Degrassi: The Next Generation Season 7 Premieres Jan. 10 on CTV

From a CTV media release:

Rival students from neighbouring Lakehurst High invade the halls of Degrassi Community School in the super-sized seventh season of Degrassi: The Next Generation, the Gemini Award-winning drama series returning with a shocking two-episode premiere, Thursday, Jan. 10 at 8 and 8:30 p.m. ET on CTV (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times). Degrassi moves to its regular timeslot on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. ET beginning Jan. 14 on CTV. CTV continues to count down to the Season 7 premiere with “The Top 10 Hottest Degrassi Episodes of All Time,” airing weeknights now through December 31 at 7 p.m. ET.

With 24 brand-new episodes, Degrassi’s biggest season to date, Season 7 picks up in the middle of the school year – where past, present and new Degrassi students are faced with fierce competition, blossoming relationships and new hardships.

In the controversial, two-part, Season 7 premiere, entitled “Standing in the Dark” (Thursday, Jan. 10 at 8 and 8:30 p.m. ET), the corridors of Degrassi have become a pressure cooker. With an unexpected influx of students from Lakehurst, Degrassi students find themselves facing old enemies and new friends. But Darcy has her own problems to worry about. In her final semester of Grade 11, the God-loving Spirit Squad Captain finds herself being pulled in two different directions. When she chooses a secret weekend getaway with bad-boy boyfriend Peter over the objections of her parents, Darcy quickly finds herself in an explosive, dangerous situation that will impact her life forever.

In the season’s third episode, entitled “It’s Tricky” (Monday, Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET), Ashley decides to pursue her own music – starting with a performance at the Lakehurst-Degrassi talent mixer – after seeing Craig’s newly released album on the shelves at the record store. She encourages Jimmy to rap on the track she’s recording, provided he does it her way. Jimmy only wants to support his girlfriend, so when her school performance goes downhill fast, he can’t help but intervene. Their spontaneous duet makes the crowd go wild, and it looks like this could be the start of a lucrative musical partnership.

“The evolution of Degrassi continues with the addition of talented young Canadian actors to its already strong cast,” said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. “With new faces and relevant storylines, Degrassi Season 7 holds true to the colourful and entertaining stories that our audiences have come to expect from this groundbreaking series.”

“With the infusion of the new students from neighbouring Lakehurst High into Degrassi this season, our writers and actors have been able to keep the storylines as fresh as they were in season one,” said Linda Schuyler, Executive Producer and CEO, Epitome Pictures Inc. “From date rape to dealing with cancer, I am very proud of how the series continues to tackle the tough issues that teens are confronting every day.”

Degrassi Top 10 Marathon
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As previously announced, CTV continues to air “The Top 10 Hottest Degrassi Episodes of All Time,” Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. ET on CTV, with the No.1 episode airing New Year’s Eve, Monday, December 31 at 7 p.m. ET. The countdown began Dec. 18 with “Venus, Part 1” where Manny appears topless on camera, and continued Wednesday with “Redemption Song” where Spinner was forced to choose between his rebellious friends and a relationship without sex. From inappropriate online photos to even more scandalous hook-ups, Degrassi fans will be able to predict which episode will be the No.1 episode of all time by voting online at degrassi.ctv.ca. At the top of each “Top 10” episode, Tanya Kim hosts eTalk “sneak peeks” with Degrassi cast members Aubrey Graham (Jimmy Brooks), Nina Dobrev (Mia Jones) and Shenae Grimes (Darcy Edwards) that provide insight into that night’s episode and the Season 7 premiere.

Degrassi on iTunes
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True to its groundbreaking legacy, episodes from previous seasons of Degrassi: The Next Generation are now available from the iTunes Store in Canada (www.itunes.ca). Episodes from Season 7 will be made available the day after broadcast. Degrassi joins other original CTV programs on iTunes including Corner Gas, Instant Star and Robson Arms.

About Degrassi on The CTV Broadband Network
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Following its television premiere, Episodes No.701 & 702 will be made available on demand on The CTV Broadband Network at CTV.ca, Friday, Jan. 11 at 9 a.m. ET. Then, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 15, each subsequent episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation Season 7 will be made available on demand following its television broadcast on Tuesday at 9 a.m. ET. Degrassi also extends its brand with 16, new, scripted webisodes to complement Season 7, along with 14 behind the scenes extras, all available on demand on The CTV Broadband Network. Five Degrassi character spots, revolving around cast and where they’ve experienced over the years, will also be available mid-January.

About Season 7
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A fire at rival school Lakehurst, the school of JT’s killer, forces many of its students into the halls of Degrassi with explosive results. Amidst the newfound clutter and chaos, Spinner and Darcy deal with dark, personal tragedies, Jimmy and Ashley test their love, and Emma and Manny explore new, surprising relationships – all while hurtling toward graduation. New students struggle to find their places in the school, leading to violence and tears, but also to healthy competition and new friendships.

At the university house, the gang gets a new roommate, and strays further from the safety of Degrassi Community School. Ellie and Marco discover that exploring their new freedom comes with dire consequences, while Paige, fresh from flaming out of school, lands a great new job, but quickly learns the demands of the real world.

Eight talented young actors join the cast of Degrassi this season. New series regulars include: Raymond Ablack (The Lion King) as Sav, the tall and attractive, but naive teen who has some growing up to do; Charlotte Arnold (Naturally, Sadie, Custody of the Heart)) as Holly J., the heir to the popular girl’s throne; Paula Brancati (Dark Oracle, The Blobheads) as Jane, who likes to be as close to mortal danger as she can be while still living to brag about it; Mazin Elsadig (The Perfect Man) as Damian, Lakehurst’s resident overachieving academic and Student Council President; Marc Minardi (Ace Lightning) as Lucas, whose recreational pursuits find him at odds with either school authorities or the law; Samantha Munro (Falcon Beach, Would Be Kings) as Anya, who somehow ended up in the cool crowd when school began; Scott Paterson (Knights of South Bronx) as Johnny, the street-wise bully; and Nathaniel Stephenson (Heartstopper) as Griffin, the music producing, event-planning in-the-know kind of guy.

Returning for Season 7 from the high school class are Shenae Grimes as Darcy; 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; Melissa McIntyre as Ashley; and Cassie Steele as Manny. Returning graduates are Lauren Collins as Paige; Adamo Ruggiero as Marco; Steve Belford as Jesse; Deanna Casaluce as Alex; Stacey Farber as Ellie. Returning classic cast members are regulars Stefan Brogren as Snake and Amanda Stepto as Spike, with a special appearance by audience favourite Stacie Mistysyn as Caitlin.