List of Degrassi characters (1987–1992)
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
;Cast notesStudents
Primary characters
The following characters receive top billing in at least one episode:Secondary characters
The following characters feature prominently throughout the show, although never receive top billing:Minor supporting roles
Hank, Joey's partner-in-crime, bullies Arthur on his first day at schoolAnnie, background studentAvrianna, background student in a wheelchairVicky Friedland, background studentVivian Wong, background studentJyoti, background student, attends Susie's sleepover where Caitlin has a seizureMahmoud "Mack" Sama, background student, friends with Arthur and AlexMark, background student, footballer who later dates AmyJason Cox, the school's sports representative and captain of the boy's soccer teamWai Lee, chosen for the swim race against the girl's team, along with Jason and WheelsJoy Saint-Jean, background student, reprises her role in Degrassi: The Next GenerationMax, grade 6 advanced placement student, Scooter's friendMeat & Stu, Dwayne's friends, school bulliesNicole, background Borden High student, friends with Clutch and PaulGlen, background Borden High student, friends with Clutch and Paul, later deals drugs to ShaneMick, background Borden High studentDave, background Borden High student, later calls BLT a racial slurFaith, goth Borden High student, who tells Erica what Clutch's astrological sign isRainbow, background student, reprises her role in Degrassi: The Next GenerationRicky, background student, friends with Alex, reprises his role in Degrassi: The Next GenerationDavid, background studentMichi Noguchi, background student, friends with DorothyLily, background student, friends with Dorothy and TessaCasey, background student, friends with AlexTrudi Owens, background student with red streaked hair, friends with Caitlin and SusieLois, background student, friends with TabiGrace, background student, friends with TabiRalph, background student, friends with Snake and TimSylvia, background student, friends with ClaudeT.J., background student, friends with BLTCindy, captain of the girls' volleyball team who BLT leaves Michelle forSprinka, Cindy's friendDale, sexist jock who is interested in Lucy but clashes with her over use of the basketball courtTodd, Dale's friend, dates Tessa in ''School's Out''Adults
Minor supporting roles
Voula's parents Rick's dad, who beats himJoey's mom Joey's dad Swim coach, coaches the girls swimming team at Degrassi Junior HighStephanie & Arthur's mom, a pharmacistFrank Delacorte, L.D.'s dad, a mechanicSpike's mom, who owns a hairdressing salon Helen & John Wheeler, Wheels' adopted parents, who die in a car accidentMike Nelson, Wheels' birth father, a drummerSteven & Mary McKay, Shane's parents, a minister and his wifeMr. Colby, substitute teacher and predator, who inappropriately touches Lucy, and later SusieLiz's mom, a waitressCaitlin's mom, vice-principal of another schoolCaitlin's dad, teacher who cheats on his wifeKathleen's mother, an alcoholicSnake's parents Wheels' grandparents, who take care of Wheels' after his adopted parents are killedKathleen's father Melanie's mom Stephanie & Arthur's dad Michelle's mom Michelle's dad Diana's mom BLT's dad Gym coach, teaches physical education at Degrassi High- '''Geography teacher'''