‘It was just a smaller world back then’
I’m ecstatic. It’s a new step for Degrassi.
If you don’t know who Snake is, you probably didn’t grow up in Canada.
The much-loved Degrassi character helped usher countless Canadian teens through their angstridden, hormone-fuelled high school years, portraying a regular Toronto teen navigating relationships, stress and monotonous dayto-day life at Degrassi High in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The show ended in 1991 but repeats kept audiences hooked. By 2001, Snake was back as Archie Simpson, Degrassi’s dad-figure and teacher-turned-principal in Degrassi: The Next Generation, bringing in a new crop of fans.
The Star caught up with actor Stefan Brogren — a producer and director on the show — Tuesday, hours after news broke that a fifth incarnation, called Degrassi: Next
Class, will debut in January.
How do you feel about Degrassi continuing? What can viewers expect from the new show?
We’re really trying to go back to the root of Degrassi, which is recognizing yourself in the characters and in the storyline. Where Degrassi shines is the stories that are about the real trials and tribulations of getting through your high school years.
Will you act on the new show?
I think there’s a definite possibility that Mr. Simpson will be returning as some sort of individual. But there’s an uphill battle for him. In July (during the 14th season), you’ll find out what happens.
How are challenges facing teens today different from what you faced?
It was just a smaller world back then. We didn’t have the Internet to go on to find out what the hell this AIDS epidemic was. I don’t think Joey Jeremiah was looking at the paper every day saying, “I’d love to hear what this new disease is.” Their world was Degrassi — that’s where they got their information. Today, they’re dealing with the World Wide Web. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have to deal with social media.
What was it like to be a teen actor in the ’80s and ’90s?
It was awesome. Everyone was on
Degrassi. I don’t know how anyone gets impressed with Degrassi if you live in Toronto because you’ve got to know someone who was involved with the show. We had so much fun. But now it must be very scary (being a young Degrassi celebrity). I’m glad that I had the privacy I had back then. There are hate sites for them.
Which Degrassi actor are you closest with today?
It’s never the same person. We’re all on Facebook together so we see when someone’s had a baby or getting married. Anais Granofsky (Lucy in the original shows) lives around the cor- ner from me. She’s got an army of children. When we see each other we’re like, “What’s up!”
Which Degrassi alumnus are you most proud of?
There’s the obvious — what Aubrey Graham (now rapper Drake) has done is quite incredible — but it’s so hard to say. I’m so proud of how Nina Dobrev holds herself on Vampire Diaries. I think Aislinn (Paul), who plays Clare, is one of the finest actors I’ve ever had the joy of watching. There’s also that joy of acting with Pat Mastroianni (who played Joey Jeremiah). I feel like I’m cheating if I pick just one. Are you and Snake the same person? How are you different?
I have no interest in teaching children because they’re maniacs. I have so much respect for people that are willing to put their lives in harm’s way to deal with teenagers. But I think Simpson (Snake) would express himself the same way I express myself as far as how he loves Degrassi. In some ways I’m not even aware how much I am like Simpson.
What’s one thing people don’t know about Snake?
He secretly loves metal music. What’s the strangest place you’ve been recognized?
Paris. Argentina.
What do people say when they recognize you?
It’s amazing the amount of people who go, “Do you know how important that show was to me?” And every once and a while someone tells you, “You saved my life.”
Why does the show continue to resonate with audiences?
You can watch Degrassi at 35 with humiliation and remember that pain you had when you were 17 years old. You can watch it as a peer in high school and go “I wish that was me,” or “Thank God that wasn’t me.” And you can watch as someone who hasn’t got to high school yet and go, “Please tell me some of this is true and some of this isn’t. Because I really want friends like that and I really don’t want to get an STD.” This interview has been edited for clarity and condensed for length.