Degrassi: The Next Generation unpacks several conflicts its characters face throughout the series. Sometimes, Degrassi: TNG tackles deep issues. In doing so, the show presents dozens of personalities. Some are very different than others, like the bookish Toby Issacs and "bad boy" Sean Cameron.
However, as students graduate and leave the show, others are introduced who remind audiences of Degrassi alum. Of course, no two characters are identical. Yet, many characters present personality traits and behavior that are overwhelmingly familiar to others. Sometimes, they even repeat the same plot lines.
Toby Issacs/ Wesley Betenkamp
Toby is one of the oldest characters from Degrassi: TNG, appearing since the first season of the series. He is a bookish glasses-clad intellectual and rarely is treated well by the popular kids at school.
Wesley is a short-lived character but presents the same tropes as Toby. They have a similar style, have the same interest in academics, and are rejected by girls in school they try to date. Their overall arcs are different, but their personalities and regular conflicts reflect one another.
Sean Cameron/ Zig Novak
Sean is one of the most popular characters from Degrassi: TNG. He is introduced as a poor young man from a troubled family. He hides his background from his peers, insecure about his past. He sometimes lashes out when being treated like "a charity case."
Zig is introduced in a very similar manner. He comes from a small poor family and his mother runs a convenience store. He steals jeans to fit in with his wealthier peers. Sean also steals to get money to fit in, shown in his theft of Mr. Simpson's computer.
Darcy Edwards/ Becky Baker
Darcy Edwards debuts in Degrassi: TNG as a conservative student characterized by her membership in Degrassi's Christian Friendship Club. However, as her relationships with others at school develop, her religious views are challenged.
Becky Baker comes to Degrassi with a similar background. She is the daughter of a Reverend and a devout Christian. However, her faith is put to the test in her growing relationships at Degrassi, especially regarding her involvement with Adam Torres.
Ellie Nash/ Grace Cardinal
Ellie is the original goth girl in Degrassi: TNG. She is introduced wearing all black with alternative accessories liked spiked necklaces. Although they later become friends, she is first shown scorning preppy popular girls like Paige Michalchuk.
Grace comes to Degrassi: TNG in some of its final seasons. Like Ellie, she is presented wearing goth clothing and showcases a general disdain for jocks and preppy girls. However, like Ellie, she ends up becoming close with one of the latter groups in Zoe Rivas.
Liberty Van Zandt/ Clare Edwards
Liberty is one of the original characters who debut in Season 1. Many fans consider Liberty to be one of Degrassi: TNG's smartest characters. She is a bookish overachiever. However, her life becomes complicated when she is faced with an unplanned pregnancy.
Clare Edwards is also an overachieving academic. She seems to have her life planned out early on with many intellectual goals in place. Like Liberty, she is in the running for valedictorian, but unlike Liberty loses the race. She is also faced with an unplanned pregnancy.
Declan Coyne/ Miles Hollingsworth III
Declan Coyne comes to Degrassi in its later seasons. He is presented as a manipulative and pompous young man coming from an extremely wealthy family. He comes to the show as a villain, but eventually becomes a protagonist with more likable traits.
Miles has an incredibly reflective arc to Declan. The two dress similarly, and Miles comes from a rich background. He is also introduced as a troublemaker, causing conflict for characters like Maya Matlin. However, his character pivots to become empathetic as he is developed.
Manny Santos/ Bianca DeSousa
Manny is introduced early on in the series. One of her most significant arcs involves a love triangle, one of Degrassi: TNG's most-recycled plotlines. She develops a reputation as being promiscuous, despite having few boyfriends. It is perhaps caused by the actions of other male students, like Peter's filming her topless and Craig's cheating on Ashley Kerwin with her.
Bianca is presented in Degrassi: TNG in the latter half of the series. She and Manny have a similar style, both often donning hoop earrings and tracksuits. Bianca also develops a poor reputation as one from "the wrong side of the tracks." However, she also does little to earn this. Drew Torres cheats on Alli Bhandari with her, and she ultimately ends up with Drew.
Craig Manning/ Eli Goldsworthy
Craig presents an alternative character that is repeated multiple times throughout Degrassi: TNG. He has an interest in rock music. His father-figure, Joey Jeremiah, isn't strict and allows him more freedom than the parents of other characters. As a result, he gets into trouble. When he struggles with mental illness, he becomes infatuated with Ashley, which makes him violent and leaves him injured.
Fans might say Eli is more of a goth than a rocker, but he presents a similar style to Craig. He is a "bad boy," and also has a father, Bullfrog, who enforces few rules. As a result, he also gets into trouble. When he struggles with mental illness, he too becomes infatuated with a romantic interest in Clare. The conflict leaves him injured from a car crash.