 This is a show about the lives of students at Degrassi Community School. There are about 15 main characters: Paige Michalchuk, Marco Del Rossi, Alex Nunez, Ellie Nash, Jimmy Brooks, Sean Cameron, Ashley Kerwin, Gavin  Spinner  Mason, Jay Hogart, Craig Manning, Emma Nelson, Manny Santos, Liberty Van Zandt, JT York, and Toby Isaacs; along with some characters who have either left the show or are new to the show: Dylan Michalchuk, Terri MacGreggor, Rick Murray, Hazel Aden, Danny Van Zandt, and Kendra Mason. Some of the cast of Degrassi: Junior High have also returned. Christine "Spike" Nelson is Emma s mother, and Archie "Snake" Simpson is her step father. Joey Jeremiah is Craig s stepfather. Mr. Raditch, who was a teacher in Degrassi JH returns as the principal. Caitlyn Ryan returns as Joey s on/off love interest. The show discusses serious issues such as rape, homosexuality, bullying, school violence, religion, relationship violence, pregnancy, abortion, mental disorders, cutting, and more in true-to-life situations that don t always have happy endings.