Caitlin Ryan (Degrassi)
| Caitlin Ryan | |
|---|---|
|
Degrassi Junior High Degrassi High Degrassi: School's Out Degrassi: The Next Generation character |
|
| First appearance |
Degrassi Junior High: January 18, 1987 (episode 1.01: "Kiss Me Steph") |
| Last appearance |
Degrassi: The Next Generation: February 8, 2008 (episode 7.08: "Jessie's Girl") |
| Created by | Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood |
| Portrayed by | Stacie Mistysyn |
| Years |
|
| Information | |
| Occupation | Journalist Former: Ryan's Planet (TV host) Local Heroes (TV host) |
| Family | Unnamed mother Unnamed father Patrick (older brother) |
Caitlin Ryan is a fictional character from the Degrassi series portrayed by Stacie Mistysyn. Caitlin is a main character on both Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High, which chronicle her maturation from a seventh grader to a high school graduate. Mistysyn returned to play an adult Caitlin on Degrassi: The Next Generation, in which Caitlin is a recurring character.
Mistysyn was taking dance lessons when she received a flyer advertising auditions for the series. Unaware of what to wear to the audition, Mistysyn auditioned in shorts and a tank top; she believed that this helped her in the process because the producers "were looking for kids just being kids". When Mistysyn failed to land the role she was auditioning for, writer Yan Moore created Caitlin specifically for the actress. The character was initially named Amanda, but was renamed "Caitlin" after someone in show publicist Kathryn Ellis's family.
Caitlin became the favorite Degrassi character of American screenwriter and film director Kevin Smith, who named the character "Caitlin Bree" from his 1994 movie Clerks after her. Smith's enthusiasm led the series's producers to create a three-episode story arc for him on Degrassi: The Next Generation, in which Smith develops a relationship with Caitlin. Mistysyn has earned three Gemini nominations for her portrayal of Caitlin, "including a win for best performance by a lead actress in a continuing dramatic role."
Caitlin was born to a teacher father and a vice principal mother on March 2, 1972. It is mentioned in the series that she has a brother named Patrick, but he is never seen on the show. Caitlin is an epileptic and suffers seizures when she does not take her medication.
Caitlin is a strong student and an opinionated, passionate, and outspoken social activist on issues such as the environment, animal rights, and feminism in addition to local issues, such as teacher firings. She often expresses her views through Degrassi Junior High's newspaper, which she joins in grade seven and is appointed editor of in grade eight. Her best friend throughout junior high is Susie Rivera, and her best friend in high school is paraplegic Maya Goldberg. Caitlin once struggled with her sexual identity, unsure about whether or not she was a lesbian because of the feelings and dreams she had towards Ms. Avery, one of her teachers. Ms. Avery helps Caitlin sort through her feelings and realize that just because she had feelings towards Ms. Avery did not necessarily mean she was gay.
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