13 Reasons Why. Others might find comparisons elsewhere.
Degrassi: The Next Generation may be a much lighter show than Euphoria. However, the series has been outspoken about "going there" with dramatic moments for its teen main characters since the show started becoming a phenomenon. So far, Euphoria Season 2 is reminding some audiences of their favorite Canadian high school.
SIMILAR: Student Writes An Original Play
Perhaps the most glaring similarity in Euphoria to Degrassi: TNG fans comes when Lexi writes an original play. Degrassi: TNG features several plays throughout the series, from Castle Dracula to Romeo and Jules. It isn't a unique concept to have a school play featured in a high school drama.
However, most fans don't original plays written by students from their high school experience. Eli Goldsworthy writes and puts on Love Roulette in Season 11. It is obviously telling the story of his and Clare Edwards' breakup, not shown in the most sympathetic light. In Euphoria, Lexi Howard writes an original play and hides her play from her sister Cassie. It is implied the play will show her in a poor light, just like Eli's not-so-subtle production.
DIFFERENT: Main Characters Are All Friends
Some fans have noticed that nearly all the main characters in Euphoria get along, or are at least friendly to each other, despite their varying interests and attitudes. It is strange to viewers used to the tropes of cliques and bullies from teen dramas of the past.
In Degrassi: TNG, audiences don't see "bad boys" like Jay Hogart rub elbows with bookish characters like Toby Issacs. Friends are divided up into groups, and even then, sometimes students are cast out, like when Spinner Mason is revealed as partly responsible for Jimmy Brooks' shooting.
SIMILAR: Music Is Important
Viewers perhaps noticed the prominence of music in Euphoria's second season so far. When Nate Jacobs and Cassie take a joyride in his car, Orville Peck's "Dead Of Night" is showcased in what viewers might describe feeling like its own music video. The soundtrack in the second season premiere perhaps would be characterized as everpresent and memorable. The first two episode titles are references to songs.
Fans of Degrassi: TNG know that music is a perpetual presence in the series. Music isn't always showcased thoughtfully in episodes. However, each episode of the series is named after a song relating to the content of the story. Furthermore, characters consistently name-drop bands, from Neutral Milk Hotel to Death Cab For Cutie. There are also several music cameos in Degrassi: TNG from artists like Pete Wentz.
DIFFERENT: No Bands (Yet)
There aren't many hobbies put on display in Euphoria, other than those involving the mishaps and drama of its main characters. So far, fans have seen Elliot lazily play his acoustic guitar, and audiences have yet to know whether Lexi's play will showcase musical numbers.
However, on Degrassi: TNG, students form bands and perform throughout. Devotees might Craig Manning's Downtown Sasquatch, Peter Stone's Stüdz, or Maya Matlin's Whisperhug from the series. Band performances are often tied into episode plotlines.
SIMILAR: Main Character Gets In Over Their Head Selling Drugs
In Season 2 of Euphoria, fans have seen Rue Bennett take a massive risk amid her drug addiction. She makes a case to a drug lord, Laurie, to front her product which she can then distribute and sell amongst her classmates. Viewers might be weary of Rue's decision, and she even doubts herself, suggesting for a smaller amount than Laurie initially lands on.
Fans of Degrassi: TNG have seen this scenario before. When J.T. Yorke needs money to help pay for his child on the way, he steals drugs from his pharmacy job to supply a dealer. Before long, he gets in over his head owing money and ends up taking a deadly amount of the pills.
DIFFERENT: Odd Couples
In the Euphoria Season 2 premiere, fans are presented with a party that reintroduces the show's characters. While some characters indulge and lay the foundation for the season's drama, Fezco and Lexi bond on the couch together, and seem to form a budding romantic relationship.
In Degrassi: TNG, characters almost always stick to their clique when it comes to romance. Troublemaker Jay never links up with overachiever Liberty Van Sant, and intellectual Toby Issacs never gets together with rebellious Alex Nuñez. However, drug dealer Fezco and academic Lexi seem to hit it off in Euphoria.
SIMILAR: A Male Lead Juggles Two Girlfriends
One of the plot arcs in Euphoria Season 2 involves Nate and Cassie. Nate says he's doing "anything to win" his ex Maddy Perez back. However, he is simultaneously keeping a secret relationship with her best friend Cassie, and making sure to keep his actions secret on both ends.
This situation directly reflects one of the most memorable love triangles in Degrassi: TNG history: Craig, Manny Santos, and Ashley Kerwin. Some fans say Craig and Manny are one of 's worst couples. Craig carries on an affair with Manny and hides it from Ashley while trying to play both sides. He is eventually found out and left alone.
DIFFERENT: No Student Deaths (Yet)
certainly tackles controversial issues. As the premiere of season 2 showed fans, it is not shy of violence. Nate gets beaten to a bloody pulp by Fezco, and his father Cal isn't treated much better by Ashtray in the third episode of the second season. However, so far, no student has ed away.
In Degrassi: TNG, several students meet their end. J.T. Yorke is stabbed to death by a rival school bully. Rick Murray is killed by a gunshot wound. Adam Torres es away in a car accident. Audiences might argue Euphoria is grittier than Degrassi: TNG, but all its students are still breathing.
SIMILAR: Sex Tapes and Blackmail
One of the storylines in both the first and second seasons of Euphoria involves a sex tape between Cal and Jules Vaughn. A disc of the video is snatched up from Cal to Nate to Maddy and creates an ongoing conflict for all three of them, as well as Jules. Cal is still in his search to find the disc, so far.
Elicit videos are the subject of conflict in Degrassi: TNG multiple times. After Peter films Manny topless, he holds it above her head in an attempt to get a date until he humiliates her with it by emailing it throughout the school. Jay jeopardizes Manny's future when he switches her acting demo reel with a disc of a sex tape. Johnny DiMarco threatens to use Alli Bhandari's nude photos against her after they face conflict.
DIFFERENT: No Jobs
The Euphoria teens are showcased partying and addressing challenges concerning their relationships in and out of school. However, few of them work to themselves. Maddy is shown babysitting, and Kat has a brief career as a cam girl that fans haven't seen yet in Season 2. However, most of the characters don't work, and none of them are staffed at an organization.
In Degrassi: TNG, the characters work at several different jobs. Paige Michalchuk works at a movie theater concession stand. J.T. Yorke is the host of a children's show. Drew Torres works at a mall cellphone kiosk. Spinner and others take jobs at The Dot Café. Many of the students have jobs, and very few become self-employed.
