Sorry Degrassi fans, it’s back to the reruns.
Back in January, we were excited to report that HBO Max was hard at work bringing a new version of Canada’s classic teen drama series Degrassi to life. Unfortunately, now the planned series has been scrapped as a part of the cuts made after the Warner Bros./Discovery merger.
The new series was set to follow a new group of students at Degrassi High “living in the shadow of events that both bind them together and tear them apart.” Lara Azzopardi (The Bold Type) and Julia Cohen (Riverdale, A Million Little Things) were set to serve as showrunners.
Over the years, Degrassi has had several queer characters, including Marco, Adam, Paige, Riley, Zoe, and Fiona. It was expected that this new version would also include LGBTQ+ students.
This is just another in the ever-growing list of canceled HBO Max projects that would’ve featured queer characters. When the merger happened, WB announced it would cut 70 percent of production staff at HBO Max, effectively ending scripted original content on the streamer.
Some of the canceled projects include the Batgirl movie starring Leslie Grace and Brendan Fraser which was supposed to introduce trans character Alicia Yeoh into the DCEU, the kid’s cartoon Little Ellen, and lesbian landlord period drama Gentleman Jack.
Additionally, Greg Berlanti’s live-action Green Lantern show which has been long gestating at the streamer has been retooled. While it was originally going to focus on a large group of lanterns — including gay superhero Alan Scott, the first hero to wield the Green Lantern ring — the show has been refocused on John Stewart, one of DC’s first Black superheroes.
Thankfully, some queer shows like Our Flag Means Death, Peacemaker, and the Harley Quinn animated series are all still making new episodes for the streamer.
RELATED | Here’s the First Trailer for HBO Max’s New Velma Adult Animated Show
