Gen Z

GEN Z

***Gen Z*** (or sometimes named ***Generation Z***) is an American teen drama television show and is the spin-off of hit drama, *Chelsea High*. The series stars alumni, Mariiana Deras and Alexis Nolen, and stars from *Valerie & the Cringy Wedding!*, *The Valerie Band* and *The House Down Lynn St* such as Valerie Rosa and Camila Rosa. As well with previous students from Chelsea High, such as Rileigh Connors, Luis Ramos and Dhalia Christmas, and introduces new characters. The show revolves around the newly-built Revere High, whereas Chelsea High shuts down and becomes invested with a pool of students entering Revere High with Mariiana and Alexis as new teachers. Of course, like it’s predecessors, the series follows an ensemble cast of students at Revere High School in Revere, Massachusetts who face various challenges often seen as taboo such as sex, teen pregnancy, bullying, date rape, drug abuse, body image, homosexuality, domestic violence, gang violence, self-injury, suicide, abortion, mental disorders, death, and many other issues.

## Premise

Seasons 1-2

After the events of *Chelsea High*, news has been going around that Chelsea High would shut down due to multiple complaints from families that it reportedly was unsafe for kids. It is now Mariiana and Lex’s duty as Teacher Assistants at the newly rebuilt Revere High to show them how they can run a school. Valerie begins her freshmen year by the beach and begins to realize there’s a lot of things her family kept away from her.

## Cast

In Season 1, Mariiana Deras, Alexis Nolen, Rileigh Connors, Dhalia Christmas, Luis Ramos, Kris Zelaya, Jordy Rivera, Victor Bermudez and Nate Nadow all reprised their roles as themselves from *Chelsea High*. The first half of the cast mentioned (excluding Mariiana and Alexis) began their junior year this season. Valerie, Amilia, Luis M., Kevin, Ashley, Elissa all start their freshman year, and Camila, Crystal, Lukah, Ray and Victor R. begin their senior year. Halfway through the season, Alexis Nolen leaves the show, with her absence explained as “couldn’t deal with Mariiana’s bullshit lies and excuses.” completely abandoning her. She is credited for one episode and then doesn’t reappear.

For the second half of Season 1, Shakaya Williams, Jason Calderon, Lily Romero and Biggums Chess join the cast. This is also the graduating season for Camila Rosa, Lukah Powers, Crystal Phan, Ray Johnson and Victor Rodriguez.

## Production

On March 12, 2021, it was announced that Chelsea High the original series would be ending after it’s eighth season on June 13, 2021, with a spin-off ordered to series at Paramount+.  Regarding the news, it was confirmed that Mariiana Deras and her roommate Alexis “Lex” Nolen would return to reprise their roles, with being considering this would be a buddy comedy. It was then after a few days that Valerie Rosa would be casted as the lead-role alongside Mariiana Deras and Alexis Nolen.

On March 25, 2021 the synopsis was revealed:

“In the untitled Chelsea High spin-off, it will leave off from Season 8 and center around Mariiana Deras and Alexis Nolen in their adventures as becoming Teacher Assistants at the newly rebuilt Revere High School. Little do they know this new series will revolve around Valerie Rosa and her adventures in high school starting in her freshmen year. And returning faces from Chelsea High and new faces are set to return in the spin-off. You don’t want to miss it”

The series is set to premiere in September 2021 with a set 12 episode order on Paramount+. It was later revealed that it would premiere on October 8, 2021, with the trailer releasing on September 28, 2021. It was then revealed shortly after that Nuno Network would be airing the episodes after the release of the Paramount+ episodes. Starting in Season 2, Nuno Network aired the episodes while then after Paramount+ releases them shortly after. In March 2022, Nuno Network renewed the series for a second and third season, to premiere in 2022 and 2023. The second season production was ordered four more episodes on April 7, 2022, making the total 14.

Alongside with this, Alexis “Lex” Nolen, the lead co-star alongside Mariiana Deras has announced she would be departing from the series after multiple off-stage fights with the co-star of the latter. Her last episode was during the second half of the first season, “Insert here”.

## Episodes

### Part 1

*Gen Z* begins with Mariiana Deras and Alexis Nolen, new teachers who became best friends and roommates after Mariiana’s strict mom kicks her out of her home. Knowing she would be in a financial struggle, she partners with Chelsea alumni, Alexis “Lex” Nolen, and begins their journey after being accepted as teacher assistants at the newly-built *Revere High* at Revere Beach. Unknowing to their surprise, Chelsea High closes down due to a fire, and it is up to them to help teach and guide the transferred students from Chelsea High, along with the new students at Revere High. Mariiana gets excited when she gets to teach her old friends like Rileigh and Luis, who was on the volleyball team with Mariiana in her Junior year. However, Lex is not fond of this, as she despised the Class of 2023. Beginning her freshmen year at the beach, Valerie Rosa is excited but nervous. She is helped by her best friend of all time and co-singer, Amilia Morales. Alongside them is Luis Merlos, Valerie’s cousin. During their freshmen year, they meet Luis’ ex-girlfriend, Ashley Martinez. Ever since their accident during Church, she was out to get the Rosa and Merlos family. She acts very vicious when seeing them, creating a fight during the first week of school. Amilia gets punished by her religious parents, for believing she started the fight. However, when she explained to them that Ashley started it, they turned that belief down. After this mess, Valerie decided it was best that her and Luis separate ways during the whole year, which he found offensive and later de-friends her.

In the third episode, Mariiana and Lex began having concerns with their living spaces. They later found out they were being manipulated by the owners. Knowing that he would have the knowledge, Mariiana hits up her ex-boyfriend, Juan. Surprised that she hit him up, he explained that Lily wouldn’t like it. This exchange between her and Lily did not end well, with Lily telling her to “Pull up.” Always going to be by her side, Lex comes backs her up. Mariana’s best friends, Chris Mena, and Hanan Unah come to support, with Juan recording everything. After the fight, it was clear Mariiana lost, and the video gets out everywhere including Snapchat. This video did not help with their living or work space, as Mariiana ends up being suspended until further notice.

(More to be added).

Template:Episode table

## Reception

### Ratings

Template:Television season ratings

1. ↑ F2N.Template:Dead link
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Family Channel's new teen block F2N launches January 4 with the premiere of Degrassi: Next... - TORONTO, Nov. 30, 2015.
3. ↑ F2N.Template:Dead link
4. ↑ F2N.Template:Dead link
5. ↑ F2N.Template:Dead link