New Students... New Drama!

[KyL416]

Get Ready As A New Class Of Degrassi Students Enroll On The New Season Of The N's Hit Teen Drama, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Friday, Oct. 10, At 8:00 P.M. (ET)

The N Debuts Last Eight Episodes of Final Season of Acclaimed Teen Drama, South of Nowhere, Beginning Oct. 10, at 9:00 P.M. (ET)

NEW YORK, Sept. 25 - Fall has arrived and high school is back in session for a few new underclassmen at Degrassi, when The N premieres a new season of the award-winning hit teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation with a special hour-long episode on Friday, Oct. 10, at 8:00 p.m. (ET). Degrassi's new students may think they're ready to navigate their new surroundings with the help of new best friends, cliques and boyfriends, but they'll soon discover that this high school redefines teenage drama. Degrassi: The Next Generation airs regularly Friday nights at 8:00 p.m. (ET) on The N.

Directly following Degrassi is the return of The N's acclaimed teen drama South of Nowhere at 9:00 p.m. (ET). The N will roll out the final eight episodes of South of Nowhere on Friday nights at 8:30 p.m.* with the special hour-long series finale premiering Friday, Dec. 12, at 8:00 p.m. (ET). After the series finale, viewers will get a chance to see two different flash forwards about the future of Ashley and Spencer. The first will be a 2-3 minute short of "The Next Day" written by series creator, Tommy Lynch, and the other will be a 2-3 minute short of what happens "5-Years Later" which was conceptualized by fans.


Beginning Friday, Oct. 3, and leading up the new season premiere, The N will "Get Ready for Degrassi" by airing every episode ever of the hit teen series and showing sneak peeks of the new season. Marathons of the series will run from Friday, Oct. 3, at 3:00 p.m. through Monday, Oct. 6 at 9:00 a.m., and weekdays from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. On Friday, Oct. 10, The N will run an all-day marathon, leading up the anticipated one-hour premiere at 8:00 p.m. (ET).


In the Degrassi premiere, "Uptown Girl," teen mom Mia, desperate to have a normal teenage life, is relieved of her after-school parental duties by her mom. Mia takes full advantage of her newfound freedom and her chance to do it all, joining the cheerleading squad, making new girlfriends, catching the eye of Degrassi's star quarterback, and the ultimate teen girl's dream -- landing a plum modeling contract. But will Mia be able to balance cheerleading, a new boyfriend, new friends, and life in the limelight as a working model? When Mia has the chance to book the ultimate job -- becoming the new face of a hot, new ad campaign -- she's faced with some tough choices and the harsh realities of fame. Mia wants the job so badly that she's willing to do just about anything to land it, but at what cost?


Degrassi also welcomes a new class of "gifted" freshmen, including Clare, Darcy's buttoned-up and book-worm younger sister. Having the beautiful, prom queen for an older sister isn't easy and there's no way Clare is even going to try to follow in Darcy's footsteps. She claims that she doesn't care what people think and is only at Degrassi for one reason, to learn. But that claim is immediately challenged when she meets K.C., a cute skater and fellow gifted freshman. He sees through her "just here for school" act and tries to break through her tough shell. When he challenges her to an 'open mic' performance in the school cafeteria, things don't go the way either of them expect and Clare is brutally humiliated before the entire school.


Meanwhile at Smithdale University, it's far from one-for-all, and all-for-one, when Degrassi grads Emma, Liberty and Manny are assigned different roommates in a housing mix-up. Manny and Liberty are just as happy to start fresh, part ways and embrace the opportunity to meet new people. But Emma is determined to keep them together and to their dismay, spends hours negotiating with the housing department to get them reassigned together ... along with Kelly, a fourth roommate, who is not at all what they are expecting and definitely going to make dorm life a lot more interesting.


On South of Nowhere's half-hour premiere, "Career Day," Ashley and Spencer are finally back together and are ready to pick up where they left off. Except this time, Ashley's the one looking for stability and commitment, especially since Kyla's already on her way to ruining their lives.


Meet the new cast of Degrassi: The Next Generation:


Allia "Alli" Bhandari - Grade 9 (14-years-old): Known as "Sav's Little Sister," "Our Little Genius" or "Backwoods Bhandari," Allie is tired of being labeled. She has never felt like she fits in anywhere ... not at home with her conservative parents or at school in her gifted programs. All Alli wants is a normal high school experience -- although she's not entirely sure what that is. She knows it includes more fun and at least one cute boy and she knows she needs to deceive her parents in order to have it. Sometimes Alli goes too far in her quest to be like everyone else and it gets her into trouble. But she's always been able to get herself out of it -- so far.


Clare Edwards - Grade 9 (14-years-old): A polar opposite of her boy-crazy older sister Darcy, Clare believes there are more important things in life than dating. However, it was easier to avoid boys at her all-girls school, but at Degrassi, they're everywhere. She knows people think she's weird but she's not worried about fitting in. Clare has a strong moral compass and is puzzled when people don't do the right thing. But being the "good girl" definitely comes with its own set of challenges.


K.C. Guthrie - Grade 9 (14-years-old): Tall and athletic, K.C.'s appearance makes him the last teenager you'd expect to walk into a gifted class -- but here he is, ready to learn. With K.C.'s focus on academic achievement, he finds himself surrounded by an unlikely group of friends and a potential love interest. Will he be able to maintain a balance between his social and academic life and still be able to hide the dark secret from his past?


Connor - Grade 9 (14-years-old): Connor is an intense guy and has the ability to focus completely on one thing. Of course that one thing is rarely what someone is saying to him. He's incredibly smart and has learned enough conventional responses to fit in most of the time. What neither Connor, nor the people around him have learned, is that he has an undiagnosed mild case of Aspergers Syndrome.


Leia - Grade 11 (16-years-old): Shy and insecure, Leia arrives at Degrassi not knowing anyone. She hopes that her demeanor will be interpreted as cool and aloof. On the first day of school, she is befriended by Mia and the two are quickly inseparable until Leia is unable to tolerate the fast fashion model lifestyle that Mia gravitates toward.


Blue Chessex - Grade 11 (17-years-old): Blue has a reputation for being a ladies man who could easily have his pick of potential girlfriends. But he's not at all what people think and he's far from locker room banter about any of his conquests. If you're ever looking for Blue, you can always try the art room where he's working on his latest masterpiece.


Riley Stavros - Grade 12 (18-years-old): Riley seems to have it all -- he's attractive and he's the star football player. But behind his apparent charm, dry humor and self-confidence, there's a potentially angry young man who harbors a big secret. Riley feels he can beat this thing with the same kind of determination he has brought to his weight training and football playing. But when Riley meets Peter, he questions if he can he be friends with this guy or would it be wiser to back away altogether?


Kelly Ashoona - Smithdale University (18-years-old): A sweet guy with a disarming grin and a way with words, Kelly is fast becoming friends with every girl in the dorm. The guys like Kelly too, but not just because he lives with three hot girls. Kelly is totally zen, plays guitar, ultimate frisbee, loves sports and movies, and carries himself with that comfortable, collegiate air that makes him so likeable and thus the ultimate wingman and future boy crush.


Degrassi: The Next Generation, winner of both a Television Critics Association Award and two Teen Choice Summer Series Awards, is a fictional, dramatic series that tackles tough issues in a realistic way. Degrassi explores an interesting group adolescents and young adults going through the trials and tribulations at Degrassi Community School and beyond. The series follows Holly J (Charlotte Arnold), Mia (Nina Dobrev), Sav (Raymond Ablack), Anya (Samantha Munro), Scott Paterson (Johnny), Danny (Dalmar Abuzeid) and Peter (Jamie Johnston) as they journey through high school. Season Eight introduces a new group of "niners" into the gifted program taught by Mr. Simpson (Stefan Brogren) including Clare (Aislinn Paul), Sav's sister Alli (Melinda Shankar), KC (Sam Earle) and Connor (A.J. Saudin). Also sit along for the season are alumni Emma (Miriam McDonald), Manny (Cassie Steele), Liberty (Sarah Barrable-Tishauer), Spinner (Shane Kippel), and Jay (Mike Lobel) as they experience life post Degrassi.


Degrassi: The Next Generation is produced by Epitome Pictures in association with CTV. The series was co-created by Linda Schuyler, co-producer of the original Degrassi series, and Yan Moore. Schuyler and Stephen Stohn serve as Executive Producers. Season Eight Executive Producer is Sara Snow.


Epitome Pictures and its affiliate companies have been producing quality Canadian programming since 1976, including the multi-award winning, internationally recognized Degrassi franchise, The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High, which still air throughout the world. Epitome Pictures has also produced the series Instant Star, Liberty Street and Riverdale as well as several MOWs. For more information, please visit //www.epitomepictures.com.


About The N


The N, the 24-hour TV network exclusively for and about teens, is currently available in 64 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite, as well on mobile, VOD and broadband. The N's distinct perspective connects its audience to the electricity and possibilities of teendom, anytime and anywhere, with original series and ever-popular favorites. The N's Emmy Award-winning website, The-N.com, paired with sister site Quizilla.com, makes The N the #1 online destination for teens. The N and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.


* The Dec. 5 episode of South of Nowhere will premiere at 8:00 p.m. (ET).

[KyL416]

CTV's release:

Hollywood's Spotlight Shines on an All-New Season of Degrassi: The Next Generation, Beginning October 5 on CTV

-- Degrassi fans Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes guest star in special Hollywood episodes directed by classic cast member Stefan Brogren --
– Degrassi Season 8 returns with 22 new episodes; nine hot young actors join cast –
– New episodes of Degrassi available post-broadcast on iTunes and on demand on The CTV Video Player at CTV.ca –
-- Degrassi to now air on MuchMusic, beginning October 7 --

Toronto, ON (September 26, 2008) – For the first time in the history of the series, Hollywood is rolling out the red carpet for Degrassi: The Next Generation. In the upcoming eighth season of the award-winning CTV Original Series, Degrassi heads to Hollywood for a special four-episode story arc featuring guests stars Kevin Smith (Clerks) and Jason Mewes (Clerks). Degrassi: The Next Generation premieres Sunday, October 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET, airing back-to-back with Star Wars: The Clone Wars (also premiering Oct. 5) on CTV (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times).

CTV also announced today that the new season of Degrassi: The Next Generation will make its Canadian specialty debut, airing in the prime Tuesdays at 7 p.m. ET timeslot on MuchMusic, beginning October 7. Degrassi Season 8 also airs on demand on the CTV Video Player at CTV.ca and on the go at iTunes.ca.

The Degrassi production team heads to Los Angeles to shoot the four new "Hollywood Episodes" on location October 5 and 6. Featuring many special guest stars, including die-hard Degrassi fans Smith and Mewes, the episodes will be directed by Stefan Brogren, aka Archie "Snake" Simpson, who takes over the directorial reigns on Degrassi for the first time. The Degrassi "Hollywood Episodes" are slated to air later this season.

"True to its groundbreaking nature, as the series premieres in Canada, Degrassi is heading to Los Angeles to shoot on location," said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. "Adored for its controversial and entertaining storylines, this cultural phenomenon continues to captivate audiences across Canada and around the world."

"Season 8 brings a whole new set of firsts," said Degrassi executive producer and co-creator Linda Schuyler. "Degrassi will get an influx of new students, a new principal and its first football team while Emma, Manny and Liberty charter new waters at Smithdale University."

With 22 all-new episodes, the expanded Season 8 begins with a gifted Grade 9 class starting at Degrassi and the graduating class embarking on a new journey to Smithdale College.

In the season premiere, "Uptown Girl, Part 1" (October 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET), Mia (Nina Dobrev) starts the school year off with a bang by being scouted as the new face of football star Tom Blakes' shoe line. Mia wants the job, but just how far will she go to get it? Meanwhile, Emma's (Miriam McDonald) horrified when she and Manny (Cassie Steele) are assigned different rooms at the Smithdale dorm. After spending hours negotiating with the housing department to get them reassigned, Manny and Liberty (Sarah Barrable-Tishauer) are not as excited to be reunited as Emma had hoped, while mystery roommate Kelly (Evan Williams) adds something new to the mix.

About Season 8
The bell rings, signalling a new school high school and university year for Degrassi: The Next Generation, which continues to explore new and provocative territory for adolescents and young adults grappling with "first" experiences. Season 8 finds favourite characters dealing with the social and academic pressures of becoming high school juniors and seniors, while introducing exciting new characters to the world of the Degrassi Community School. Last year, chaos reigned as students from rival school Lakehurst were forced into the halls of Degrassi. This year, Lakehurst's contribution is much worse with its "anything goes" principal, The Shep. While The Shep's love for football and the popular crowd doesn't jibe with most of the student body and faculty, his attitude is especially hard on Degrassi's newest students – a Grade 9 gifted class. And just as the Grade 9's explore their new surroundings, so too do the recent graduates and Smithdale College freshmen. This season Emma, Manny and Liberty navigate their way through the trials of higher education, residence life, and being far from home.

Nine talented young actors join the cast of Degrassi this season. New series regulars include: Sam Earle (Sticks and Stones) as K.C., the tall, handsome, athletic gifted student; Jordan Hudyma (Dead Like Me) as Blue, the new student with a reputation for being a player; Judy Jiao as Leia, the shy and insecure student who doesn't know a soul at Degrassi; Argiris Karras (What's the Beef) as Riley, the alpha male, attractive football player; Aislinn Paul as Clare, Darcy's moral younger sister; AJ Saudin (Open Your Ears) as Connor, the incredibly smart but intense new student; Melinda Shankar as Alli, Sav's genius younger sister; Evan Williams (Instant Star) as Kelly, the sweet and friendly Smithdale freshman; and Kevin Jubinville (Citizen Duane) as Degrassi's new principal, and football coach, "The Shep."

Returning for Season 8 are Jamie Johnston as Peter; Shane Kippel as Spinner; Nina Dobrev as Mia; Dalmar Abuzeid as Danny; Sarah Barrable-Tishauer as Liberty; Jake Goldsbie as Toby; Aubrey Graham as Jimmy; Mike Lobel as Jay; Miriam McDonald as Emma; Cassie Steele as Manny; Raymond Ablack as Sav; Charlotte Arnold as Holly J.; Paula Brancati as Jane; Marc Minardi as Lucas; Samantha Munro as Anya; and Scott Paterson as Johnny. Returning classic cast members are regulars Stefan Brogren as Snake, and Amanda Stepto as Spike.

Degrassi on iTunes
Episodes from Season 8 will be made available on the iTunes Store in Canada (//www.itunes.ca) the day after broadcast. Degrassi joins other original CTV programs on iTunes including, among others, Corner Gas and Flashpoint.

About Degrassi on The CTV Video Player
Following its television premiere, Episode 801 will be made available on demand on The CTV Video Player at CTV.ca on Monday, October 6 at 9 a.m. ET. Subsequent episodes of Degrassi will be available every Monday following a new broadcast. Degrassi also extends its brand with 13 new scripted webisodes, including a six-part mini series that are Halloween themed, to complement Season 8, along with 16 behind-the-scenes extras, all available on The CTV Video Player.

About Degrassi Online
This summer, Degrassi became the first Canadian television series to launch a presence in vSide, the 3-D, online, next-generation virtual world. The latest phenomenon in social entertainment, fans can hangout at the virtual Degrassi DOT Grill by logging onto vSide at degrassi.ctv.ca. Also check out Degrassi's award-winning Website at //www.degrassi.ctv.ca, winner of the 2003 Gemini for Most Popular Website and Best Interactive Award in 2003 and 2002.

About Recent Degrassi Awards
The seventh season of Degrassi was nominated for Choice Summer Series at the 2008 Teen Choice Awards in Hollywood in August. Degrassi was also recently nominated for four Gemini Awards, including Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series, Best Direction in a Children's or Youth Program or Series (Phil Earnshaw), and two nods in the category of Best Performance in a Childrens' or Youth Program or Series (Shane Kippel and Lauren Collins).

About Degrassi Around The World
Degrassi: The Next Generation has been successfully licensed in over 150 countries, including Switzerland, Australia and France. In the U.S., Degrassi is the flagship series for cable channel The N.

Degrassi: The Next Generation is produced by Epitome Pictures in association with CTV. The series was co-created by Linda Schuyler, co-producer of the original Degrassi series and Yan Moore. Schuyler and Stephen Stohn serve as Executive Producers. Sara Snow executive produces. Distribution company Program Partners launched the series into U.S. syndication in September 2007. Trish Williams is the CTV production executive working with the series. Brett Burlock is Director, Program Development for CTV. Susanne Boyce is President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc.

CTV, Canada's largest private broadcaster, offers a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming. It has the number-one national newscast, CTV National News With Lloyd Robertson, and is the number-one choice for prime-time viewing. CTVglobemedia Inc. is Canada's premier multi-media company which owns CTV Inc. and The Globe and Mail. CTV Inc. also owns radio stations across the country, and leading national specialty channels. Other CTVglobemedia investments include an interest in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and in Dome Productions, a North American leader in the provision of mobile high definition production facilities. More information about CTV may be found on the company website at //www.ctv.ca.

[BonesIsHere]

Flip books were found on The N's site for the first seven episodes. Is that what we're looking at for them? Seven episodes and then they take their first break?

[KyL416]

Not sure yet, production is still going on so it could just simply be that's all they have right now. I'll ask Monday.

[BonesIsHere]

Thanks.

[KyL416]

Episode 801
"Uptown Girl", Part One
Relieved of parental duty for the year by mom, Mia starts the school year off with a bang by bonding with new girl, Leia, and getting scouted to be the new face of football star Tom Blakes' shoe line. Mia wants to get this job. But just how far will she go to get it? All the way to Tom's bed perhaps? But she's not that type of girl. Or is she?

When Emma and Manny are assigned different rooms at the Smithdale dorm, Emma's horrified. After spending hours negotiating with the housing department to get them reassigned, Manny and Liberty are not as excited as Emma had hoped. And mystery roommate Kelly adds something new to the mix. Will rooming together bring these girls back together or push them even further apart?

Episode 802
"Uptown Girl", Part Two
Mia does what she can to ensure her success. Besides, Tom is handsome and famous, so Mia thinks being with Tom to get ahead isn't such a bad trade. But she's having difficulty balancing school, beginning a relationship with Danny, and going to wild parties with Tom at night. But all that doesn't matter because Mia wins the coveted job! But at the big photo shoot, she learns a shocking truth -- the decision was made entirely without Tom's input. Now, she's a bona fide model, but at what cost? Is this new glamourous path worth losing her new friend, a great boyfriend, and her self-respect?

As we get better acquainted with the gifted class we see the relationships come together between Connor and Clare. Clare says she doesn't care what people think but when new boy K.C. shows obvious interest, she begins to care what K.C. thinks!

Episode 803
"Fight The Power"
Jane wants to play football but since there is no girls team, then boys' football it is. The Shep doesn't like the idea one bit, but once Jane proves she's faster, stronger, and more athletic than most of the team, he relents... with a warning: she'll be treated like every other player. The guys on the team razz Jane, but she deflects their jabs playfully, determined to be a part of the team. During the final moments of Degrassi's first-ever football game, Jane is not protected by her team, gets hit, fumbles the ball and costs them the win. Jane weathers the relentless harassment to stick with the team, but when an altercation between Jane and Derek turns violent, Jane finds herself on the losing end of the fight. What's worse, The Shep chalks it up to boys being boys. Jane must decide if playing a sport she loves is worth the constant struggle against this entrenched misogyny. Jane knows she can play football with the best, but can she win the hearts and minds of her teammates in this battle to belong?

Episode 804
"Didn't We Almost Have It All"
Eager to make the most of her college experience, Liberty jumps at the chance to rush the most popular sorority at Smithdale. Determined to get in, Liberty slowly exchanges old habits and old friends (Manny and Emma) for sorority approved ones. Despite a new look and a posse of supportive rushees, Liberty lets loose and the sisters love it. But where will all this behavior take her? Front of the school paper. Liberty worries she'll be cut. Turns out, she had nothing to worry about; the sorority needs a token minority. Now what will she do?

Back at Degrassi, Holly J enters this year with an aggressive "to do list": rule the school as student council President, take the Power Squad to the city finals and get the grades that will get her into a top university. When she assumes she's the only virgin on the Power Squad, she adds "lose her virginity' to the list. And who will be the lucky young man?

Episode 805
"Man With Two Hearts"
Peter begins a relationship with Mia and a friendship with Riley. Finding a balance between a new girlfriend and a new guy friend gets confusing, especially when Riley is suddenly kissing Peter. Riley immediately runs off, leaving Peter really confused about their friendship. Peter struggles to understand. Did he encourage Riley? And when he confronts him with what happened, will the truth bring his friend closer, or only drive them further away?

Meanwhile, while working on a project with Connor at Simpson's house, Clare and Alli find a vibrator under Mr. S's bed! Caught off guard by Spike's arrival, the sex toy ends up in Clare's bag. Trouble really strikes when Connor accidentally sets off the vibrator in class and Mr. Armstrong confiscates it. Clare's mom, now scandalized, is called to the school, and is horribly embarrassed by The Shep. Despite being totally humiliated, the incident forces Clare to challenge her parents on their don't ask/don't tell approach to sexuality.


Episode 806
"With or Without You"
Sav and Anya plan to celebrate their six-month anniversary on the school's overnight trip. Only problem? Alli, Sav's sister, convinces their parents to let her go on the trip on the condition that Sav spend every second with her. Forced to choose between his girlfriend and family responsibility, what's a guy to do? Compromise. Trouble is, can Sav trust his sister to behave? All signs point to no when Alli is anointed with the nickname "Backwoods" Bhandari. Sav is furious. How could she do that to their family? Alli is furious back. How could he believe those rumors? And more importantly, how can Sav make out with Anya and be upset if Alli does the same? Alli accuses Sav of having some serious double standards. And Anya knows it too!

Over at Smithdale, both Manny and Emma are crushing on their roommate, Kelly. The two girls know they can't compete over the same guy. They've been down that road before. They are older and wiser now. They know their friendship is too valuable to risk over a guy. Isn't it?

Episode 807
"Money For Nothing"
Mia's T-Bombz campaign is hitting the city, and Degrassi. But Holly J has bigger and better things going on. She's prepping the Power Squad for an out-of-town competition, and things are looking good. Her crush, Blue, has even asked her out! Holly J has all her ducks in line, until, she learns her parents in real financial turmoil so no more rides to school. Also, from now on, brown bag lunches, and no more trips to the mall. Desperate to keep up her top dog appearance and appease her financial crisis, Holly J spills her guts to Spinner in order to land a job at The Dot (despite her atrocious waitressing skills). Hurt by her family's struggle, Holly J lashes out at Mia and plans to destroy her new glam status. Mia's secret about Tom has landed in Holly J's hands, and she's thinking of sharing it with the world.

Things are close to perfect for Peter who is happily enjoying the band, Mia, and his pad. Until, Ms. Hatzilakos unexpectedly drops in for a visit. She'll be staying with Peter for a bit while she's in town. Peter quickly discovers that his life isn't so rad with mom around. She's treating Peter like a kid, when he feels he's becoming a responsible adult. What does Peter need to do to show his mom he's grown up?

Episode 808
"Lost in Love", Part One
Spinner and Jane have plans for next year – she'll start pre-law and he'll attend police college. When he doesn't get in, he can't bear to tell her, so he lies. Jane catches him and starts to wonder if her future includes him.

Clare gets invited to the dance by K.C. AND Connor. When it looks like their struggle for her attention will jeopardize Robot Wars, she decides to go with neither.

Kelly and Emma finally admit they have feelings for each other and agree to go out on a date.

Episode 809
"Lost in Love", Part Two
Desperate to win Jane back, Spinner sneaks into the Leadership Convention Jane is speaking at and proposes. When Jane turns him down, Spinner breaks up with her – nothing he does is ever good enough. But soon Jane realizes she needs Spinner in her life. Will she be able to win him back?

Clare agrees to go to the dance with Connor to avoid hurting his feelings. But when she shares a dance with K.C., the person she really wanted to go with, she hurts Connor anyway.

Kelly nearly loses Emma before he's even got her! What will he have to do to prove his feelings for her?

Episode 810
"Bad Medicine"
Riley's the star of Degrassi's first ever football game win! Shep is floored at how much Riley's improved. Things seem like they can't get any better for Riley, except for the fact that he's keeping some serious secrets. Not only is he repressing the fact that he's gay, Riley is also using anabolic steroids. He uses them and girls to complete his "real man" image but when his social life leaves him unsatisfied, he is driven to take more steroids as an "antidote" to his gayness. With the steroids' side effects ramping up – Riley begins to lose his temper and acts out at school. Will he be able to maintain this straight jock persona he's created? Or will his efforts to be someone else lead him to crash into his true self and hurt the people he cares about?

Danny and Derek both have it bad for Leia, but how will that affect their friendship.

[KyL416]

Allia "Alli" Bhandari - Grade 9 (14)
"Sav's Little Sister." "Our Little Genius." "Backwoods Bhandari". Alli is sick of labels. None of them fit. It's not surprising because Alli has never felt like she fits in anywhere. Not at home with her conservative parents who make her study six hours a night. Not at school in her gifted grade nine class where she feels like a mega-fraud. All Alli wants is a normal high school experience. Although she's not entirely sure what that is. She knows it includes way more fun and at least one cute boy (Alli is a little - okay, a lot - boy-crazy). And she knows she needs to deceive her parents to have it. Sometimes Alli goes too far in her quest to be like everyone else and it gets her into trouble. But she's always been able to get herself out of it - so far. Will Alli ever have the guts to tell her parents how she feels or will she be forced to live a dual life forever?

Sav Bhandari – Grade 11 (16)
Grade 11 is Sav's year. The handsome dude with a big heart loves rocking out with his band Studz and is so in love with his girl Anya. But when his little sister Alli joins the "Niner" gifted class at Degrassi – little does he know his party's about to be crashed.

Chantay Black – Grade 11 (17)
Chantay is all about knowing what's what at Degrassi. She loves to be in on all the latest dirt and doesn't hesitate to stir it up once in a while. She knows that holding and dispensing information is a very powerful position to be in. As a member of the Power Squad, she feels her place in the school hierarchy is pretty secure. She also wouldn't mind getting a boyfriend already... she's been patient but the hormones are getting the best of her!

Bruce The Moose – Grade 12 (18)
Bruce is very much enjoying being in Grade 12 and ruling the school with his buddy Derek but not in the nicest way. Bruce is a bully and enjoys using his position on the football team and his size to push everyone around. And no one enjoys the new "niner geeks" as much as Bruce The Moose. Frosh meat is so much fun!

Blue Chessex – Grade 11 (17)
New to Degrassi, Blue has a reputation for being a player, and could probably hook up with his choice of girls. But he's not at all about the notches on the belt. He has a code. You'll never find him trading locker room banter about any of his conquests. It's not about that for him. He's just a sensual guy who loves the female form – everything about them – the way they smell, their bodies, the way they talk, the way they look at the world. If you're ever looking for Blue, you can always try the art room where he's working on his latest piece.

Johnny DiMarco – Grade 11 (16)
Degrassi's mysterious bad boy with a dark past is back at school and is still a big bully. But Johnny's detached persona is taken to the test when sparks fly between him and one of Degrassi's grade nine girls. Will Johnny allow himself to be seen with a niner? Or will it destroy his cred?

Clare Edwards – Grade 9 (14)
Dating isn't on Clare's agenda. There are way more important things. But it was easier to avoid boys at her all-girls school. At Degrassi, they're everywhere. Clare isn't immune to crushes, she just tries to ignore them. She knows people think she's weird but she's not worried about fitting in. Clare has a strong moral compass and is puzzled when people don't do the right thing. But being the "good girl" definitely comes with its own set of challenges.

Darcy Edwards – Grade 12 (17)
Last year was the most difficult ever for Darcy. How does a Christian girl who's a big fan of abstinence deal with being roofie raped by a complete stranger that she'll never know? Going from Queen Bee to social outcast... purposefully isolating herself from everyone to hide the truth she's buried so deep. This year, she's determined to find her true self, even if it means leaving her true love, Peter.

K.C. Guthrie - Grade 9 (14)
Tall and athletic, K.C.'s appearance makes him the last teenager you'd expect to walk into a gifted class -- but here he is, ready to learn. With K.C.'s focus on academic achievement, he finds himself surrounded by an unlikely group of friends and a potential love interest. Will he be able to maintain a balance between his social and academic life and still be able to hide the dark secret from his past?

Derek Haig – Grade 12 (16)
Derek's been left behind by Danny and has turned to picking on younger kids to occupy his free time. Not open to change, Derek takes a dark turn this year. His insecurity on and off the football field leads him to hurting one of his own teammates. Will Derek's actions make him a hero among his teammates, or a villain? And will Danny, his one true friend, take his side or distance himself forever?

Mia Jones – Grade 11 (17)
This year Mom is looking after Izzy, giving Mia a chance to be a real teenager. But can Mia shed her Baby-Momma skin and be accepted by the cliquey Power Squad led by Holly J. With a new career as a top model, will this finally be her golden ticket to the top of the social pyramid and will getting to the top mean compromising herself and putting her new friendships on the line?

Anya MacPherson- Grade 11 (16)
Anya's stepping into her Power Squad uniform this year and cheering on her boyfriend Sav (she thinks he looks so cute in his football uniform!). She loves him so much and she doesn't want cultural differences to get in the way of their romance. While she's kinda side-stepped out of Holly J's overbearing shadow, her pony tail is still tied tight and her best friend is still totally in control. Will this be Anya's year to let down her hair and finally be herself?

Holly J Sinclair – Grade 11 (16)
Holly J – and that's Holly J, not just Holly, thanks – knows that in high school, having a power position is incredibly important. As new captain of the Power Squad and Student Council president, she's claimed the top position – and she's not going to give it up without a fight. Now that Holly J has it all, what will be next item on her extensive to-do list?

Riley Stavros – Grade 12 (18)
Riley is THE Alpha male attractive football player. But behind his apparent charm, dry humour, and self-confidence there is a potentially angry young man who harbours questions about his own sexuality. When Riley sees himself walking down the street, it is always with an attractive girl at his side. Being gay is definitely not part of the careful life plan he has spent a lot of time perfecting. Riley feels he can beat this thing with the same kind of determination he has brought to his weight training and football playing. But when Riley meets Peter he is thrown by the intensity of his attraction. Can he be friends with this guy or would it be wiser to back away altogether?

Peter Stone – Grade 12 (17)
With his mom in Regina and no room in his Dad's life – Peter has scored his own pad this year and it's awesome. Studz band practice, parties, and Wii playing spell out the good life. His mischievous past finally behind him, Peter's doing much better at school and is making some real friends. But with his true love Darcy leaving for Africa, will Peter be able to stay on the straight and narrow?

Danny Van Zandt – Grade 12 (16)
With Liberty finally graduated from Degrassi, Danny's making tracks on and off the field. As the star QB of the football team, he's quickly become one of Degrassi's newest hotties. He's separated himself from long-term "partner in stupidity", Derek and is finding his true self - as well as new friends in his band, Studz. Will Danny's new image get him some attention from some of Degrassi's ladies? And will Danny know how do deal with this attention from the opposite sex?

Jane Vaughn – Grade 12 (17)
Nothing you say can shock Jane. There's no joke or smart-assed remark she hasn't already made and isn't afraid to push the boundary just a little further. This year, with her boyfriend Spinner graduated, Jane decides to try something new. No one would ever think that wanting to play a little football could be so trying. Jane embraces tackling and playing rough with the boys but when she faces misogyny and violence off the field, from her own team mates and coach, how will Jane overcome the odds?

Connor – Grade 9 (14)
Connor is an intense guy. He has the ability to focus completely on one thing. Of course that thing is rarely what someone is saying to him. He's incredibly smart and has learned enough conventional responses to fit in most of the time. What neither Connor, nor the people around him know yet about him, is that he has an undiagnosed mild case of Aspergers Syndrome. He is good at weaving a long tale to distract others from some big mess he might have gotten himself into. And he is pretty good at getting himself into messes.

Leia – Grade 11 (16)
Shy and insecure, Leia arrives at Degrassi not knowing anyone. She hopes that her demeanour will be interpreted as cool and aloof. On the first day of school, she is befriended by Mia and the two are quickly inseparable until Leia is unable to tolerate the fast model lifestyle that Mia gravitates toward. To cover her insecurities, we discover that Leia begins fibbing a little, then a lot. It almost becomes pathological.

Lucas Valieri – Drop Out (17)
An unstable home life and a delinquent group of friends have led Lucas down many a dark path, though beneath his rough exterior, he means well. Short on attention-span and book smarts, most of Lucas' recreational pursuits find him at odds with either school authorities or the law. Never afraid to speak his mind, Lucas' sharp tongue gets him in as much trouble as his quick fists. However, he has a good heart, so if he can get away from his bad influences, he might actually make something of himself one day. Maybe.

Kelly Ashoona – Smithdale University (18)
A sweet guy with a disarming grin and a way with words, Kelly fast becomes friends with every girl in the dorm. The guys in the rez like Kelly too -- and not just because by error of the housing department he lives with three hot girls. Kelly is totally zen, plays guitar and ultimate frisbee, loves sports and movies, and carries himself with that comfortable, collegiate air that makes him so likeable and thus the ultimate wingman.

Jay Hogart – Mechanic (19)
Jay's always been a bad ass who's only looking out for number one but last year we saw a much softer side of Jay... a Jay that can be loving and sincere. So he replaced Manny's college demo reel with an x-rated one that he and Manny made. So he stole the company tow truck and landed in jail. So he stole the engagement ring back from the pawn shop. So maybe things don't change. Is Jay just trouble, or can he be redeemed?

Gavin "Spinner" Mason – The Dot Manager (19)
Spinner may not be the smartest kid from Degrassi, but he's got big post-grad plans for himself and girlfriend Jane. He's trying to get into Police College next year while Jane's doing pre-law but for the present will manage The Dot. After all the challenges he went through last year, overcoming cancer and finally graduating, nothing can stop Spinner from attaining his goals and achieving happiness... but sometimes Spinner is Spinner's worst enemy.

Emma Nelson – Smithdale University (18)
Emma has graduated and is off to Smithdale with her best friend Manny. Away from home and a small fish in a very large pond, Emma looks to bolster her confidence in some very unlikely ways. Embracing a more casual lifestyle, Emma hooks up with her roommate Kelly and finds herself involved in a whole new kind of extracurricular activity.

Manny Santos – Smithdale University (18)
Trying to suck the marrow out of this first year of university, Manny has very set plans as to how she and Emma will experience Smithdale. That Jay guy will not get back into her life. She's moving on and she's going to work very hard at being a disciplined drama student.


Jimmy Brooks – Hudson University (19)
Jimmy's finally in a good place. He's forgiven Spinner and has his best friend back. Jimmy's really come into his own and moving on with his life. Now that he's put aside his anger over the shooting, his future is bright. He is going to work at walking again and nothing will keep him and Trina apart. He has his eye on the prize.

Liberty Van Zandt – Smithdale University (18)
Liberty was Degrassi's resident academic golden girl so it is challenging to keep that up when off to first year university. The pressure to fit into college life proves difficult when Liberty's judgement becomes impaired and she lands on the front page of the school paper... naked! Will she be able to recover and become a functioning member of university life... and get her dignity back?

Archie "Snake" Simpson (35)
Snake had it tough last year when he had to win his way back into the hearts of his students after, against his better judgement, he provided comfort to Darcy, putting his entire career and life in jeopardy. When rumours of inappropriate behaviour circulated, Simpson was forced to leave school and was a complete mess. Now cleared of all suspicion, he must maintain a very clear path and concentrate on teaching. When the new Principal comes in and screws with the new gifted program, Snake feels he must step up... but carefully.

"The Shep" aka Principal Sheppard (40)
Degrassi's new principal "The Shep" Sheppard was everything that was wrong with Lakehurst. More interested in being loved by his students than giving them the best educational experience, The Shep favours the popular crowd and does everything to promote his image as "the party principal." The Shep supports the school's athletes at all costs, even at the expense of Degrassi's academic programs. Worst of all, in any kind of dispute, he sides with the popular crowd or former Lakehurst kids over the less socially comfortable students and even without provocation might pick on those he calls "special", in the hopes of "toughening them up for the real world."

[jaydeeeeee]

thanks for the synopses and character bios! i cant wait for the new season and new episodes!!

[KyL416]

Flip books were found on The N's site for the first seven episodes. Is that what we're looking at for them? Seven episodes and then they take their first break?

Seven episodes it is. There will be no new episode on Halloween, and then it will resume again with 3 episodes in November. After that, they'll resume in February with 808 and 809 airing together as a Valentine's "Movie"

[BonesIsHere]

Thanks for the info.

[Dirk06]

So long, Paige's Spirit Squad. Hello, Holly J's Power Squad!

[KyL416]

Episode 804
"Didn't We Almost Have It All"

According to CTV's listings, 804 has been renamed to "You Got It (The Right Stuff)"

[KyL416]

According to CTV's listings, 804 has been renamed to "You Got It (The Right Stuff)"

Correction again, "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" was the old title. The correct one is "'Didn't We Almost Have It All"