretty amazing to have directed it,” she reflected, capturing the sense of full-circle pride that permeated the evening. The film features candid interviews with cast members spanning the franchise’s decades-long history: Dayo Ade, Stefan Brogren, Amanda Deiseach, Maureen Deiseach, Shenae Grimes-Beech, Jake Epstein, Shane Kippel, Miriam McDonald, Stacie Mistysyn, Melinda Shankar, Amanda Stepto, and Jordan Todosey. Notably absent, however, were Schuyler herself and rapper-actor Drake, who got his start on Degrassi before rising to global stardom.
The Degrassi franchise, which began humbly with Kids of Degrassi Street (1979–1986), blossomed into a cultural touchstone through Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, and later Degrassi: The Next Generation, which premiered in 2001 and ran until 2015. The saga continued with Degrassi: Next Class on Netflix from 2016 to 2017. Over four decades, co-creators Schuyler and Kit Hood built a world that was edgy, inclusive, and unafraid to tackle the real, often messy challenges of teenage life. From abortion and anorexia to school shootings, the series didn’t shy away from tough topics—something that made it both groundbreaking and beloved.
During a post-screening Q&A, Amanda Stepto, who played the iconic Christine "Spike" Nelson, spoke to the emotional resonance of seeing the show’s generations reflected on screen. “It’s quite emotional, not only just watching what happened with our own generation, but seeing those same feelings, that we’re all human, no matter what generation we were on,” she shared. Her words echoed the show’s enduring message: that the struggles of adolescence are universal, transcending time and circumstance.
For Dayo Ade, who portrayed Bryant Lester Thomas (BLT), the show’s impact was deeply personal and far-reaching. “We touched a lot of people, and us being able to tell these stories, we were able to help a lot of other people figure out a lot of things,” he insisted, reflecting on how Degrassi’s willingness to confront difficult issues helped viewers navigate their own lives.
Perhaps the most poignant moment came from Miriam McDonald, who played Emma Nelson. Visibly moved, she told the audience, “I’m finding myself overwhelmed,” as the documentary “brought me back to some tough childhood moments, and I have found so many friends in our fan base. Some of the messages you guys have sent really uplifted me.” In the film, McDonald revisited the storyline where Emma battled an eating disorder—a plot that, heartbreakingly, mirrored her own real-life struggle at the time. She revealed that she lost her sister to the same condition, a revelation that cast new light on the show’s commitment to authenticity and the profound connections forged with its audience.
TIFF’s embrace of the Degrassi documentary was a fitting tribute to a franchise that has shaped not only Canadian television but also the broader landscape of teen drama worldwide. The festival, as reported by Pursuits, serves as a critical platform for films aiming for Oscar glory, drawing industry heavyweights and fresh voices alike. Yet, amidst the glitz and glamour, it was the heartfelt reunion of Degrassi’s cast—and the raw honesty of their stories—that stole the spotlight this year.
As the festival season barrels on, with Venice and Telluride already in the rearview mirror, TIFF’s role as a cultural crossroads has never been more apparent. Films that debuted overseas or in Colorado found new audiences in Toronto, while world premieres like "Degrassi: Whatever It Takes" reminded everyone of the power of storytelling to heal, unite, and inspire.
When the festival wraps up on Sunday, September 14, with its much-anticipated awards ceremony, the city will return to its usual rhythm. But for one night at least, the Scotiabank Theatre was alive with the echoes of Degrassi’s past and the promise of its legacy—proof that, sometimes, the most powerful stories are the ones we’ve lived together, decade after decade.
