Image Credit: Netflix
After calling Netflix its international streaming home for a decade, all four seasons of the Canadian teen drama Degrassi: Next Class It is scheduled to leave Netflix globally in June 2026.
For fans of the long-running Canadian television franchise, this is going to be a tough pill to swallow. In 2015, when TeenNick and MTV Canada canceled the massively popular program Degrassi: The Next GenerationNetflix and Canada’s Family Channel intervened to save the franchise.
Rebranded as Degrassi: Next ClassIn early 2016, the series premiered globally on Netflix. It picks up where The Next Generation left off, with a new batch of Degrassi Community School students as well as returning favorites. Over the course of four seasons and 40 episodes, the show tackled the modern landscape of teen issues.
The series stars a talented young cast including Amanda Arcuri, Amir Bageria, Soma Bhatia, Jamie Bloch, Chelsea Clarke, Nikki Gold and Ricardo Hoyos. The fourth season dropped in July 2017, and for a long time, fans were anticipating future installments, whether in the form of Season 5 or otherwise. However, as we reported in March 2019, franchise veteran and frequent director Stefan Brogren officially dashed those hopes on Twitter, confirming that the show “ended too soon” and will not return.
hbo max reboot drama
This departure may actually feel like a long time coming for those who have followed the behind-the-scenes drama of the franchise.
In January 2022, a brand new 10-episode reboot was announced for HBO Max. Directed by showrunners Lara Azzopardi and Julia Cohen, the revival was set to introduce an entirely new, diverse group of Toronto teens. HBO Max also acquired the US streaming rights to The Next Generation, leading many to assume that Netflix would immediately lose The Next Generation. As we covered at the time, the Netflix licensing deal was still active, allowing the show to be secured on the streamer.
Unfortunately, following the chaotic Warner Bros. Discovery merger, the highly anticipated HBO Max reboot was abruptly canceled in November 2022 before a single frame was shot. With that project in the water, The Next Class remains, at least for now, the final canonical entry in the universe.
Although there are no new episodes on the horizon, the franchise has been back in the spotlight recently. Last September, the highly anticipated documentary film Degrassi: Whatever Premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
Directed by Lisa Rideout, the 111-minute documentary takes an in-depth look at the ups and downs of the teen drama franchise. It features interviews with series co-creator Linda Schuyler, filmmaker (and Degrassi super-fan) Kevin Smith, and a huge lineup of cast members including Drake, Shenae Grimes-Beach, Jake Epstein, Miriam MacDonald, Shane Kippel, and Stefan Brogren. If you’re planning a bittersweet Next Class farewell celebration this June, tracking down the documentary is an absolute must for any die-hard fan.
When is Degrassi: Next Class leaving Netflix?
all 40 episodes of Degrassi: Next Class It’s now confirmed, as we previously covered in our June roundup, and let’s hope for a bigger takedown in 2026, which is currently set to leave Netflix globally. 30 June 2026.
As is standard with Netflix removals, the exact time of departure is midnight Pacific Time on the date listed. This means your entire day of seeing the halls of Degrassi together will be your last 29 June 2026.
Why are “Netflix Originals” going away?
As we frequently document here at What’s on Netflix, the “Netflix Original” banner is often used for shows where Netflix has acquired exclusive international streaming rights for a certain number of years.
in the matter of Degrassi: Next ClassThe series was produced by Epitome Pictures (which was acquired by DHX Media, now known as WildBrain). Netflix and WildBrain entered into a long-term licensing agreement to distribute the show exclusively outside Canada.
Typically, these agreements last for five to ten years. Given that Next Class first debuted on the platform in 2016, it appears it was a standard 10-year exclusive licensing deal that has finally reached its expiration date.
Where will Degrassi: Next Class stream next?
There is a very bright ray of hope here indeed. Since the show is fully owned by WildBrain Distribution, it won’t be locked away in a vault forever.
WildBrain has leaned heavily toward FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) in recent years. In fact, if you go to platforms like pluto tv, TubiOr roku channelYou’ll often find the 24/7 Degrassi Channel streaming The Next Generation on a loop. It’s highly likely that once the Netflix exclusivity window closes, WildBrain will add Next Class to their Fast Channel rotation and upload the episodes to their official YouTube channels.
Will you re-watch Degrassi: Next Class before it leaves Netflix at the end of June? Have you had a chance to watch the ‘Whatever It Takes’ documentary yet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
