"Whatever it takes! I know I can make it through!"
If those words just played in your head with a pop-rock beat, you're likely part of the generation that grew up on Degrassi: The Next Generation. The Whatever It Takes cast wasn't just a group of actors; for many of us, they were the classmates we didn't have to share a locker with. They navigated the messy, often cringe-worthy reality of puberty, school shootings, teenage pregnancy, and the literal rise of a global hip-hop superstar.
Looking back at the original lineup from that 2001 premiere, it's wild to see how much things have changed. Some stayed in the limelight. Others basically vanished into normal civilian lives.
The Drake Factor: From Aubrey Graham to Global Icon
We have to start with Jimmy Brooks. Honestly, back in 2002, nobody could have predicted that the kid in the wheelchair would become the biggest rapper on the planet. Aubrey Graham played Jimmy for eight seasons. He was the basketball star whose life changed forever after the Rick Murray shooting incident—one of the most harrowing arcs in Canadian television history.
Drake hasn't forgotten his roots, though. Remember the "I'm Upset" music video from 2018? That was essentially a massive high school reunion for the Whatever It Takes cast. He spent a fortune getting everyone from Ephraim Ellis (Rick) to Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith back into the hallowed halls of the fake Degrassi Community School. It was pure nostalgia bait, and it worked perfectly.
Drake’s trajectory is the ultimate outlier. Most teen drama stars hope for a steady gig on a procedural show. Drake ended up with five Grammys and a net worth that could probably buy the entire city of Toronto.
The Emma Nelson Legacy: Miriam McDonald
Miriam McDonald was the glue. As Emma Nelson—the daughter of original Degrassi Junior High legend Spike—she carried the weight of the franchise on her shoulders. Emma was the moral compass, even when that compass pointed toward some really questionable decisions (the purple hair phase, anyone?).
After the show, Miriam didn't chase the Hollywood blockbuster life as aggressively as some might expect. She’s done voiceover work and appeared in several TV movies and shows like Lost Girl and Orphan Black. Nowadays, she’s also known for her fitness and yoga content. She seems remarkably grounded. It’s a stark contrast to the chaotic life Emma lived on screen.
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The Breakout Successes: Nina Dobrev and Shenae Grimes
While the "Original 14" get most of the nostalgia, the cast members who joined a few seasons later often saw the biggest "mainstream" success in the States.
Nina Dobrev (Mia Jones) is the prime example. She played a teen mom on Degrassi before jumping ship to lead The Vampire Diaries. That move turned her into a household name. Then you have Shenae Grimes, who played Darcy Edwards. She went from the Christian girl struggling with trauma on Degrassi to the lead of the 90210 reboot.
It’s interesting to note that Degrassi served as a sort of "finishing school" for Canadian talent. The work ethic required to film 20+ episodes a year on a tight budget prepared them for the grueling schedules of American network TV.
The Stars Who Chose a Different Path
Not everyone wanted to stay under the hot lights. Take Jake Goldsbie, who played Toby Isaacs. Toby was the quintessential nerd, the guy who was always there but rarely got the girl. In real life, Jake moved more into the sports media world. He’s worked behind the scenes in digital media and podcasting, proving there is life after being the "best friend" character.
Then there’s Daniel Clark, who played the bad boy Sean Cameron. Sean was the guy every girl wanted to fix. Clark eventually transitioned into news and production, even working as a digital producer for ABC News. Seeing Sean Cameron in a suit reporting on real-world events is a trip for anyone who remembers his bleach-blonde hair and leather jacket.
Why the Whatever It Takes Cast Feels Different
Most teen shows cast 25-year-olds to play 15-year-olds. Dawson’s Creek did it. Gossip Girl did it. Degrassi didn't. When you look at the Whatever It Takes cast in Season 1, they look like actual children. They have bad skin. They have awkward braces. They wear clothes that look like they actually came from a mid-range mall in Ontario.
This authenticity is why the show stuck. When Paige Michalchuk (played by Lauren Collins) dealt with her sexuality or her assault, it felt real because she looked like the girl sitting next to you in math class.
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Lauren Collins and Adamo Ruggiero
Speaking of Lauren Collins, she has remained a staple of the Canadian entertainment scene. She’s hosted shows, acted in films like Take the Lead, and remains close friends with Adamo Ruggiero (Marco Del Rossi).
Adamo’s portrayal of Marco was groundbreaking. In the early 2000s, seeing a gay teen character whose storyline wasn't just a "very special episode" but a multi-season journey of coming out and finding love was massive. Adamo has since become an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has hosted various programs, including The Next Star.
The Darker Reality of Child Stardom
It wasn't all red carpets and reunions. Being part of the Whatever It Takes cast meant growing up in the public eye during the birth of social media.
Cassie Steele, who played Manny Santos, has been very open about the pressures of the show. Manny went through everything: the "thong" incident, an abortion, heated rivalries. Steele has shifted her focus largely to music and voice acting (she was originally cast as the lead in Raya and the Last Dragon before a creative shift).
Technical Details: The Production Behind the People
The show was filmed at Epitome Pictures’ studios in North York, Toronto. This wasn't a high-budget Hollywood set. The actors often did their own hair and makeup in the early days. This lack of "gloss" contributed to the show's E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) in the eyes of its audience. We trusted them because they weren't too polished.
- Executive Producers: Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn.
- Original Run: 2001–2015 (for the Next Generation era).
- Total Episodes: Over 300 for TNG alone.
Schuyler’s philosophy was always "heads up," meaning the show looked at issues directly rather than talking down to kids. This required a cast that could handle heavy scripts without being melodramatic.
Where Can You See Them Now?
If you're looking to catch up with the Whatever It Takes cast today, Instagram is your best bet, as many are still active in the "Degrassi-verse" through various conventions.
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- Stefan Brogren (Snake): He’s basically the keeper of the flame. He moved from acting to directing and producing many episodes of the later seasons.
- Melissa McIntyre (Ashley Kerwin): She mostly stepped away from acting to pursue a more private life, which is a common trend for many of the younger stars who realized the industry wasn't for them.
- Christina Schmidt (Terri MacGregor): She became a very successful plus-size model, proving that the show’s message of body positivity had real-world legs.
The Enduring Impact of the Theme Song
The phrase "Whatever it takes" isn't just a lyric; it became a mantra for the show's fans. It represented the resilience of the characters. When we search for the Whatever It Takes cast, we aren't just looking for IMDb credits. We’re looking for proof that the kids who went through all that "drama" turned out okay.
For the most part, they did.
Whether it’s Drake dominating the charts or Miriam McDonald teaching a yoga class, the legacy of the 2001 cast remains intact. They were the first generation to deal with the internet, the first to tackle modern social issues on a global scale, and the first to show us that high school is something you survive, not just attend.
Real Actions for Degrassi Fans
If you're feeling nostalgic, don't just scroll through old photos.
Check out the "I'm Upset" music video for the ultimate easter egg hunt. Every single person in that video is a former cast member or crew member.
You can also find most of the original series on YouTube or streaming platforms like Max (depending on your region). Watching the pilot episode "Mother and Child Reunion" now is a fascinating time capsule. You'll see the 12-year-old versions of people who are now in their late 30s.
Look into the "Degrassi Talks" series if you want to see the cast discussing real-world issues outside of their characters. It adds a layer of depth to the actors that the scripted show couldn't always capture.
The Whatever It Takes cast proved that Canadian TV could have a global impact. They didn't need a massive budget or A-list stars to start; they just needed stories that felt true. And decades later, those stories still hold up.