Life with Derek is
a Canadian
television
sitcom that aired on Family (English) and
VRAK.TV (French) in Canada and on Disney Channel in the United States
. The series premiered on Family on September
18, 2005 and ran for four seasons ending on March 25, 2009. The
series starred
Ashley Leggat and
Michael Seater as the two oldest
children in a stepfamily.
Premise
A
divorced man named
George
Venturi (
John Ralston) who had
custody of his three children from a
previous marriage:
sons Derek (Michael Seater) and
Edwin (
Daniel
Magder) and
daughter Marti (
Ariel
Waller), marries a divorced
woman named
Nora McDonald (
Joy Tanner), who has two daughters of her own
from a previous marriage:
Casey
(Ashley Leggat) and
Lizzie
(
Jordan Todosey). Up until that
point, Casey was perfectly content with her life.
Growing up as the
oldest child in a household in Toronto
, Ontario
with only
her mother and sister
had suited her well and brought her up as a self-sufficient and
independent young woman.
With the addition of a
stepfather, two
stepbrothers, a
stepsister, new school, new house and overall a
whole new life, Casey struggles to find her place within the new
family. One of the primary points is how Casey must live with
Derek, her stepbrother who has also held a dominant position in his
family, and the
rivalry that emerges as they
try to assert themselves within their new family.
The family
has been revealed in several episodes to live in London, Ontario
. Casey was originally upset about having to
move to London, Ontario from Toronto, a much bigger city ("How I
Met Your Stepbrother"), for many reasons including Derek, but she
eventually got over her own problems and agreed to move there for
Nora and George's sake once she saw how much they cared for each
other.
Cast of characters
The McDonalds
The Venturis
Friends
- Shadia Simmons
as Emily Davis, Casey's best friend and
next door neighbor who had a crush on Derek. She dated Sheldon
Shlepper who moved to Newfoundland
. She and Derek went on a date once, but
decided it wouldn't work out when Derek admits he only asked her
out to bother Casey. However, they began to date again after Derek
realize he did like her and asks her to the prom. She often tries
to help Casey become more popular at school, helps her fit in and
helps her figure out boys along the way. According to Casey, she
has a "lighthearted way of dealing with (Casey's) many problems.
She started dating Derek in the episode "Surprise".
- Arnold Pinnock
as Paul Greebie, Casey's guidance counselor. She constantly goes to
him for advice when she gets stressed; however he usually asks
questions so that Casey can figure out her problem on her own. She
will ask him questions and then immediately answer them
herself.
- Kit Weyman as
Sam Richards, Derek's best
friend and Casey's first crush since she moved in with the
Venturis. After receiving Derek's permission, they begin dating in
"Male Code Blue" which Sam broke. After breaking up
numerous times, they call it quits in "Middle Manic", but
decide to stay friends in "Battle of the Bands" when Casey
becomes the lead singer of Derek's band.
- Lauren Collins
as Kendra, popular girl, friend of Casey's and Derek's ex after
"Misadventures in Babysitting". But she still has a major
crush on Derek, and tries to get back together with him in "Just
Friends".
- Robbie Amell as
Max Miller, the school's quarterback and Casey's boyfriend
beginning in "Misadventures in Babysitting". He dated the
head cheerleader Amy before asking Casey out. They break up in
"Allergy Season". Casey wanted to get back together with
him in "Two Kisses, One Party", but he had already moved
on.
- Shane Kippel as
Ralph Papadapolis, one of Derek's friends and fellow band member.
In season 4, Ralph harbors a crush on Casey. Ralph is not the
brightest kid around.
- William
Greenblatt as Sheldon Schlepper. He dated Emily. He is
currently living in Newfoundland. All of his siblings have once
been class president except him.
- Keir Gilchrist
as Jamie, Lizzie's best friend who harbors a crush on her.
- Kate Todd as Sally,
Derek's co-worker who starts to like him after breaking up with
ex-boyfriend, Patrick. They finally begin to date after Casey and
Nora interfere and set up a plan. Sally and Derek break up after Sally
decides to go to UBC
, a university in Vancouver, date again soon
afterward, then break up for good when Sally actually goes to
Vancouver.
- Joe Dinicol as
Truman French, a new boy in school that Casey has recurring dreams
about. Casey denies her feelings for him, but in the end, finally
agrees to date him. Truman first appeared in "6 1/2". They agree to
go with each other in "No More Games" and they start going out in
"Teddy's Back." They break up in "Trumans Last Chance"
because Truman is seen kissing Vicki by Casey. Casey was upset, but
reunites with Truman at the prom and they reconciled in
"Surprise".
- Alex House as
Trevor, a "punk" boy who goes to Casey's school. Derek bets Casey
she can't get him to ask her out, and Casey takes the bet, soon
developing a crush on him. She loses the bet after telling him
about it due to Derek interfering and making her feel guilty for
lying to him. She then finds out Trevor was only hanging out with
her because he had a crush on Emily, but the two stay friends.
- Adam Butcher as
Noel Covington, an "artistic" boy who Casey befriends when he
auditions for the lead role in a play on a dare, and, surprisingly,
gets it, which leads him to co-star with Casey. He develops a crush
on her. In "Just Friends", Casey begins hanging out with
him to prove to Derek a guy and a girl can be friends, but
backfires when Noel thinks Casey asked him out on a date. He
returns for his role in "Just Friends" one last time
before the end of the series.
- Sarah
Gadon/Paula
Brancati as Vicki, Casey's cousin from Toronto.
Episodes
| Season |
Ep # |
First Airdate |
Last Airdate |
| Season
1 |
13 |
September 18, 2005 |
January 22, 2006 |
| Season
2 |
13 |
July 1, 2006 |
December 15, 2006 |
| Season
3 |
26 |
May 11, 2007 |
July 5, 2008 |
| Season
4 |
20 |
July 19, 2008 |
March 25, 2009 |
The series finale of
Life With Derek
aired in the United States on Canada Day: July 1, 2009. Although
the series is said to be over, there have been rumors of a fifth
season where Casey and Derek must prepare for university, Lizzie
and Edwin must prepare for high school, and Nora and George must
take care of the baby. But, there has been no confirmation
yet.
Upcoming Film
Life with Derek will have an upcoming movie "
Vacation with Derek". It was shot at
Camp Arowhon in Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada. During the airing
of
So You Think You
Can Dance Canada, season 2, host
Leah
Miller announced that season 1 winner,
Nico Archambault, would be in the movie,
meanwhile the movie will be released December, 12, 2010.
Production
Filming Locations
The first season of Life With Derek was taped in Corner Brook,
Newfoundland and Labrador.
Seasons two through four were taped in
Toronto,
Ontario
.
Awards
- Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series for 2009
Gemini Arward : Winner
- Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series for
2009 Gemini Arward for Michael Seater : Winner
Syndication
Life with Derek and another Canadian sitcom,
Naturally, Sadie both added to the
Disney Channel in the United States
in 2005. However in May 2007,
Naturally, Sadie was pulled
from the channel, but
Life with Derek was left on. Though
many episodes were originally broadcast on Family in Canada, Disney
often advertised the episodes as being new episodes (though they
were only first-run broadcasts in the United States). Reruns of the
series continue to air on Disney Channel weeknights at 12:00AM/ET,
but no longer air during the daytime hours. Reruns also continue to
air on Family and
VRAK.TV in Canada.
DVD Releases (United States and Canada)
Season Releases
| Name |
Release Date |
Ep # |
Additional Information |
Bonus Features |
| Season One |
USA /CAN: October 1, 2008 |
1 |
This two disc box set includes all 13 episodes from Season
1. |
- Interviews with Cast and Crew
- Behind-the-Scenes Photo Shoot
- Studio Tours with Derek and Casey
- 8x20 Inch Full-color Locker Poster
|
| Season Two |
USA/CAN: August 11, 2009 |
13 |
This two disc box set includes all 26 episodes from Season
2. |
the complete season 3 will be released on march 9,2010.
Volume Releases
| DVD Title |
Release Date |
Episodes Featured |
Bonus Features |
| Life with Derek: Let the Games Begin! |
US \CAN: February 17, 2009 |
- "The Room"
- "House of Games"
- "Babe Raider"
- "Prank Wars"
|
- "House of Games" Interactive Challenge
- Play as Either Casey or Derek
- 8x20 Inch Full-color Locker Poster
|
Books
A series of
Life With Derek books has been released in the
U.K., however they have not been released in Canada or the United
States.
International release
References
Ref #3.. see 1:30 seconds.
External links
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