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[via press release]

‘Degrassi: The Next Generation’ Presents Paige’s Highly-Anticipated Date Rape Trial as The N Premieres The Fourth Season of Its hit teen drama Friday, October 1 at 8:00 P.M. (ET)

The N To Roll Out 22 New Degrassi Episodes With Hour-Long Premiere

Exclusive Degrassi Parent/Teacher Discussion Guide Available At discussions.the-n.com

NEW YORK, Sept. 20 — The N, the nighttime network for tweens and teens, will kick off a new season of its provocative teen drama, Degrassi: The Next Generation, with a special hour-long episode on Friday, October 1 from 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. (ET). The fourth season premiere follows Paige as she faces her long-awaited date rape trial and attempts to gain closure on the assault. Degrassi airs regularly Friday nights at 8:00 p.m. (ET) and 10:00 p.m. (ET) with encores on Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m. (ET) and 10:00 p.m. (ET) on The N.

Beginning Friday, October 1, The N will unveil 22 new episodes of Degrassi, the fictional, dramatic series that tackles tough issues in a realistic way. The fourth season of Degrassi will delve into topics including, sexuality, alcoholism, mental illness, self-esteem and school violence. Degrassi introduces a new generation of kids going through the trials and tribulations of adolescence in the 21st century at the newly refurbished Degrassi Community School. The series follows Emma (Miriam McDonald), Ashley (Melissa McIntyre), Paige (Lauren Collins), Manny (Cassie Steele), Ellie (Stacey Farber), Craig (Jake Epstein), Jimmy (Aubrey Graham), Sean (Daniel Clark), Hazel (Andrea Lewis), Liberty (Sarah Barrable Tishauer), Spinner (Shane Kippel), Marco (Adamo Ruggiero), Toby (Jake Goldsbie), J.T. (Ryan Cooley) and Terri (Christina Schmidt) as they journey through high school.

In the fourth season premiere, “Ghost in the Machine,” Paige goes back to school and her date rape case against Dean finally comes up for trial. Paige is ready to testify and put the painful ordeal behind her until she bumps into a seemingly contrite and changed Dean while helping her brother Dylan move into his college dorm. Their encounter leaves Paige confused and questioning whether or not she really needs to re-open old wounds by going to court. Paige’s anxiety compels her to drop the charges as she puts on a brave face and tries to convince everyone that she’s fine. But when Paige is gripped by a panic attack during an intimate moment with Spinner, it becomes clear that she is still haunted by Dean and the only way she can truly move on is by facing him in court.

Meanwhile, Craig celebrates his 16th birthday with Angela and Joey, who give him a big present — an envelope from his biological father’s estate with a check for $10,000. Craig initially rebukes the gift, until his old flame Ashley, suggests he spend the money — unwisely. The two go on an exciting spending spree, but why does Joey seem so stressed about it?

Parent discussion guides are available for Degrassi: The Next Generation on http:\\discussions.the-n.com. The episode-specific guides offer parents tips and questions about the issues raised in Degrassi to use as discussion starters with young adolescents.

Epitome Pictures and its affiliate companies have been producing quality Canadian programming since 1976, including the multi-award winning, internationally recognized Degrassi franchise, The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High, which still air throughout the world. Epitome Pictures has also produced the series Liberty Street and Riverdale, as well as several MOWs. For more information, please visit http://www.epitomepictures.com.

The N, the nighttime network for tweens and teens, is a programming arm of MTV Networks and is currently available in 42 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite television. The N’s mission is to be the authentic voice for teens and help them figure out their lives with relevant, topical programming on-air and online at the network’s web site http://www.the-n.com. The N airs everyday from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (ET). The N and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

SOURCE The N