Degrassi: Whatever It Takes
| Degrassi: Whatever It Takes | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Lisa Rideout |
| Screenplay by | Lisa Rideout Celine Wong |
| Produced by | Carrie Mudd Erin Sharp |
| Starring | Linda Schuyler Kevin Smith Drake |
| Cinematography | Ann Tipper Lulu Wei Vinit Borrison |
| Edited by | Peter Denes Dave McMahon |
Production companies | Peacock Alley Entertainment WildBrain |
| Distributed by | WildBrain |
Release date |
|
Running time | 111 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
Degrassi: Whatever It Takes is a 2025 Canadian documentary film directed by Lisa Rideout.[1] It profiles the Degrassi franchise of teen drama television series, and includes interviews with producers, cast members and fans including co-creator Linda Schuyler, filmmaker Kevin Smith, and cast members Drake, 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.[2]
The film premiered in the Special Presentations lineup at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, 2025.[3]
Controversy
On September 8, Schuyler launched a lawsuit against the film's producers, seeking to halt the film's premiere on the grounds that it purportedly contained defamatory statements alleging that cast members of Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High were underpaid.[4] The lawsuit was settled by September 10, allowing the premiere to proceed, after the producers agreed to add extra context to the film clarifying the additional benefits that Schuyler arranged for the cast members, including a retirement fund and an educational scholarship foundation.[5]
References
- ^ Katherine Schaffstall, "Drake and More ‘Degrassi’ Stars Look Back at Highs and Lows of Teen Drama in ‘Whatever It Takes’ Trailer". The Hollywood Reporter, August 27, 2025.
- ^ Alex Hudson, "Remind Yourself of the Bottom Drake Started from with the 'Degrassi: Whatever It Takes' Documentary Trailer". Exclaim!, August 27, 2025.
- ^ Anthony D'Alessandro, "TIFF Galas & Presentations: World Premieres ‘Good Fortune’, ‘Nuremberg’, Sydney Sweeney Pic ‘Christy’, Angelina Jolie ‘Couture’; North American Debuts Guillermo del Toro's ‘Frankenstein’, Dwayne Johnson ‘Smashing Machine’". Deadline Hollywood, July 21, 2025.
- ^ "‘Degrassi’ co-creator settles lawsuit over TV series documentary screening at TIFF". CTV News, September 10, 2025.
- ^ Abby Hughes, "Degrassi co-creator settles lawsuit, TIFF premiere to go ahead as planned". CBC News, September 10, 2025.