Total Drama (franchise)

***Total Drama*** is a Canadian animated television franchise created by Jennifer Pertsch and Tom McGillis. The franchise currently consists of four series, *Total Drama*, which began airing on Teletoon on July 8, 2007, *Total Drama Presents: The Ridonculous Race*, a spin-off that began airing on Cartoon Network on January 4, 2016, *Total DramaRama*, a crossover with the *6teen* franchise that began airing back on Teletoon on October 7, 2018, and *Total Drama Island*, a revival of the original series set to air on Boomerang on an unknown date.

## Series overview

### *Total Drama* (2007–08)

***Total Drama*** is a Canadian animated competition series created by Jennifer Pertsch and Tom McGillis. The series follows the host, Chris McLean, chef and occasional co-host, Chef Hatchet, and the various contestants of the series. During the first season introduced twenty-two contestants - Beth, Bridgette, Cody Anderson, Courtney, DJ, Duncan, Eva, Ezekiel, Geoff, Gwen, Harold McGrady, Heather, Izzy, Justin, Katie, Leshawna, Lindsay, Noah, Owen, Sadie, Trent, and Tyler - competing at Camp Wawanakwa in two teams for the chance to win C$100,000. Fourteen (later fifteen) contestants returned for the second season, which switched to a abandoned film lot, featured movie-themed challenges and team names, and increased the prize to C$1,000,000. The third season also featured fifteen returning contestants, this time joined by two (later three) newcomers - Alejandro Burromuerto, Sierra, and Blaineley O'Halloran - as they travel the globe competing in challenges based on each episodes location. The season also featured musical challenges and three teams instead of the normal two.

The fourth season introduced a new cast of thirteen new contestants - Anne Maria, B, Brick McArthur, Cameron Wilkins, Dakota Milton, Dawn, Jo, Lightning Jackson, Mike, Sam, Scott, Staci, and Zoey - returning to Camp Wawanakwa, now contaminated in toxic waste. The number teams were reduced back to two teams, while the season was also shortened to half it's normal length. The first half of the fifth season featured fourteen contestants returning from previous seasons competing in a heroes vs. villains themed all-star season of the now toxic-waste free Wawanakwa. The second half of the season introduced another fourteen contestants - Amy, Beardo, Dave, Ella, Jasmine, Leonard, Max, Rodney, Samey, Scarlett, Shawn, Sky, Sugar, and Topher - competing on Pahkitew Island, with the team names reflecting the island's cree name.

The series consists of five seasons, comprising 117 episodes, 154 shorts, and four specials, and aired on Teletoon from July 8, 2007 to November 20, 2014, with one additional short releasing later on December 23, 2014.

### *Total Drama Presents* (2016)

***Total Drama Presents*** is a Canadian animated competition series created by Jennifer Pertsch and Tom McGillis that follows the host, Don, and various contestants of *The Ridonculous Race*. The first and only season introduced thirty-six contestants - Brody, Carrie, Chet, Crimson, Devin, Dwayne, Ellody, Emma, Ennui, Geoff, Gerry, Jacques, Jay, Jen, Josee, Junior, Kelly, Kitty, Laurie, Leonard, Lorenzo, MacArthur Escobar, Mary, Mickey, Miles, Noah, Owen, Pete, Rock, Ryan, Sanders, Spud, Stephanie, Tammy, Taylor, and Tom - competing in teams of two in a twenty-six leg race around the globe, with the winning team receiving C$1,000,000.

The series consists of one season, comprising 26 episodes, and aired on Cartoon Network from January 4 to February 15, 2016.

### *Total DramaRama* (2018–23)

***Total DramaRama*** is a Canadian animated sitcom created by Jennifer Pertsch and Tom McGillis. It follows the Chef Hatchet's class of twelve (later fourteen) students - Beth, Bridgette, Cody Anderson, Courtney, Duncan, Gwen, Harold McGrady, Izzy Hoppernook, Jude Lizowski, Leshawna, Noah, Owen, Lightning Jackson, and Sugar - at the Happy Tots Daycare Centre. Set in an alternate universe, the series is a crossover with the *6teen* franchise, with Jude originating from *6teen*.

The series consists of three seasons, comprising 78 episodes (152 segments), one short, and one special, and aired on Teletoon from October 7, 2018 to August 14, 2022, with the special episode airing the following year on April 22, 2018.

### *Total Drama Island* (2023–)

***Total Drama Island*** is an upcoming Canadian animated competition series created by Jennifer Pertsch and Tom McGillis, and is a reboot and continuation of the original series. It features the return of Chris McLean and Chef Hatchet as hosts, bring fourteen new contestants - Axel, Bowie, Caleb, Chase, Damien, Emma, Julia, Millie, MK, Nichelle Ladonna, Priya, Raj, Ripper, Scary Girl, Wayne, and Zee - competing on an unnamed island, modeled after the original camp, in two teams for the chance to win C$1,000,000.

The series is set to consist of two seasons, comprising 26 episodes, and is expected to air on Boomerang in 2023.

## References

1. ↑ Terry McGurrin on Twitter, December 9, 2022 - "It's TECHNICALLY being produced as season 1 & 2 of a REBOOT, but we mention years have passed since Chris and Chef welcomed new contestants, so with previous seasons being acknowledged in this reboot fans should think of it as seasons 6 and 7. Sorry for making it complicated."
2. ↑ Terry McGurrin on Twitter, December 14, 2022 - "I know the leaked promo material mentions Wawanakwa but we never mention it in the actual show. That island sunk. Fans can assume whatever they want…"
3. ↑ Alejandro was voiced by Marco Grazzini from "Celebrity Manhunt's Total Drama Action Reunion Show" to "Hawaiian Punch," Keith Oliver uncredited in the post-credit scene of "Hawaiian Punch," and Alex House since "Heroes vs. Villains."
4. ↑ Courtney was voiced by Rochelle Wilson uncredited in "Not So Happy Campers" and Emilie-Claire Barlow since "The Big Sleep."
5. ↑ Gwen was briefly voiced by Megan Fahlenbock in a flashforward in "Tiger Fail."