The Degrassi franchise has been entertaining viewers since the ’70s with its Kids of Degrassi Street series and has touched the lives of many teens and adults alike. A stand out feature of every iteration of the show is the couples and the dramas they face growing up together. These are five of the most dramatic teen couples from Degrassi: The Next Generation until the current season.
Zaya – Zig Novak and Maya Matlin
It’s hard to think of a more dramatic Degrassi couple than Zig Novak and Maya Matlin. They were the “will they won’t they” couple of their era. It was a constant struggle of friendship and romance since the day Zig and Maya met and they can’t seem to exist without each other.
After Zig’s mother kicked him out of the house, Mrs. Matlin allowed Zig to move in but only under one condition: that nothing goes on between him and Maya. However, one evening the two began to play fight around the kitchen. They locked eyes before kissing each other with Mrs. Matlin narrowly catching them as she walked in. They proceeded to sneak kisses during the night as not to get caught by Mrs. Matlin, lest Zig be kicked back onto the street.
Cranny – Manny Santos and Craig Manning
Craig and Manny were one of the series’ staple couples until they called it quits for good in Season 6. Manny was immediately smitten with the school heartthrob when he arrived at Degrassi in Season 2, yet they didn’t start seeing each other seriously until Season 3. Although, serious isn’t exactly how many would describe this time in their relationship. The problem was that Craig was dating Ashley at the same time he began seeing Manny.
This secret tryst started when Manny caught Craig after a recent argument with Ashley. Manny, still carrying a torch for Craig, gave him a sympathetic ear and the two slept together in Craig’s garage starting their affair. Things would soon blow up in Craig’s face during the holidays when Ashley found out about Manny. He received a punch in the face from his girlfriend for his infidelity. Craig decided to choose Ashley over Manny, breaking Manny’s heart.
Drianca – Drew Torres and Bianca DeSousa
Since they began seeing each other in Season 10, Drianca has been one of the stand-out couples of their era. They were a couple that, for a time, seemed like they could go the distance. Drew and Bianca had overcome so much together, from the murder of an ex and a school shooting to getting engaged while still in high school.
One of Drianca’s most dramatic moments took place during the two-part Season 11 premiere, “Boom Boom Pow.” When Bianca ran into her abusive ex in an alley one evening, he was aggressive and harassing her. Drew came to the rescue and a scuffle broke out. Bianca, trying to protect the love of her life, picked up a brick and hit her ex in the back of the head, killing him. This set off an intense string of events that culminated in a prom shooting. But through it all, Bianca and Drew did everything they could to protect each other.
Unfortunately, when Bianca started her new life in university, she decided that she’d outgrown the relationship. After everything they’d been through as a couple, it’s too bad that they didn’t end their time on the show with each other.
Semma – Sean Cameron and Emma Nelson
It’s hard to think about Degrassi: The Next Generation and not think about Emma Nelson. It’s even harder to think about Emma and not think about her main love interest, Sean Cameron. The high school sweethearts seem to be on almost every fan’s top couples list. But here we’re going to focus on their penchant for drama.
After moving back to his hometown of Wasaga Beach, Sean was missing for an entire season until he returned in Season 6 with a plan for his future as a mechanic. But before he could do that, he had to see his one true love, Emma. Even though she was seeing Peter at the time, the two couldn’t stay apart for long. So they picked up right where they left off from Season 3 and their legendary romance continued. That was until Sean was caught with drugs in his locker and was sent to prison. However, it was all a lie that Peter concocted to get Sean out of the picture.
Eclare – Eli Goldsworthy and Clare Edwards
Both Eli and Clare have enough issues on their own. But as a couple, they brought most of the on-screen drama that weaved its way in and out of Degrassi. Eclare carried one of the longest ongoing storylines in the form of their on-and-off relationship. One of the most dramatic, but also the saddest event in their relationship was the loss of their unborn son.
At first, Clare didn’t think the baby was Eli’s and instead thought it was Drew’s after their brief fling. She soon discovered that wasn’t the case and that she was further along than she thought. But, she was reluctant to tell Eli due to his previous issues controlling his emotions, though she soon revealed the truth. Unfortunately, during a prenatal check-up, they discovered that there was no heartbeat and that their baby had passed away in the womb. Doctors also told Clare that she would have to carry it to term and deliver regardless. Being pregnant brought Eli and Clare back together as a couple, but losing their child brought them together as partners.
