Degrassi's Cassie Steele and Miriam McDonald look back on problem issues playing roles on teen drama

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    ‘I was being bullied a lot’: Degrassi’s Cassie Steele and Miriam McDonald look back on problem issues playing roles on iconic teen drama

    Degrassi alums Cassie Steele and Miriam McDonald opened up about issues they faced appearing on the teen series while speaking in an Instagram Live segment Monday.

    Steele, 31, who played Manny Santos on the series, said that her peers in school and fellow teens couldn’t always tell the difference between her and the role she played on the series (which also included a younger incarnation of Drake).

    ‘People couldn’t separate me from my character,’ said Steele, whose storylines included an episode in which she wore a visible thong at school; and a controversial show in which her character had an abortion. 

    The latest: Degrassi alums Cassie Steele, 31, and Miriam McDonald, 33, opened up about issues they faced appearing on the teen series while speaking in an Instagram Live segment Monday

    McDonald, 33, who played Emma Nelson on the show, said she went through common experiences, as her character once dealt with an STI

    The latest: Degrassi alums Cassie Steele, 31, and Miriam McDonald, 33, opened up about issues they faced appearing on the teen series while speaking in an Instagram Live segment Monday 

    ‘I felt like I was being bullied a lot at parties growing up and even at the mall,’ she said.

    Steele said she was called names such as a ‘sl*t,’ adding, ‘that was very difficult because [she] just wanted to make friends.’

    McDonald, 33, who played Emma Nelson on the show, said she went through common experiences, as her character once dealt with an STI.

    ‘I was terrified to walk through the cafeteria and mall food court at lunch time where there were teenagers,’ McDonald said. ‘Everyone’s pointing, everyone’s looking and throwing paper at you.’

    In unison: Steele and McDonald said they bonded as result of their shared experiences

    In unison: Steele and McDonald said they bonded as result of their shared experiences

    Both appeared on 188 episodes of the series from 2001 thru 2010; McDonald was 14 when she began, while Steele was 11

    Both appeared on 188 episodes of the series from 2001 thru 2010; McDonald was 14 when she began, while Steele was 11 

    Beauties: The pair were snapped at a Fan Expo in Toronto in 2018

    Beauties: The pair were snapped at a Fan Expo in Toronto in 2018

    Looking back: McDonald played Emma Nelson, while Steele played Manny Santos on the series

    Looking back: McDonald played Emma Nelson, while Steele played Manny Santos on the series 

    Steele and McDonald said they bonded as result of their shared experiences.

    McDonald said, ‘That’s part of why we formed such a strong connection – we were each other’s number one peers.’

    She added that she was relieved that social media was not as widespread duding her time on the show. Both appeared on 188 episodes of the series from 2001 thru 2010; McDonald was 14 when she began, while Steele was 11.

    ‘As a teenager, you read some of these brutal things that are written and it’s very hard not to let that affect you.’

    Steele said she was grateful for her time on the series.

    ‘The experience of having these friendships and traveling and exposure and just being part of something that’s touched a lot of people’s lives – it’s irreplaceable.’

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