Degrassi’s Munro Chambers, Cristine Prosperi, and Luke Bilyk Preview New Episodes (Including the 300th)
“Being Canadian, it’s iconic. It’s like 90210 for the States. It’s a show that you grew up knowing… so to join a show like that, that’s been on for 32 years, it’s such a huge pleasure to be part of such an iconic show,” series star Munro Chambers said of working on Degrassi, which is coming up not only on new episodes this month but also its 300th episode ever. By Danielle TurchianoThree hundred episodes is a huge accomplishment for any series, let alone a teen series, but all along, Degrassi has been tackling the tough topics that other shows—regardless of demographic—shied away from. Right now its core cast includes a transgender character, a girl discovering bisexuality, a bipolar hoarder (Chambers), and a seemingly stereotypical jock who joined a fight club and is now suffering from residual head trauma.
“Every read-through, we’re always so shocked by what’s going to happen next. Degrassi can go as far as possible, and nothing’s really glamorous on Degrassi. We’re all regular kids wearing regular clothes, and I think that’s why kids relate to us as well,” Cristine Prosperi explained.
“For Imogen, her dad actually went through dementia this season…. One of my family members is going through dementia right now, so that really hit home for me. I was really proud to portray that story line and make that my own.”
Though the show isn’t building toward anything particularly momentous for the 300th episode to have it stand out or spotlighted, the stories the cast shared with Snakkle are certainly memorable and tune-in television in their own weekly way.
“We’re still trying to tackle new stuff…. There is something that we’re going to tackle that’s never been done. You will love it, and you will be shocked,” Chambers teased.
But that being said, old favorites are certainly returning, just with new twists. Adam (Jordan Todosey) will continue to weave his way through stories, including one with a very special guest star.
“In the upcoming season, we do a battle of the bands. Chaz Bono is guest-starring on the show. He helps Adam with a fuse, with a big story line,” Prosperi previewed. As fans of Degrassi know, Adam is transgender, so though Bono comes in to help him with a technical issue at the concert, his presence is important on a more widespread and emotional level.
And, of course, there will be no shortage of relationship drama either. Last we saw Drew (Luke Bilyk), he was really trying to prove a newfound maturity to his girlfriend, and Bilyk told us that attitude adjustment was going to continue.
“I think he’s done trying to prove to people that he’s finally a man—to everyone—to his mom, to his brother, to Bianca. I think he’s done trying to prove he’s good enough to other people; it’s to himself now, which is a pretty big step for him,” Bilyk said.
Chambers and Prosperi both added that their on-screen relationships pick back up pretty much where we left them recently too:
“I must say I do like Eli and Imogen together, but right now I’m happy to say that for Imogen and Fiona, we’re in a good place. Anything can happen, but right now… I hope we don’t break up!” Prosperi laughed.
“Imogen just wants someone to connect with and Fiona is that person. I think it’s so truthful. I think her and Fiona’s relationship is so honest, and there’s a lot of great trust in it. And they make really good friends, which is nice to see too! I just love ‘Fimogen’ right now.”
Chambers, on the other hand, was hoping to see his Eli a little less stable because playing a character who can’t control some of his compulsions challenges him as an actor but also challenges television in general in its portrayals of interesting and real characters.
“It’s interesting because there are so many things that go on in schools, and that’s amazing. We’re trying to bring up school issues and not glamorize it [but] put a spotlight on it and make it natural and relatable,” Chambers considered.
“It’s a real pleasure as an actor, because you get to tackle stuff that you wouldn’t get to do in kids’ TV.”
When you think about it, though, Degrassi is really tackling topics you don’t get to see on any TV. Constantly staying edgy and timely has allowed it longevity in a way many other shows can only dream of.
Degrassi returns on October 12 at 9 p.m.