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Drake to Chronicle Degrassi Legacy at TIFF

Directed by Lisa Rideout, the film examines the series’ influence on teen drama before TIFF reveals its showtimes on August 12.

Overview

  • Degrassi: Whatever It Takes will world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival later this year.
  • The documentary is directed by Lisa Rideout and features Drake reflecting on his portrayal of Jimmy Brooks in 145 episodes from 2001 to 2009.
  • It explores the series’ cultural impact on teen drama and disability representation, focusing on Jimmy Brooks’s paralysis storyline.
  • Writer James Hurst recalls that Drake initially resisted the wheelchair arc and allegedly sent a law firm letter demanding his character’s injury be healed before embracing representation.
  • TIFF will announce screening times for the documentary by August 12 ahead of the festival’s September 4–14 run.