7 Best Canadian Teen Sitcoms That Are Still Popular Today

Some of the best teen sitcoms in the past few years have come from Canada. Although they have gone off the air since then, they are still very popular today. Canada has produced some of the best teen sitcoms/shows fans have ever seen from Degrassi: The Next Generation to Instant Star. These shows have touched on themes that made it relatable to teens back then and today.

Degrassi: The Next Generation is one of the most iconic and talked about Canadian teen shows to this day. It has taken home many awards for its achievements including 28 Gemini Awards. Just like Degrassi TNG, there are a few other Canadian shows that have been a huge success over the years.

Naturally, Sadie (2005-2007)

Naturally, Sadie follows 9th grader Sadie Hawthorne who’s a naturalist that studies animal behavior concerning humans. The Canadian teen comedy-drama aired from 2005-2007 in Canada and 90 other countries. The series presented a multitude of high school problems and drama faced by the main protagonist while also providing educational lessons wrapped in the episodes.

In the episode “Survival Swim”, Sadie insults a peer by referring to her as a hippo. In her effort to right this wrong, she educates her classmates on the positive traits of hippos and their natural habitat. With every problem presented in the show, there is a lesson behind the solution, which is why it’s still very popular today.

The Best Years (2007-2009)

Samantha Best, free from the shackles of the foster care system, finds herself a new home at the prestigious Charles University in Massachusetts. With her friends, old and new, Samantha journeys through balancing the ups and downs of college life.

In “It Should Happen To You”, Samantha decides to pawn her dead mother’s ring to impress some sorority girls, and blows off a date with a boy she likes to rush this sorority. In the end, she doesn’t get into the sorority, loses her chance with her crush, and her mother’s ring is sold. With all of these obstacles and setbacks, Samantha still chooses to embrace her time at University as the best years of her life. Although the series only ran for 2 seasons from 2007-2009, it gave fans an inside look into college life with a sprinkle of drama and romance.

Instant Star (2004-2008)

Overnight stardom doesn’t always erase drama or problems and Jude Harrison can attest to this fact. Instant Star follows Jude on the road to music star fame and all the dramas of life and love in the spotlight for a teenager. Her crush and subsequent relationship with producer Tommy Quincy is interesting to watch over time, with some seeing it as inappropriate while others see it as a romantic coming-of-age courtship.

The series stars Tim Rozon (Wynona Earp) and Laura Vandervoort (Bitten) and proved to be a huge hit next to series like Degrassi: The Next Generation and South of Nowhere. From the musical talent to the acting, the show was a smash hit that still receives recognition from fans today.

Life With Derek (2005-2009)

Life With Derek follows the rivalry between two new step-siblings in their new blended family household. Derek and Cassie are just two siblings that just can’t get along, which was and still is the appeal for fans and viewers.

They fight and compete with each other without a care who gets in their way, family or friends, however, they always come together when they have a common goal in mind. The series lasted for 4 seasons, ending in 2009. Even with its end 13 years before, the show is still searched for and watched today.

South Of Nowhere (2005-2008)

South of Nowhere is still popular today because of the real-world issues embedded in the plot of the show. Following Spencer Carlin and her family in their new life in Los Angeles, the series explores teen pregnancy, miscarriage, sexual orientation, racism, and so much more.

Throughout the series, Spencer explores her sexual orientation and a relationship with Ashley Davies. This relationship introduced some fans to their first representation of LGBTQIA on screen. With only three seasons under its belt, the series delved into things that other shows weren’t touching on, which is why it was highly recommended during its run between 2005-2008.

Smallville (2001-2011)

Superman is one of the largest and best DC Universe superheroes. So, it’s no wonder why Smallville was such a huge success. The show followed the life of Clark Kent as he tried to navigate through the world while living two different lives. The series followed Clark and his journey of becoming Superman from a child, teen, and man. This journey humanized the boy alien from another world, showing his struggles as a normal person.

Throughout the series, Clark struggles to talk to his crush Lana, sometimes stumbling over his words, and has trouble understanding who he is and where he belongs. The series ran for 10 seasons and is still being watched today.

Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001-2015)

A series that has stood the test of time, Degrassi: The Next Generation is still relevant to this day. From the infamous school shooting scene with Jimmy to Manny’s hallway strut in her blue thong, Degrassi has given fans some of the most iconic scenes and characters of the series.

The teen drama series first aired in 2001 with a realistic perspective of middle and high school obstacles and relationships between the characters.  The show has produced A-list stars like Drake, Nina Dobrev, Shenae Grimes, and so many more that it’s hard not to look at the show as being a huge success on all fronts.

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