Degrassi Writer Says Drake Almost Left the Show Unless His Character Got 'Out of the Wheelchair'
The writer continued, "And I said, 'All right, I understand. But how do you feel about the wheelchair?' He's like, 'All my friends in the rap game say I'm soft because I'm in a wheelchair.' And I said, 'Well, tell your friends in the rap game that you got shot. How much harder can you get? You got shot, and you're in a wheelchair.'"
According to James, Drake, who remained with the show until season eight, ultimately understood where the writing staff was coming from and had a change of heart. Although Jimmy continued to use the wheelchair throughout season six, he underwent stem cell surgery the following season and was seen using crutches in the season seven finale.
"He was so nice and apologetic about everything," James said. "He instantly backed down. I was very passionate about it, and I said, 'Aubrey, there's some kid somewhere in a wheelchair, who's completely ignored, who's never on television, never gets represented.' I need you to represent this person. You're the coolest kid on the show, and you can say there's nothing wrong with being in a wheelchair.