Degrassi: Next Class to debut on Family Channel, Netflix

The kids of Degrassiwill have to go back to school in the fall after all. The decades-old franchise has found a new home on Family Channel and Netflix after being cancelled by MTV Canada and TeenNicklast week.

The new show, Degrassi: Next Class, will debut on Family Channel in January 2016, DHX Media announced Tuesday. It will start streaming on Netflix in early 2016, except for the online service in Canada, Australia and France.

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Netflix Canada will stream the newestDegrassispinoff after its run on Family Channel,Jamie Basset, DHX Television's director of communications said.

Degrassi: The Next Classwill have 20 half-hour episodes in its first season.

"We are looking forward to reaching a fresh new audience withDegrassi: Next Class," executive producer Linda Schuyler said in a statement. "We are energized and excited to work with Family Channel as we tell stories for the new post millennial teen cohort known as Generation Z, most of whom weren't even born when Degrassi returned in 2001."

Degrassi: The Next Generationdebuted in 2001 and has been running for 14 seasons. It was a spinoff of the 1980s and 90sshowsDegrassi Junior High and Degrassi High.

Degrassi: The Next Generationcontinues the second half of itsfourteenth season on July 20 on MTV Canada. The channel will run 12 half-hour episodes over two weeks.

Some old cast will reprise roles

Some of the series' cast members will graduate out of the show during the remainder of that season, Bassetsaid.

Some of the actors will reprise their roles inDegrassi: Next Class, including many of the show's younger characters. DHX confirmed the returning cast includes:

• Amanda Arcurias Lola Pacini.
• Reiya Downs as Shay Powers.
• Ana Golja as Zoe Rivas.
• Nikki Gould as Grace Cardinal.
• Ricardo Hoyos as Zig Novak.
• Ehren Kassam as Jonah Haak.
• Andre Kim as Winston Chu.
• Lyle Lettau as Tristan Milligan.
• Spencer Macpherson as Hunter Hollingsworth.
• Eric Osborne as Miles Hollingsworth III.
• Olivia Scriven as Maya Matlin.
• Sara Waisglass as Frankie Hollingsworth.
• Richard Walters as Deon Tiny Bell.

Some new actors will join the cast forDegrassi: Next Class as well, said Basset. Butno new casting choices have been confirmed.

Filming to continue in Toronto

Degrassiis a fictional drama set in Toronto. It follows a group of students as they face real-life challenges. The show received critical acclaim for tackling tough teen issues such as sex, date rape, homosexuality, drugs and teen pregnancy.

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It has propelled a number of stars to fame, including Drake,The Vampire Diaries'Nina Dobrev and former90210actor Shanae Grimes-Beech.

The series has been nominated for three Emmy Awards, and has won 19 Gemini Awards, 10 Canadian Screen Awards, a Television Critics Association Award, the Peabody Award and two Teen Choice Awards.

DHX Media owns the distribution rights toDegrassi, which will continue to film in Toronto.