Degrassi Reboot Axed by HBO Max

HBO Max's Degrassi reboot is no more. 

The previously announced revamp of the Degrassi franchise is done. According to a new report from the Wall Street Journal, the reboot of the popular franchise fell victim to content cuts at Warner Bros. Discovery. The series was said to be a "reprise of the original teen drama" centering on a group of students and teachers "living in the shadow of events that both bind them together and tear them apart." Lara Azzopardi (The Bold Type, Mary Kills People) and Julia Cohen (Riverdale, A Million Little Things) were set to showrun. 

"What excites us maybe the most about reviving this beloved franchise is turning it into a truly serialized one-hour drama," said Azzopardi and Cohen at the time the reboot was announced. They previously teamed up to write a Season 8 episode of Degrassi in 2009. "We’re honored to be given the opportunity to lead this evolution and bring this iconic series back into people’s homes."

HBO Max had ordered 10 episodes of the reboot, which was supposed to begin production in Toronto this summer and debut in 2023. The franchise kicked off in 1979 with The Kids of Degrassi Street and was followed by Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, Degrassi: The Next Generation, and Degrassi: Next Class. 

Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines and harboring dad-aged celebrity crushes. She was previously a reporter/producer at Decider and is a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski.