Drake and his Degrassi costars are looking back on their time in the Canadian TV show as part of the upcoming Whatever It Takes documentary.
The rapper and former actor appears in the upcoming documentary, which will premiere September 13, 2025, at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film marks the 40th anniversary of the Degrassi franchise and dives into its cultural legacy, emotional storytelling and influence on generations of young viewers. He reflects on a scene where his character kisses Paige Michalchuk, played by Lauren Collins, and realizes it was a personal milestone. Directed by Lisa Rideout, the documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at the beloved series, featuring interviews with cast members such as Dayo Ade, Jake Epstein, Shane Kippel, Stefan Brogren, Shenae Grimes-Beech, and others.
The film showcases the show’s bold approach to tackling real-life issues, including teen pregnancy, mental health, and identity. It also explains how Degrassi stood apart from other teen dramas by confronting complex topics without sugarcoating. The series began with The Kids of Degrassi Street in 1979 and evolved through multiple iterations, culminating in Degrassi: The Next Generation, which ran until 2015.