Degrassi creators Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn at Canada’s Walk of Fame gala 2023. Image: The Canadian Press
The long-running drama around Degrassi just got a new twist, but this one ends in resolution. The highly anticipated documentary Degrassi: Whatever It Takes will make its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend—despite a last-minute legal dispute.
Linda Schuyler, co-creator of the iconic teen franchise, had filed a lawsuit earlier this week to block the screening. She claimed the film contained “defamatory statements and innuendo” suggesting she built an empire that profited at the expense of young actors.
A quick settlement now clears the way for audiences to see the film as planned.
What Sparked the Dispute
The controversy centered on how the documentary portrays cast compensation during the early years of Degrassi. Several former cast members allege they were underpaid despite the show’s rising success.
Actor Dayo Ade, who played B.L.T. on Degrassi High, recalls struggling financially after the show. He worked odd jobs ranging from car rentals to security. “People think we were millionaires. Couldn’t be more wrong,” he says in the film.
Amanda Stepto, known to fans as Spike, recalls being paid “around $50 a day” during the 1980s run. She also points out that being on a non-union set meant the young actors lacked agents, lawyers, or residual protections.
Schuyler’s Response
Schuyler strongly disputed these accounts in her lawsuit and public statement. She argued that the cast received “generous compensation packages” that exceeded union rates at the time.
She also emphasized the steps taken to support young performers beyond their paychecks. According to her, producers set up a retirement fund and a scholarship foundation for the cast, providing resources for education and counselling.
“The cast was paid much more than $50 a day,” Schuyler said. “It was important to us to prepare them for success beyond the show.”
Settlement Terms
As part of the settlement, the documentary’s producers agreed to include additional context about cast compensation. However, this clarification will be added after the TIFF screenings. Other terms of the agreement remain undisclosed.
Schuyler appears in the documentary, sharing her memories of making the influential series, though she does not directly address the pay allegations on screen.
A Legacy Still Under the Spotlight
Degrassi remains one of television’s most groundbreaking teen dramas, earning Emmys and shaping pop culture for decades. But its legacy now carries difficult questions about how young performers were treated behind the scenes.
Reflecting in the film, Schuyler acknowledges mixed outcomes for former cast members. “Some have done well, others have felt disappointed. I’m sorry they feel that way, but I did the best I could with what we had.”
TIFF Premiere Goes On
Despite the brief legal battle, Degrassi: Whatever It Takes will premiere on Saturday, followed by additional screenings on Sunday. Festival programmers describe the documentary as an honest look at both the triumphs and challenges of the series.
For fans, it’s a rare chance to revisit the phenomenon that shaped generations, while also hearing candid voices from those who lived it.
