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 notes

Students

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 school
  • Annie, background student
  • Avrianna, background student in a wheelchair
  • Vicky Friedland, background student
  • Vivian Wong, background student
  • Jyoti, background student, attends Susie's sleepover where Caitlin has a seizure
  • Mahmoud "Mack" Sama, background student, friends with Arthur and Alex
  • Mark, background student, footballer who later dates Amy
  • Jason Cox, the school's sports representative and captain of the boy's soccer team
  • Wai Lee, chosen for the swim race against the girl's team, along with Jason and Wheels
  • Joy Saint-Jean, background student, reprises her role in Degrassi: The Next Generation
  • Max, grade 6 advanced placement student, Scooter's friend
  • Meat & Stu, Dwayne's friends, school bullies
  • Nicole, background Borden High student, friends with Clutch and Paul
  • Glen, background Borden High student, friends with Clutch and Paul, later deals drugs to Shane
  • Mick, background Borden High student
  • Dave, background Borden High student, later calls BLT a racial slur
  • Faith, goth Borden High student, who tells Erica what Clutch's astrological sign is
  • Rainbow, background student, reprises her role in Degrassi: The Next Generation
  • Ricky, background student, friends with Alex, reprises his role in Degrassi: The Next Generation
  • David, background student
  • Michi Noguchi, background student, friends with Dorothy
  • Lily, background student, friends with Dorothy and Tessa
  • Casey, background student, friends with Alex
  • Trudi Owens, background student with red streaked hair, friends with Caitlin and Susie
  • Lois, background student, friends with Tabi
  • Grace, background student, friends with Tabi
  • Ralph, background student, friends with Snake and Tim
  • Sylvia, background student, friends with Claude
  • T.J., background student, friends with BLT
  • Cindy, captain of the girls' volleyball team who BLT leaves Michelle for
  • Sprinka, Cindy's friend
  • Dale, sexist jock who is interested in Lucy but clashes with her over use of the basketball court
  • Todd, Dale's friend, dates Tessa in ''School's Out''

    Adults

Minor supporting roles

  • Voula's parents
  • Rick's dad, who beats him
  • Joey's mom
  • Joey's dad
  • Swim coach, coaches the girls swimming team at Degrassi Junior High
  • Stephanie & Arthur's mom, a pharmacist
  • Frank Delacorte, L.D.'s dad, a mechanic
  • Spike's mom, who owns a hairdressing salon
  • Helen & John Wheeler, Wheels' adopted parents, who die in a car accident
  • Mike Nelson, Wheels' birth father, a drummer
  • Steven & Mary McKay, Shane's parents, a minister and his wife
  • Mr. Colby, substitute teacher and predator, who inappropriately touches Lucy, and later Susie
  • Liz's mom, a waitress
  • Caitlin's mom, vice-principal of another school
  • Caitlin's dad, teacher who cheats on his wife
  • Kathleen's mother, an alcoholic
  • Snake's parents
  • Wheels' grandparents, who take care of Wheels' after his adopted parents are killed
  • Kathleen'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'''

    Cast appearances

The Degrassi franchise includes its predecessor, The Kids of Degrassi Street, and its spin-offs Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, School's Out! ''Degrassi Talks, Degrassi: The Next Generation and Degrassi: Next Class. Several Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High'' cast members have appeared on multiple shows.