Archive for the ‘Degrassi’ Category

Plus, Cassie talks about watching younger sister Alex make her ‘Degrassi’ debut: ‘She lights up the screen.’

When Canadian drama The L.A. Complex premieres on The CW, Cassie Steele will have stateside viewers in a permanent state of jaw-on-floor. But while she’s excited for fans to get a taste of what’s next (and believe me, I’ll be gushing over the new drama closer to its April 24 debut) you’ll also be glad to know she’s sticking close to her Degrassi roots. “With the right story line, I’d definitely like to [return],” she tells HollywoodLife.com. “And there have been talks!”

Cassie’s fellow Degrassi grad Lauren Collins recently reprised her role as mean-girl Paige Michalchuk in a webisode, and Cassie says she’s open to doing the same with the iconic Manny Santos.

“It’s really just finding the opportunity for it,” she explains. “I’m not on the show anymore, so it’s not about us anymore, and we really need to capitalize on the new characters — the budding careers these young actors have. It has to suit their story line. So if I have the chance, I’d love to. It’s a really big part of my life, and it’s so great to see these young adults working and being amazing at what they’re doing.”

One of those young adults, of course, is Cassie’s younger sister Alex Steele, who joined Degrassi this year as Tori Santamaria — a boy-stealing, bow-wearing freshman — and Cassie couldn’t be more proud.

“I love watching her,” Cassie says. “I think she lights up the screen; she really worked hard to get that part, and it shows. … She’s a quick learner, she’s professional, she’s fun — she’s just a really sweet girl.”

Alex stopped by our NYC offices back in February — I attached the video interview below — and I can definitely vouch for that sweetness. So don’t be fooled by her cat-fighting Degrassi persona; Cassie assures me that “all the Steeles” have a little cat-fight spirit in them.

The bosses at Glee are still trying to figure out what to do with their graduating seniors. What they should do is take a cue from Degrassi — the Canadian drama now has the formula down pat. For the past few seasons it has (more or less) let its matriculating students head off to unseen colleges and replenished the high school’s halls with a crop of equally intriguing underclassmen. This year is no exception: Six characters (including fan favorite Holly J., played by Charlotte Arnold) will leave Degrassi when it ends its four-night-a-week, telenovela-esque summer run on Teen Nick early next month.

But there’s a twist! An old actress is returning — as a new character. Alex Steele (pictured above, right), 16, who previously appeared on seasons 1-5 of Degrassi as Angela Jeremiah (Craig Manning’s half-sister) will enter the titular school later this season as Tori, a character who sounds like she just walked off the set of Toddlers & Tiaras. According to the network, “Tori’s parents have indulged her every whim with a stream of dance lessons, kid modeling jobs, and beauty pageants. Having never heard ‘no’ … Tori enters grade nine believing she’s the best at everything.” Steele has another Degrassi connection: She’s the younger sister of Cassie Steele, who played Manny Santos from seasons 1-9,

Why bring back Alex as a character other than Angela? According to Degrassi creator Linda Schuyler: “We created the character Tori and put out an open casting call. Out of all the actresses that auditioned, Alex Steele was the best. We debated not casting her because she had previously played Angela Jeremiah, but decided to go with the best actress for the part.”

Canadian television network CTV has announced that it has picked up a new one-hour drama series.

Highland Gardens will be overseen by Degrassi: The Next Generation producers Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn.

The show will focus on group of young Canadians as they move to Los Angeles to follow their dream of film stardom.

Moving into a motel together, the six friends will “face the challenges and opportunities of a lifetime” as they fight for a Hollywood career.

Former Stargate Universe producer Martin Gero will serve as showrunner on the six-part first season, which will be produced by Epitome Pictures and specialty channel Much Music.

Highland Gardens is currently expected to premiere in late 2011. The only question is whether or not it will air in the states as well. Time will tell.

Shenae wrote on her official site about Cassie Steele spreading her heart saying:

I had the fortune of meeting up with one of my oldest pals and cast mates from Degrassi, Cassie Steele today in LA and she decided to join the movement and spread her heart!! Check out this cutie pie’s video and learn how you can too!! X

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