The following is a list of characters from Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High, the second and third entries of the Degrassi television franchise created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood.
Degrassi Junior High aired on the CBC on from 18 January 1987 to 27 February 1989, and centres around an ethnically and economically diverse group of adolescents attending the fictional Degrassi Junior High School in east end Toronto, as they deal with various issues including teenage pregnancy, abuse, and sexuality.
Degrassi High aired on the CBC from 6 November 1989 to 18 February 1991 and follows most of the same characters in high school, as they deal with topics such as abortion, AIDS, and death. This was followed in 1992 by the made-for-television film School's Out, which followed the students post-graduation.
The show followed a rotating "repertory company" model, in which minor characters and extras may have had their roles expanded, and major characters may be relegated to the background on occasion. For example, Christine "Spike" Nelson, a major character in the series whose child, Emma, influenced the development of Degrassi: The Next Generation, began as an extra with no speaking lines.
Cast timeline
Main cast (first billing at least once in the series or otherwise featured prominently) Supporting cast (repertory cast members in background or with secondary storylines) Guest star (brief or uncredited appearance) ActorCharacterDegrassi Junior HighDegrassi HighSchool's Out!12345 Main characters Nicole Stoffman Stephanie Kaye colspan="2" colspan="4" Niki Kemeny Voula Grivogiannis colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="4" Pat MastroianniJoey Jeremiah colspan="6" Duncan WaughArthur Kobalewscuy colspan="5" colspan="1" Siluck SaysanasyYick Yu colspan="5" colspan="1" Stefan BrogrenArchie "Snake" Simpson colspan="6" Sarah CharlesworthSusie Rivera colspan="2" colspan="4" Neil HopeDerek "Wheels" Wheeler colspan="6" Billy ParrottShane McKay colspan="3" colspan="1" colspan="2" Anais GranofskyLucy Fernandez colspan="6" Angela & Maureen DeiseachErica & Heather Farrell colspan="5" colspan="1" Sara BallingallMelanie Brodie colspan="5" colspan="1" Rebecca HainesKathleen Mead colspan="5" colspan="1" Craig DriscollRick Munro colspan="2" colspan="4" Stacie MistysynCaitlin Ryan colspan="6" Amanda CookLorraine "L.D." Delacorte colspan="4" colspan="2" Amanda SteptoChristine "Spike" Nelson colspan="5" colspan="1" Irene CourakosAlexa Pappadopoulos colspan="1" colspan="4" colspan="1" Michael CarrySimon Dexter colspan="1" colspan="4" colspan="1" Cathy KeenanLiz O'Rourke colspan="1" colspan="4" colspan="1" Darrin BrownDwayne Myers colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="1" Dayo AdeBryant Lester "B.L.T." Thomas colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="3" colspan="1" Maureen McKayMichelle Accette colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="3" colspan="1" Chrissa ErodotouDiana Economopoulos colspan="1" colspan="2" colspan="2" colspan="1" David Armin-ParcellsClaude Tanner colspan="3" colspan="2" colspan="1" John IoannouAlex Yankou colspan="4" colspan="1" colspan="1" L. Dean IfillBasil "Bronco" Davis colspan="3" colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="1" Kirsti BourneTessa Campanelli colspan="2" colspan="3" colspan="1" Supporting charactersDan WoodsMr. Daniel Raditch colspan="5" colspan="1" Michelle GoodeveMs. Karen Avery colspan="4" colspan="2" Deborah LobbanDoris Bell colspan="3" colspan="3" Keith WhiteTim O'Connor colspan="5" colspan="1" Tyson TalbotJason Cox colspan="1" colspan="5" Ken HungWai Leecolspan="2" colspan="4" Danah-Jean BrownTrish Skye colspan="3" colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="1" Arlene LottNancy Kramer colspan="5" colspan="1" Christopher CharlesworthScott "Scooter" Webstercolspan="1" colspan="4" colspan="1" Kyra LevyMaya Goldbergcolspan="1" colspan="4" colspan="1" Trevor CummingsBartholomew Bondcolspan="2" colspan="3" colspan="1" Michael BlakePaulcolspan="2" colspan="1" colspan="3" Steve BedernjakClutchcolspan="2" colspan="3" colspan="1" Annabelle WaughDorothycolspan="2" colspan="3" colspan="1" Sara HolmesAllison Huntercolspan="2" colspan="3" colspan="1" Jacy HunterAmy Holmescolspan="2" colspan="3" colspan="1" Roger MontgomeryMr. Garciacolspan="2" colspan="1" colspan="3" Andy ChambersLuke Matthewscolspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="3" colspan="1" George ChakerNickcolspan="3" colspan="2" colspan="1" Michele Johnson-MurrayTabicolspan="3" colspan="2" colspan="1" Krista HoustonJoanne Rutherfordcolspan="3" colspan="2" colspan="1" Adam DavidMr. Jim Walfishcolspan="3" colspan="2" colspan="1" Byrd DickensScott Smithcolspan="3" colspan="2" colspan="1" Vincent WalshPatrickcolspan="3" colspan="2" colspan="1" Marsha FergusonCindycolspan="4" colspan="1" colspan="1"
Cast notes
Students Primary characters The following characters receive top billing in at least one episode: Character name Portrayed by Seasons featured Stephanie Kaye Nicole Stoffman 1–2Stephanie Kaye was born as Stephanie Kobalewsky in 1973. After her parents' divorce, she took her mother's maiden name Kaye. Popular, beautiful, but naive, Stephanie was the school president of Degrassi Junior High. She reinvented her image for grade 8 to become more "mature", arriving at school in relatively conservative apparel before changing into something provocative in the school's bathroom. She could be stuck up and selfish, which caused a student revolt in the season one finale Revolution, after she promotes Joey to sports rep just to make Wheels' jealous.
Stephanie was one of the most notorious characters in the Degrassi franchise, as well as one of the most controversial. Her sexualized image and apparent disregard for self-respect was a heavy storyline in the show's first two seasons. Later, she became suicidal and battled depression after being rejected by Simon for Alexa, and during her parents' custody battle. In season three, Stephanie was said to have gone to private school in Europe after her mother wins the lottery. In reality, actress Stoffman left the show to star in the sitcom Learning the Ropes with Lyle Alzado.
Stephanie appeared in 22 episodes. She receives top billing in the episodes "Kiss Me Steph" (1.1), "The Big Dance" (1.2), "Best Laid Plans" (1.7), "What a Night" (1.9), "Revolution" (1.13) and "Dog Days" (2.9). The character is the center of the 2nd Degrassi novelization, Stephanie Kaye, written by Ken Roberts and released in 1988. Nicole Stoffman was nominated for the Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Continuing Dramatic Role at the 1987 Gemini Awards for her role as Stephanie Kaye. Arthur Kobalewsky Duncan Waugh 1–5Arthur is Stephanie's younger brother. On his first day at school, he is rejected by his more popular-conscious sister, then trapped in the storage closet by Joey before being rescued by Yick, who becomes his best friend. Arthur is nerdy and socially awkward, with many of his storylines revolving around his struggles to fit in, as well as his sexual awakening, such as an interest in pornography, getting wet dreams and a unrequited crush on Caitlin. His friendship with Yick becomes strained when he comes into wealth after his mother wins the lottery, and later in high school when Yick becomes friends with Luke and falls in with an older, druggier crowd. Although he does not appear, he is mentioned in a deleted scene by Yick in Degrassi: The Next Generation, who shares that they are still friends and have set up a web design company together. Arthur appeared in 65 episodes. He receives top billing in the episodes "The Experiment" (1.3), "Season's Greetings" (3.4), "Making Whoopee" (3.13) and "Dream On" (4.4). Rick Munro Craig Driscoll 1–2Rick is the school bad boy, who has a criminal record and is repeating Grade 7. When Joey goes to his house to buy a denim jacket, he discovers Rick is being secretly physically abused by his father. After child services get involved, Rick is sent to live with his older brother Frank and appears much happier. He shows a romantic interest in Caitlin, joining her environmental action committee to get close to her, although their relationship never gets off the ground. Later, he helps Kathleen as she struggles with her alcoholic mother. He is never seen or mentioned again after the second season. Rick appeared in 18 episodes. He receives top billing in the episode "The Cover-Up" (1.4). Melanie Brodie Sara Ballingall 1–5Melanie is an awkward, insecure girl with braces who is eager to grow up. Joey takes advantage of this by selling her "drugs" (that are actually Vitamin C pills), and later embarrasses her at the big swim match between the boys and the girls by making fun of her flat chest. Melanie has a huge crush on Snake, and while he returns her feelings, their attempts to date throughout the series always end in disaster, first when she lies to Yick and is caught out when they all end up at the same movie theater together, and then when she steals $20 from her mother for a Gourmet Scum concert ticket and is grounded.
Melanie is best friends with Kathleen, and she tries to support her through her various troubles, such as her alcoholic mother, her eating disorder and her abusive relationship with Scott. However, when she experiments with pot and gets too stoned at Diana's slumber party, she exposes Kathleen's secrets to the rest of the friend group, ending their friendship for good. Melanie appeared in 56 episodes. She receives top billing in the episodes "The Great Race" (1.5) and "Twenty Bucks" (3.10). The character is the center of the 5th Degrassi novelization, Melanie, written by Susie Nielsen and released in 1989. Caitlin Ryan Stacie Mistysyn 1–5 Caitlin is a smart and passionate student, known for her strong opinions on feminism, the environment and animal rights. She is epileptic and has seizures without her medication. Caitlin initially questions her sexual identity when she has dreams about her teacher Ms. Avery, before developing feelings for Rick, and then entering an on-again, off again relationship with Joey.
In high school, she dumps Joey for Claude Tanner, a social activist who shares her political views. However, they break up when Caitlin is left to take the fall when they get caught spray painting a nuclear plant. The next year, she becomes estranged from her parents and moves in with her brother Patrick when her father's infidelity is exposed. Later, Claude commits suicide, and Caitlin and Joey reconcile.
In School's Out, Caitlin graduates high school early, loses her virginity to Joey and accepts his engagement proposal. However, they break up after she discovers his infidelity (leading to the infamous line, "You were fucking Tessa Campanelli?"). Caitlin goes on to become a world famous journalist and host of Ryan's Planet, returning in a recurring role through the first few seasons of Degrassi: The Next Generation.
Caitlin appeared in 57 episodes. She receives top billing in the episodes "Rumor Has It" (1.6), "Smokescreen" (1.10), "Stage Fright" (2.5), "Censored" (2.10), "The Whole Truth" (3.7), "All in a Good Cause" (4.11), "Stressed Out" (4.15) and "Showtime" (5.11). The character is the center of the 8th Degrassi novelization, Caitlin, written by Catherine Dunphy and released in 1990. Stacie Mistysyn hosts the Degrassi Talks special on sexuality. Stacie Mistysyn reprises her role for 69 episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation. Stacie Mistysyn previously appeared as Lisa Canard for 17 episodes of The Kids of Degrassi Street. Lorraine "L.D." Delacorte Amanda Cook 1–4L.D. is the tomboy daughter of a car mechanic, who regularly calls out the sexism of her male classmates. Her mother died of cancer when she was a child, and she has had a fear of hospitals ever since. Later, she becomes best friends with Lucy, and develops a crush on Wheels, although nothing ever really happens between them.