Drake reunites with former Degrassi co-stars in ‘I’m Upset’ music video

Whatever it takes, the kids of Degrassi: The Next Generation know how to make it through. From relationship woes and friendship fights to eating disorders, drug and alcohol addictions, gambling problems, and pregnancy scares, they’ve seen it all.

And now, they’re back together.

On June 14, 2018, Drake released the music video for his song “I’m Upset,” featuring his former Degrassi: The Next Generation castmates. For those not in the know, Drake played Jimmy Brooks on the iconic Canadian teen drama. The music video centers around Drake’s fictional high school reunion at Degrassi Community School and, of course, plenty of his old buddies were around to party, including Lauren Collins (Paige Michalchuk), Miriam MacDonald (Emma Nelson), Cassie Steele (Manny Santos), Melissa McIntyre (Ashley Kerwin), Jake Epstein (Craig Manning), Shane Kippel (Spinner Mason), Andrea Lewis (Hazel Aden), Stacey Farber (Ellie Nash), and Nina Dobrev (Mia Jones), among others. Even actor Ephram Ellis — who played Rick Murray, the character who memorably shot Drake’s Jimmy Brooks — can be spotted in “I’m Upset.” In one scene, he runs from Drake’s posse of new friends.

Jay and Silent Bob themselves Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, who’d starred in Degrassi Goes Hollywood, were also present, officially making the video one that every Degrassi fan has to watch. But be warned: The characters aren’t up to any good in this video.

There, we see a slew of the fictional school’s most famous alumni, including Shane Kippel (Spinner), Stacey Farber (Ellie) Adamo Rugguiero (Marco), Lauren Collins (Paige), Jake Epstein (Craig), Christina Schmidt (Terri), Andrea Lewis (Hazel), Melissa McIntyre (Ashley), Linlyn Lue (Ms. Kwan), Stefan Brogren (Mr. Simpson), Jake Goldsbie (Toby), Marc Donato (Derek), Dalmar Abuzeid (Danny), AJ Saudin (Connor), Miriam MacDonald (Emma), Cassie Steele (Manny), Nina Dobrev (Mia), Sarah Barrable-Tishauer (Liberty), and Paula Brancati (Jane).

Thanking Drake for involving him, Smith, who’s been focusing on his health after having a near-fatal heart attack in February 2018, wrote a lengthy Instagram caption, reflecting on the best part of working on the video. “The highlight was watching kids that literally went to fake school together their entire young lives reuniting as grownups who still like each other,” he said. “Drizzy had his friends and former class-and-cast mates exit Lamborghinis and re-enter the pop culture conversation – and it was all done with incredible affection. I knew the video would be fun to make and go viral instantly; but I didn’t realize I’d have front row seats for the sweetest reach-back I’ve ever seen.

Drake’s song “I’m Upset” is featured on his upcoming album Scorpion, which is set for release on June 29.

Degrassi: The Next Generation was a phenomenon, spanning 14 seasons, 373 episodes, and literally hundreds of actors throughout its 15 year run. While some alumni of Degrassi High weren’t exactly the most memorable, others have had a lasting effect on viewers, teaching them important lessons and imparting life advice they’ll take with them forever.

Many of Degrassi’s alumni have gone on to successful careers in front of and behind the camera, although some ran far, far away from show biz after leaving the series. We’ve tracked down some of Degrassi High’s most memorable students to see where the actors who played them have ended up nowadays.

Miriam McDonald led Degrassi: The Next Generation as Emma, the daughter of Degrassi: Junior High‘s Spike. After the show concluded, McDonald kept acting (including making an appearance on Degrassi: Next Class), although only sporadically; she appeared in TV movies like She’s Too Young and Poison Ivy: The Secret Society and guest starred on Lost Girl and Orphan Black. Nowadays, she seems to spend most of her time staying fit; she even ran a Tough Mudder in 2016 with her former Degrassi co-star Nina Dobrev.

McDonald made a recent post on her Instagram explaining why she hasn’t returned to acting, saying that the process of auditioning was just too stressful. McDonald said that part of this came because she forgot why she loved being an actress in the first place, adding that she no longer approached it with the “starry eyed dreaminess” she had before. However, she says she isn’t ruling out a return in the future, so fingers crossed that we’ll get to see her on screen again soon.

(Excerpts) Read More at: NickiSwift.com and People.com