Due to the fact this is a long-running show, this character list does contain unmarked spoilers for the entire series, so please tread lightly or not at all.
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Mia Jones
Mia Jones
Played by Nina Dobrev, Seasons 6 (recurring), 7-8 (regular), 9 (guest)
“When I was 12, I had this perfect future lined up...then life happened. I had a daughter at 13 and suddenly I didn't come first anymore. I had to accept a reality that was very different than the one I once imagined.”
Mia is introduced in season six, as a transfer from her old school Lakehurst High. As she goes to Degrassi, the rivalry from Lakehurst heats up and she's caught in the middle as her past from Lakehurst comes back and as she dates JT Yorke. The war unfortunately ends with his death, and then Mia realizes that JT was still in love with Liberty, which she accepts. When Mia was just 13 years old, she got pregnant by Lucas Valieri and had a daughter named Isabella. She wants to have the best high school experience and live out her life which conflicts with her new role as a mother. She has a desperate need for acceptance, leading her to do anything to get it. In season eight, she starts modeling and even lands a high-profile campaign in part of (well, maybe) her sleeping with a football player to score the gig. In season nine, she is picked as the "Euro Fresh Face" and she moves to Paris along with her mother and Isabella.
- The Ace: Especially apparent during season 8. She's a great cheerleader, popular in school, great looking and is a model and is admired throughout the school. Which makes it even more harder for her to attain her goals, due to her caring for her daughter.
- Acquired Situational Narcissism: When she was announced as the T-Bombz modeling girl, she gained a bad attitude when she was trying to fit in with lifestyle. Most of it went away though, after Danny confronted her about sleeping her way into the position.
- All Girls Want Bad Boys: With Lucas, the Lakehurst/Degrassi bully. She got pregnant by him and even thought about dating him again, until he betrayed her at a party.
- Ambition Is Evil: Along with her internal conflict between being a teen mom with responsibilities and wanting to be School Idol. In order to maintain being popular and admired as a model, she sleeps her way into the position (which is later subverted, see below).
- Casting Couch/Sexual Extortion: A subversion — she slept with football player Tom Blake in order to guarantee her getting the T-Bombz modeling spot (and even participated in a orgy), but it turned out she would've gotten the spot anyway.
- Disappeared Dad: Her father is not in the picture and it's never explained why.
- Foil: To Holly J; Mia is nicer, friendlier and more sociable than Holly J could ever be. However, like Holly J, Mia has a ruthless edge to get what she wants and maintain the School Idol status. Not to mention after Leia confronts her about sleeping with Tom Blake, Mia starts acting like an Alpha Bitch towards her.
- Fatal Flaw: Ambition, which conflicts with her motherly duties.
- I Just Want to Be Normal: She just wants to be like the other kids and do the same things, and being able to hang out, and participate in school activities and parties but of course, she has her mothering duties.
- Karma Houdini: A minor example, as she didn't really get any repercussions for sleeping her way into the modeling business and nasty attitude afterward. She lost Danny as a friend and possible boyfriend due to it...and gained Peter shortly thereafter. And while the news of her sleeping with Tom Blake gets broadcasted on TV (courtesy of Holly J), it doesn't harm her modeling career.
- Long Bus Trip: To Paris after winning a modeling contract and furthering her modeling career.
- Never Accepted In Her Hometown: Few people from Lakehurst seem to like her, as season seven showed. Her reputation followed her from her old school.
- The Rival: Holly J, though Mia is a bit more amicable towards her.
- Romantic False Lead: Even Mia herself knew that JT still loved Liberty.
- School Idol: In season eight, when she scored the modeling contract. She was so popular, not even Holly J's best Alpha Bitch strategies couldn't take her down.
- Star-Crossed Lovers: Her romance with JT played on this a bit as they were part of the Degrassi's rivalry with Lakehurst; JT with Degrassi and Mia still associated with Lakehurst. This went away after JT was killed and it came out that JT was still in love with Liberty.
- Teen Pregnancy: She toughed it out as a teen mom.
Holly J. Sinclair
Holly J. Sinclair
Played by Charlotte Arnold, Seasons 7-11 (regular), 16 (guest)
"You don't want Holly J. Sinclair as an enemy."
Holly J was the Alpha Bitch at Lakehurst, and soon found herself at the top of Degrassi's social ladder. She is manipulative, cunning, and bitchy to anyone who steps in her way. This is a cover for her deep social awkwardness — she only has one true friend and she cannot relate to people well. In season 8, her family runs into financial troubles, which causes Holly J to fall to the bottom of the Popularity Food Chain, which in turn causes her to relate more to her peers and soften. In season ten, her family debt has reached a new low and she's worried about her future. So some of her old habits came back in full swing during the school's student council elections. However, once she realized just how much she was sacrificing just to be with Declan in the States for college, she halted the relationship with him. Later that season she starts having a casual relationship with Sav and then she develops kidney failure and is in needed of a transplant. In that process of finding a donor, she discovers she's adopted. After some transplant drama, she gets the surgery and she's headed for Yale University.
- All Love Is Unrequited: Played with. She had feelings for Spinner in season eight, probably because he was the first person to treat her like a human being, but they weren't returned. Also, for an episode, Toby. Although Toby did return the feelings, he was upset that Holly J wasn't going to acknowledge him in front of her friends. When she approaches him one more time, he rebuffs her. With Declan and Sav, on the other hand... averted.
- Aloof Big Sister: She's in the shadow of her older sister, Heather who ruled Degrassi before her.
- Academic Alpha Bitch: Holly J. becomes Student Council President in season nine so she could do things her way, not to mention she's at the top of her class and valediction of her season's graduating class.
- Alpha Bitch: She was Alpha Bitch at Lakehurst, and went directly for that position at Degrassi. She wanted to be the head cheerleader and she is rude, sarcastic, and at times cruel to other students.
- Blonde, Brunette, Redhead: When paired with Anya and Fiona, she's the (strawberry) blonde.
- Blue Oni: She plays Blue Oni To Fiona, Sav, and Anya, as the more rational, calming influence.
- Break the Haughty: Starting in season eight, as her father loses his job and she goes from being very wealthy to having to work an after-school job and losing her Alpha Bitch status.
- Breakout Character: After season eight, she became one of the most focused on main characters of the show not to mention becoming more layered.
- Broke Episode: Subverted, since her family is still struggling with debt until the end of her senior year.
- The Bus Came Back: For the season finale of season eleven due to Fiona's family struggles, and then for #ThrowbackThursday in ''Degrassi: Next Class."
- Butt-Monkey: During several parts of Season eight, sometimes for comedic purposes or dramatic purposes such as losing her fortune to simply being outsmarted.
- Character Development: Probably one of the best examples on this show: she started her tenure as a snotty Alpha Bitch who made it a point to be as catty and bitchy as possible to just about everyone else. Once she goes through her Humiliation Conga and she learns kindness through people like Spinner, Jane, Anya, and Declan, she becomes much nicer. While she's still an Academic Alpha Bitch by the time she hits Grade 12, she's also an Only Sane Man for just about the entire school and acts like a Cool Big Sis to most of them, and it all happens so gradually that nobody really noticed until it had already happened.
- Continuity Nod: She's the younger sister of a character who was often mentioned but never seen in earlier seasons.
- Control Freak: She is a take-charge person and does not like taking orders from anyone, which made her fall from grace even harder for her to take.
- Deadpan Snarker: Particularly during her Alpha Bitch phase, as her remarks were more harsh than deadpan. As she becomes nicer, she becomes a Deadpan Snarker.
- Definitely Just a Cold: She pretty much ignores her growing symptoms until she wets herself in the middle of a presentation.
- Defrosting Ice Queen: As opposed to Paige who was mean, but sociable, Holly J was mean and standoffish. She gets better after her Humiliation Conga and becomes friendlier and warm.
- Driven by Envy: She was very envious of Mia, especially when she became a minor celebrity. She even blurted out Mia's sexcapades for the local news.
- Embarrassing First Name: It is either Holly-Jeanette Sinclair, or Holly Jeanette Sinclair. Depending on how people took the line in the episode. Either way, Holly J does not like Jeanette (or, for that matter, just being called Holly).
- Establishing Character Moment: In season seven's first episode where she bumps into Darcy in the Cafe, purposefully knocks over her tray, and calls Toby a toad. A perfect Alpha Bitch introduction.
- Even Evil Has Standards: Holly J casually mocks Jane when she joined the football team. But even she was disgusted by Derek's sexist shirt...
and Derek Shirtless. - Even the Girls Want Her: Fiona, especially.
- Expository Hairstyle Change: When she was mean, her hair was always in a very tightly pulled ponytail, presumably to give her face a thinner, and thus a more stern, appearance. Now that she's nice, she normally wears her hair down, and when it is in a ponytail, it's very loose and setting appropriate.
- Expy: Of Paige, except more of an Ice Queen.
- Fallen Princess: She tries to embarrass Mia, but it backfires tremendously, leading to her to slip down the Popularity Food Chain and getting kicked off the Power Squad. And that's on top of her family's financial issues.
- Fatal Flaw: Her need to control everything, as well as her resistance to change and adapt whenever things don't go her way.
- Foil: To Mia. Holly J is meaner and can treat others coldly, but like Mia, she's a bit insecure and level-headed.
- Friends with Benefits: With Sav, until she developed feelings for him. But she was still in love with Declan.
- Girl Posse: With the popular girls of Degrassi in season seven and eight, until she was ousted. Anya stayed by her, and after Holly J defrosts, she gets more friends.
- Happily Adopted: She found out she was adopted while searching for a kidney transplant. She takes the news surprisingly well.
- Homoerotic Subtext: The overtones between her and Fiona, particularly Fiona's attraction to her.
- Inferiority Superiority Complex: A lot of her mean actions as Alpha Bitch was a front, as she cared a lot about what people thought of her as shown by Alli's anti-Holly J rally.
- Jerkass/Jerk with a Heart of Gold: She slides between the two, earlier seasons she was mainly the former, now she's mainly the latter.
- Manipulative Bitch: Towards Anya at first, in order to keep her close and loyal.
- Nice Girl: Most emphatically not at first, but by the time Season 9 ends (and even before then), she's become an absolute sweetheart. Declan is the biggest influence to thank for that.
- Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: Trying to take down Mia? Blew up in her face and made Mia more popular. Lying to Sav about Anya's pregnancy? Gets Sav elected Student Council President. Reveals her relationship with Sav to his mother? Mr. and Mrs. Bhandari love her. ...Her "evil" plots don't really work out.
- The Nicknamer: She gives out a few, such as Baby Edwards (Clare), Little Bhandari (Alli), and Mamma Mia (Mia) - originally they're derisive. Post Face-Turn, not so much.
- "Not If They Enjoyed It" Rationalization: In season ten, Declan pressured her into sex. While she doesn't think Declan raped her, she is still disturbed by what happened and stops short of forgiving him. There's a Broken Base on just how the show handled this subject, which is most likely why the future of the relationship is Left Hanging.
- Oblivious Adoption: Only learns that she was adopted during the kidney transplant arc.
- Only Friend: Anya was her only true friend until Holly J branched out. And even during that time, she treated her like garbage.
- Only Sane Man: Especially when dealing with the antics of Fiona. But also during Anya and Sav's plots.
- Out of Focus: After being very prominent for three seasons, arguably becoming a mascot of sorts for the series during her peak time on the series, during her final season on the show she was barely prominent. She did get closure with her kidney transplant but it was a surprising turn for the once central character to go long streaks of episodes without even appearing. It was likely done to help prepare viewers to embrace the characters who were staying on going forward, considering the amount of time the first half on season eleven spent on Eli and Drew.
- Rich Bitch: When she was first introduced in season seven, but then she lost all her money and got less bitchy.
- The Rival: Mia, due to Holly J's jealousy.
- Secret Relationship: With Sav, in season ten to hide it from Anya and his parents.
- Slasher Smile: In the mini "Queen Bees", she tells Paige that her big sister is Heather Sinclair while flashing one of these. It seems to grow bigger when Paige calls her the "Devil's spawn" on her way out.Holly J: Oh, it's good to be a Sinclair.
- Smug Snake: Arrogant and full of herself in both Seasons 7 and 8 before her downfall.
- Student Council President: Elected to the council in Season 8 somehow despite her Alpha Bitch status. She lost the position in Season 10 to Sav, however.
- Sugar-and-Ice Personality: She mostly stays to the Ice (Kuu) side of things, but in one on one situations the Sugar (dere) side shines through.
- Take That!: A song "dedicated" to her in season seven after she gets caught cheating during a charity fundraiser; "Holly J sucks."
- They Call Me MISTER Tibbs!: "It's Holly frickin' J."
- This Is for Emphasis, Bitch!: Degrassi Takes Manhattan: “This is New York Holly J, BITCH."
- Tiny Tyrannical Girl: The actress is only 5'1".
- Tomboy and Girly Girl: Girly Girl to Jane's Tomboy in season nine.
- Took a Level in Kindness: She becomes a lot more likable and kinder, particularly after her hero moment in Season 8 and Declan's influence in Season 9. She even lampshades this:"I used to be different. Some might say... harsh."
- Unlikely Hero: After two seasons of being the de facto antagonist of the show, who'd have thought she'd be the one to talk down the gunman at The Dot at the end of Season 8?
- You Need to Get Laid: She picks on Clare for [unwittingly] bringing a vibrator to school. Clare's response? That if the former tried masturbation once in a while, she'd likely be more pleasant to be around.
Anya Mac Pherson
Anya MacPherson
Played by Samantha Munro, Seasons 7 (recurring), 8-11 (regular)
Holly J: “Anya, Jane's right. You need to get a life, one that doesn't revolve waiting around for your boyfriend to call.”
Anya is Holly J's best friend and former doormat. She was scared of what would happen should she actually stand up to her, until Holly J undermined her leadership role in a community project. She was deeply in love with Sav Bhandari, but his issues with his family drove them apart. She is also a bit immature for her age, and a little air-headed and a bit of a geek as she participates in LARPing. In season ten, she discovers her mother has cancer. Anya's mother defeats cancer, but Anya ends up with a crush on her mother's doctor. An attempt at a relationship with him fails due to her young age, and on top of that her post-Degrassi plans fall apart. She spirals out of control by having a one-night stand with Owen and taking up a cocaine habit. However, she gets through her self-doubt and plans on joining the Canadian military after high school.
- The Baby Trap: She had sex with Sav and told him she was on birth control (she wasn't) in order to have him forever and get Sav away from his arranged wife. The trap was never sprung, as she admits to Sav what she planned to do.
- Backstabbing the Alpha Bitch: In season eight when she sided with the Power Squad to kick Holly J out due to her spilling out gossip about Mia and then in season 10 when she betrayed Holly J for Sav.
- Belligerent Sexual Tension: With Owen. She was disgusted with him over his creepy actions, but later as Owen proves himself not to be as bad as she thought and that he really liked her.
- Berserk Button: Be a homophobe. Even better, do this to Riley or Zane, and then persist in creeping on her. Owen did this, and now will probably never get laid by a Degrassi girl again. Ironically, he ended up getting laid by her later.
- Beta Bitch: In season seven, this was very apparent. She dressed like Holly J, and also bullied Mia just like Holly J. In season eight, she starts to move from under her influence.
- Beware the Nice Ones: She is one of the nicest characters, but she was finally pushed too far by Owen. See Berserk Button above.
- Blonde, Brunette, Redhead: When paired with Holly J and Fiona, she's the redhead.
- Bracesof Orthodontic Overkill: Not as egregious as most TV examples, but she starts out her time on the show with braces, and realistically ends with her having a retainer.
- Character Development: She started out as a pretty generic Satellite Character for Holly J, Sav, and Mia, but ended up getting pretty fleshed out in season ten and getting most of the focus in season 11.
- Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: In the first part of season ten. She not only lies to Sav about being pregnant in order for Holly J to win, she lies again saying she had a miscarriage in order to deflate the rumor and backstabs Holly J once she reunites with Sav.
- Clingy Jealous Girl: To Sav, but for good reason as he was arranged for marriage to another girl.
- Converting for Love: For a while in season eight, she considers becoming a Muslim so she and Sav could be together.
- Desperately Looking for a Purpose in Life: In season 11, she's not accepted into Toronto University as well as being rejected by Dr. Chris, leaving her completely crushed and without direction. She starts partying heavily and doing coke, and it isn't until she hits a low point that she considers the military.
- Early-Bird Cameo: Sort of. Samantha Munro appeared as an extra on the Lakehurst cheer squad in season 6, before Anya was even written as a character in season 7. Though this isn't her official first appearance, it doesn't have any conflicts with the timeline of the show and most fans consider it canon.
- Extreme Doormat: To Holly J in season seven. She was afraid to stand up to her, she dressed almost exactly like her, and was part of her Girl Posse. After she starts dating Sav, she moves out from under her thumb but she still has confidence issues.
- Fatal Flaw: Passiveness, as she defined herself being Holly J's shadow and by her relationship with Sav. Even as their friendship became more equal and she and Sav broke up, it was hard for Anya to assert herself and figure out what she wanted.
- Fag Hag: She hangs a lampshade on this, pointing out Holly J is her only straight friend.
- Girl Posse: A member of Holly J's.
- Intoxication Ensues: Anya, honey, sweetie, why did you bump that cocaine during your university interview?!
- "L" Is for "Dyslexia": She has dyslexia, but this was only shown once.
- May–December Romance: She tried getting away with dating a 25-year-old doctor in her senior year. Once he found out she was still a minor, he couldn't deal with her lie.
- The Masochism Tango: Sav and Anya go back and forth with each other, with the affair ending for good in season ten due to Sav still trying to hide Anya from his parents.
- Mistaken for Pregnant: In order to help Holly J win the election, she pretended she was pregnant with Sav's baby, then utilizes that to help Sav win the election. They eventually stop the ruse once he wins and she handwaves it by announcing she had a Convenient Miscarriage.
- Naïve Everygirl: Especially in seasons seven and eight, as she was more flighty and childish. She even liked sticker books.
- Nice Girl: When she's not under Holly J's influence. She even gives Wesley a pity date, after she tried to discourage him from dropping out of a bachelor auction. She's probably the nicest character on the show.
- Only Friend: To Holly J. For awhile this was vice-versa until Anya stopped being a doormat and started dating Sav.
- Platonic Life-Partners: With Riley. They both even had a crush on Dr. Chris.
- Sex for Solace: Her hookup with Owen was this; she got hit with the double whammy of not getting accepted for college and being dumped by Dr. Chris and Owen was there to comfort her. One thing led to another...but then they started dating seriously until she left Degrassi.
- Shipper on Deck: For Riley and Zane, almost to Yaoi Fangirl proportions.
Sav Bhandari
Savtaj "Sav" Bhandari
Played by Raymond Ablack, Seasons 7 (recurring), 8-11 (regular), 16 (guest))
“You have this perfect image of me....but I have to sacrifice all these things; the love of my life, music, friends just to live up to your unrealistic expectations.”
Sav is highly sought after by the female population of Degrassi — he's cute, funny, and nice — but he had his eyes set on one girl, Anya MacPherson. He continuously strains against his parents' (mainly his father's) rules and expectations; he's musically gifted, but his father does not wants him to pursue it as a career. He is arranged to be married to another Muslim girl, but he was in love with Anya and they dated for awhile before they broke apart due to her Baby Trap lie and his family's traditions. Sav starts off his senior year in season 10 as the Big Man on Campus leading him to run for, and win, Student Council President over Holly J. Despite his victory, he becomes attracted to Holly J and the both of them decide to have a fling before graduation. This goes on until Holly J decides that she's not in love with Sav. After starting and ending another fling with his teacher, he plans on being a music major in college.
- Arranged Marriage: He is arranged to be married, but that doesn't deter him in dating and girls.
- Big Brother Instinct: Sometimes boarders on Papa Wolf status, but he's clearly protective over Alli.
- Big Man on Campus: In season ten, after his friends graduate and he realizes that he is pretty popular and uses it to run for Student Council President.
- Calling the Old Man Out: After he gets caught taking his father's new car to a concert. He finally gets his frustrations out about his parents' (particularly his dad's) rules and the suffocating atmosphere.
- Chick Magnet: He not only had Anya's love, but Mia, Holly J, his future arranged wife, Jenna, his teacher Ms. Oh, Manny eye-ing him up and down, Degrassi alumna Paige (though it may not be Canon) and celebrity Keke Palmer have been under his spell.
- The Ditz: Seasons seven through nine, he was a bit of a space cadet. This aspect has faded away as the years gone by, though it does show up sometimes.
- Double Standard: In one episode he's furious with Alli for being in a tent with Johnny, and she points out that he's in the same situation with Anya. His only defense is that he's a 17 year old boy (and knows what he's doing), and she's a 14 year old girl, who shouldn't be having sex. Both situations end up badly for the both of them.
- Education Mama: His father thinks his interest in music is a waste of time.
- The Everyman: Essentially, he's the closest to what "normal" passes for at Degrassi with not a lot of drama outside of dealing with his family.
- Extreme Doormat: This stems mostly from his family and culture's pressures and expectations, he's afraid to defy his parents to the point where he and Anya broke up due to it.
- Fatal Flaw: He's insecure and has a people-pleasing personality, mostly due to his father.
- Follow in My Footsteps: He has this relationship with his parents, about following his family's religious views and customs.
- Friends with Benefits: With Holly J, until he started to develop feelings for her.
- Garage Band: Part of Studz and Janie and the Studs.
- Heterosexual Life-Partners: With Peter and Danny.
- Knight Templar Big Brother: He's very protective of Alli, so much so that she compares him to an overprotective father.
- The Masochism Tango: With Anya, from breaking up and making up before breaking it off for good after her Baby Trap gambit.
- My Girl Is Not a Slut: Sav judged Alli very harshly for being alone with Johnny in a tent and was worried about her gaining a reputation...despite the fact he was alone with Anya in his tent about to lose his virginity. Anya called him out on this and dumped him.
- Nice Guy: Sav is a really cool nice person, and hasn't really been mean towards anyone.
- Papa Wolf: Unintentionally. He claims that it's just a normal reaction to seeing his 14 year old sister alone in a tent with a boy, but Alli points out he's acting like their dad.
- Secret Relationship: With Holly J in season ten and with Anya towards his parents prior.
- Sibling Yin-Yang: Mellow and shy compared to his headstrong little sister.
- Student Council President: Elected in during senior year, over the incumbent Holly J.
- Student/Teacher Romance: He had an attraction to Ms. Oh, which fortunately for him, was requited.
- Those Two Guys: With Danny during seasons seven and eight, as Derek slipped out of the picture.
- Unresolved Sexual Tension: With Ms. Oh during season eleven, until they finally decided to date on the sly. Ms. Oh breaks it off after the shooting at prom, realizing that she should've been there for the students and that he is her student.
- "Well Done, Son" Guy: Both he and Alli chafe under their parents' (specifically their father's) rules and expectations, but Sav wants his approval more than anything.
Fans who want to know more about Islam, please check the Useful Notes page for Islam.
Riley Stavros
Riley Stavros
Played by Argiris Karras, Seasons 8-11 (regular)
“Ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted to be the star athlete with lots of friends and a hot girlfriend...I don't want to be like this.”
Riley is the star player on Degrassi's football team. He is very gifted in the sport along with most other sports, and he is also popular and good looking. He hides a secret, however: He is gay and deeply in the closet. The constant worrying about someone stumbling onto his secret plagues him and he has deep-set anger (brought on briefly taking steroids) and self-loathing issues. But through the help of his friend Peter and boyfriend Zane, he grows more comfortable with himself. In season 10, he's made captain of the football team but as Zane joins, Riley's closeted status is threatened. After dealing with a bully, Riley comes out to his team. Later, he is found out by his mother and she is deeply in denial and not supportive. Riley breaks up with Zane because he doesn't want to put Zane though anymore drama with his family. But in the end, his mother accepts him and will support him. Riley is set to attend Eastern University (with Zane) and plans to be one of the first openly gay pro football players.
- The Ace: Star football player with handsome looks and School Idol.
- Broken Ace: But on the inside, Riley hated himself and being gay and was doing anything to keep his secret.
- Armoured Closet Gay: Seasons eight through nine, finally came out in season ten.
- The Atoner: Much of his development is him trying to conquer his anger problems and become a better person.
- The Beard: While he was using Fiona as his sexuality beard, she was using him to keep guys from hitting on her. And, as we find out, may have been subconsciously been using him as her beard as well.
- Big Man on Campus: Holly J specifically refers to him as such in season nine.
- Berserk Button: DON'T make fun of his sexuality, EVER. Homophobia in general and picking on Zane have become this as well.
- Brains and Brawn: Zane is a lot more well spoken and worldly than Riley. Riley usually trips over his words, and lacks tact, from inadvertently insulting Zane's ex to announcing his bathroom plans.
- Character Development: Justified as coming to terms with sexuality is far more gripping than relationship drama.
- Coming-Out Story: Degrassi's third coming out story, this time with a Straight Gay jock.
- Curbstomp Battle: Him against Sav and then both times against Owen.
- Cure Your Gays: He actually seeks out a sexuality reparation therapist in season nine. It doesn't work.
- Did Not Think This Through: Riley's anger issues cloud his judgement, leading him to make stupid decisions and to use violence. His hazing of Drew to keep him quiet about his sexuality backfires and him threatening Owen leads to Zane being attacked.
- Dumb Jock: He isn't dumb per se, but he isn't very articulate, a bit slow on the uptake and was quick to act on emotions. He gets better.
- Fatal Flaw: Self-loathing due to his sexuality.
- Gayngst: BIG time, and a lot more than what Marco went through mostly because he didn't fit the typical gay stereotype and it turned him into an angry, violent person.
- Hair-Trigger Temper: This was most prominent during his closeted phase. Anytime someone brought up any possibility of him being gay, or even just joking, he would fly off the handle and even physically assaulted Sav. He gets better, though.
- Homoerotic Subtext: with Peter, from kissing him in a awkward moment to coming out to him first, and then there was the wrestling scene...
- I Just Want to Be Normal: He tried desperately to be what he thought as normal i.e. "straight" from dating girls frequently and even seeing a conversion therapist.
- I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: His reason for breaking up with Zane to spare him from his family drama.
- Internalized Categorism: He hated himself for being gay for the longest time, and finally got over it when he came to terms with it.
- Jerk Jock: He originally had a few traits of this, but this was really due to his fear and self-hatred, and also he needed to put on a show of what he thought was a "real man." In stark contrast, he turned out to be tender with a liking for indie Swedish films.
- Like Brother and Sister: More or less his friendship with Anya is this.
- Lovable Jock: After he got over his anger issues, he became a nice guy and even before then, he saved Jane from getting further assaulted in season eight.
- Manly Gay: Total football jock, complete with Carpet of Virility and Lantern Jaw of Justice.
- Mistaken for Cheating: Zane accused him of doing so after looking at his cell phone.
- Momma's Boy: His mom still brings him breakfast in bed and cleans his room, and he eventually caves into her manipulations after coming out to her. Fortunately, she finally comes to terms with his sexuality.
- Parental Obliviousness: His mother has no idea he's gay for a long time, and when he tried to tell her, she assumed he wanted to tell the "girl" he was talking about (Zane) wasn't Greek. She assures him that's okay as long as she has grandchildren someday.
- Raging Stiffie: After seeing the hot lifeguard give mouth-to-mouth.
- Red Oni: To Zane's cool, calm Blue.
- Retcon: He was originally a part of the class of 2008, but he is now part of the 2011 class because his storyline proved interesting.
- Sex Is Evil, and I Am Horny: As part of his Internalized Categorism. In one of the more What Do You Mean, It's for Kids? Degrassi has had, Riley actually meets up with another teen boy in the woods for sex.
- Straight Gay: He and Zane are quite literally the poster boys.
- Troubled Teen: He hated the fact that he has feelings for other boys; he hooks with men on the low to keep his libido in check, and engaged in self-destructive behavior such as taking steroids and going to conversion therapy to stop being gay. Luckily, he gets better.
- You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry!: You really would not, especially as he tended to get violent when angry. He gets better.
Chantay Black
Chantay Black
Played by Jajube Mandiela, Seasons 4-7 (recurring), 8-11 (regular)
“And remember, in five years, when you turn on Etalk or pick up a copy of Us Weekly, look for my name because my future will be all about reporting those juicy details.”
Chantay was introduced in season four, she only became more prominent in the series in season eight. She has a knack for gossip and spreading rumors throughout the halls of Degrassi. She's even the writer of the Anti-Grapevine, a blog reporting all the gossip around the school. In season nine, she begins to date Danny Van Zandt, whom she liked since junior high. She loves her school and plays a key role in organizing clubs and groups and is the Power Squad captain in season ten, succeeding Holly J and Mia. When Power Squad (and other clubs) are disbanded in season ten, she takes action against Principal Snake and they figure out a truce. She's headed to university after Degrassi.
- Ascended Extra/Fake Guest Star: Probably the biggest example in the entire show, she had a recurring role for four seasons before finally being named a regular in season eight.
- Class Representative: Despite not having an official position on student council, she was very active in organizing clubs and dances as well as being captain of the Power Squad.
- Extracurricular Enthusiast: She is very passionate about Degrassi's clubs and after-school activities, and when Principal Simpson suspended them, she fought hard to get them back. To the point of covering Simpson's car with post-it notes.
- Flat Character: She was basically only there to be the Token Black Friend to whomever in seasons 4-7. It wasn't until season 8-9 where her gossipy traits started to show before they settled on making her a Class Representative.
- Gossipy Hen: She was very quick to spread a rumor around the school, and even believe them. She even ran the Anti-Grapevine, a Degrassi gossip blog.
- Heel–Face Revolving Door: Chantay would go from being a Nice Girl to being part of the Alpha Bitch's Girl Posse in a heartbeat.
- Living Prop: Thanks to her incredibly small role in the first few seasons, they could afford to have her on the show for a good four seasons without anyone noticing.
- Manipulative Bitch: She convinced Leia to break up with her then boyfriend Danny in order to make him want her more. But Chantay had an ulterior motive: she wanted Danny to herself. In the end, she confesses but it all works out in her favor anyway as Danny, who was considering breaking up anyway, breaks up with Leia and starts dating Chantay.
- Retcon: Introduced as a Grade 9 in season four. Seven seasons later she's finally made it to senior year.note She's also, aside from the faculty, the only remaining cast member from the "original" cast.
- Only Sane Man: Out of all the students in her season 11 class, she was involved in no drama and was even there to support some, such as finally convincing Holly J to see a doctor.
- Paparazzi: Writer of the Anti-Grapevine, a blog dedicated to spreading gossip around the school.
- Token Black Friend: The epitome of this trope, as she was a Flat Character who played the supportive black friend to just about every girl on the show. Sometimes subverted when she was a minor enemy to them, depending on who was Alpha Bitch.
Declan Coyne
Declan Coyne
Played by Landon Liboiron, Seasons 9-10 (regular)
Trish: “Nice line. You're the player everyone says you are.”
The son of a wealthy diplomat, Declan has lived in some of the most exotic locations of the world along with his twin sister Fiona. He is charming and sophisticated and just a bit mischievous. He instantly causes drama at Degrassi by interfering with Jane's relationship with Spinner and pulling out all the stops to woo Holly J. As senior year starts, he's attending Vanderbilt Prep and maintaining a long-distance relationship with Holly J until they can go to Yale together. Holly J halts the relationship due to feeling smothered into being the perfect girlfriend. He tries getting her back into his life and pressures her into sex. He is disgusted with himself as soon as he finds out how uncomfortable Holly J was and their relationship is now in doubt, despite them both being accepted into Yale.
- Big Applesauce: From New York, and one of the very few American characters.
- The Casanova: He's had plenty of conquests before Degrassi. He charmed his way into Jane's pants pretty quickly, and tried to get Holly J as well.
- The Charmer: A consummate one, but it didn't really work for Holly J until he realized he had to be honest.
- Commuting on a Bus: Throughout season ten.
- Deadpan Snarker: He has his snarky, dry witty moments.
- Eagleland: Mixed Flavor type, he's treated like more of a rounded character just like any member of the cast.
- Expy: Reminiscent of Chuck Bass.
- Fatal Flaw: He doesn't like it when he doesn't get his way; he relentlessly pursued Holly J in season 9, only to later end in a Questionable Consent situation when he has sex with her.
- Girlfriend in Canada: Literal example; will anyone at Vanderbilt believe him?
- Heel Realization: After he sleeps with Holly J, he thinks everything will be all hunky-dory. Then Fiona tells him that Holly J felt pressured into it.
- Incest Subtext: With Fiona whom he was very close with, enough so that she planted a kiss on him.
- Jerkass: He has some moments where he was shown to be insensitive, particularly towards girls and him not taking no for an answer. Then there's the whole maybe-rape thing.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: All of the above aside, he's actually a pretty good guy underneath it all: he's mortified by his part in the maybe-rape incident, he genuinely does love Holly J., and he's a pretty friendly guy to be around. It's actually his influence more than anyone else's (aside from Jane and Spinner) that really helps Holly J. evolve into the kind girl she became.
- Ladykiller in Love: Despite his womanizing ways, when he falls in love, he falls in love hard; before Degrassi, he was completely devastated after a break up and he was completely smitten with Holly J.
- Manipulative Bastard: He's good at getting what he wants, with the use of his charm. And again, the whole possible rape thing.
- Mr. Fanservice: To the fangirls of Degrassi, and in-universe as well.
- My God, What Have I Done?: When he realizes that he may have raped Holly J., he is utterly disgusted with himself for misunderstanding her intentions, especially because he genuinely believed she wanted to continue with having sex.
- Sharp-Dressed Man: He is a snazzy dresser, as would be expected with his wealth compared to the other Degrassi students. His typical dress consist of almost business-casual type clothing.
- Shirtless Scene: And the fangirls have not ceased talking about him, even years after the scene first broadcast.
- Sibling Yin-Yang: Sociable, charming, and confident compared to his aloof, closed-off sister.
- Smug Snake: Very. Particularly with girls, and he has a generally arrogant attitude, although he's a pretty decent guy underneath it all.
- The Social Expert: He walks into Degrassi on his first day, and pretty much figures out the social scene and the Popularity Food Chain pretty quickly, and he uses sociability and contacts to get Holly J to date him.
- Spoiled Sweet: His arrogance aside, he's actually a pretty nice guy to get along with, and doesn't really go out of his way to flaunt his mom and dad's money (and when he does, it's usually to throw school parties for everyone).
- Written-In Absence: He's finally mentioned in part one of season eleven as he has flowers delivered to Holly J after her surgery. Their future as a couple is deliberately Left Hanging. Also mentioned in part two of season eleven with him going to spend time with his mother after she was arrested.
Zane Park
Zane Park
Played by Shannon Kook, Seasons 9 (guest), 10-11 (regular)
“I thought football was something we could do together. But now that I'm here, I like it. And I'm not going to let football-jerkwad Riley treat me like a leper.”
Zane is Riley's friend and later, boyfriend. He is also gay and out of the closet. Unlike Riley, he is comfortable in his own skin which leads to them butting heads when Zane joins the football team in order to spend time with him. In the end, Zane convinces Riley to come out of the closet. Riley's family however, it's a different story. Riley breaks up with Zane then rather put him through his drama. His future plans include going to Eastern University — with Riley.
- Blue Oni: To Riley's headstrong, sometimes angry Red.
- Brains and Brawn: With Riley, he the more cultured one.
- Camp Gay/Straight Gay: Somewhere in-between the two, leaning more toward Straight Gay. His Twitter shows an interest in fine arts and fashion, and... that's it, really. He's only flamboyant compared to Riley.
- Closet Key: For Riley, though Riley was already half-way out.
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Fake Canadian: Kook-Chun is South African, and has the accent to prove it when not in character. - Gayngst: As a by-product of Riley's actions, with him wanting to stay in the closet until graduation at least.
- Left Hanging: Invoked - Will Riley and Zane rekindle their relationship in college?
- Magical Queer: He's wise and knowledgeable, and Riley comes out because of him.
- Promotion to Opening Titles
- Satellite Love Interest: He's not really that two-dimensional, but most of his characterization is based around Riley, his boyfriend.
- Wise Beyond His Years: He's one of the most down-to-earth and wise students at Degrassi, particularly with LGBT issues.
Leia Chang
Leia Chang
Played by Judy Jiao, Seasons 8-10 (regular)
Peter: “We're going to my place to watch Lost. You're invited, but no liar Leia.”
Leia is introduced in season eight, transferring from a ballet school. She and Mia hit it off during the first day of school and were friends until Leia couldn't handle what Mia was doing to get modeling work. She dates Danny until season nine in which they break up later on. Leia is shy and timid, and starts making up lies about herself in order to seem cool and in order to keep dating Danny.
- Cannot Keep a Secret: She ends up telling both Danny and Holly J about Mia sleeping her way to the top. Interestingly enough, no one accuses her of lying about that part.
- Celebrity Lie: She lied about her father being a record executive and knowing Pete Wentz.
- Consummate Liar: She was a pretty convincing liar to her friends (sans Peter) about said Celebrity Lie and Sav flirting with her.
- Demoted to Extra: She only appeared in two episodes in season 10 just to play Anya's friend, due to the actress's other commitments to Harvard University.
- Easily Forgiven: She's accepted back into Danny's group of friends, even after lying about Sav hitting on her.
- Flat Character: She is basically a support character to whichever character she's paired up with, with not a lot of dimension.
- New Transfer Student: She transferred from a ballet school to Degrassi.
- Shrinking Violet: The reason she lies is due to her insecurity and shyness.
- What Could Have Been: This Harvard Crimson article points out the Leia character was supposed to be a "dominant, gossipy pathological liar" but due to the actress's shyness and inexperience, they wrote the character to reflect that (most of those traits went to Imogen, and then later Esme). Also Judy Jiao declined to appear in season 11, as she was a full-time Harvard student at the time.
Blue Chessex
Blue Chessex
Played by Jordan Hudyma, Seasons 8-9 (regular)
Chantay: “According to the Anti-Grapevine, he's had many flowers. And they've all been very happy afterwards.”
Blue is a laid-back artist who's truly passionate about art and the female form. He is rumored to be a huge player who has had sex with a lot of girls. He was really interested in Holly J and they both dated for awhile until they broke up over his idolization of her.
- Chick Magnet: The ladies admired him and gossiped about his supposed conquests.
- Chuck Cunningham Syndrome: He completely disappeared after season nine.
- Flat Character: He's there to look pretty and fill the named male character quota and that's it.
- Loving a Shadow: When he and Holly J start dating for the second time, he's convinced that she's become a much better person and places her on a pedestal as a result. While Holly J has undergone some Character Development by this point, she simply can't live up to the perfect image that Blue has of her, and this is what causes them to break up for good.
- Mr. Fanservice: Admired by the female student body, mysterious, aloof, a Shirtless Scene or two...
- Satellite Character: He's only appeared in seven episodes, all of which were him playing a periphery role to a main character.
- Urban Legend Love Life: It's heavily rumored that he sleeps around but it isn't confirmed at all in the series.
