Degrassi: Next Class is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi Universe, which was originally created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. It is the fifth series in the Degrassi franchise, following The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, and Degrassi: The Next Generation. The series was created by Linda Schuyler, Stephen Stohn, Sarah Glinksi, and Matt Huether and is produced by Epitome Pictures (a subsidiary of DHX Media). The current executive producers are Schuyler, her husband Stephen Stohn, Sarah Glinski, Matt Huether, and Brendon Yorke. The series is filmed at Epitome's studios in Toronto, Ontario, rather than on the real De Grassi Street from which the franchise takes its name.