Emma Nelson

Emma Nelson is a Class of 2007 graduate of Degrassi Community School in Toronto, Canada, who also attended Smithdale University along with Manny and Liberty. She is the lead character and main protagonist of Degrassi: The Next Generation, born during season 2 of Degrassi Junior High. She was originally portrayed as an idealist and environmentalist who consistently voices her own opinions. Having originally been known for being responsible and mature, yet uptight, she would later evolve into much more of a three-dimensional character. Emma is the daughter of Christine Nelson and Shane McKay. Her stepfather is Archie Simpson, the principal and former Media Immersions teacher of Degrassi Community School, and her half-brother is Jack Simpson. She is the longtime best friend of Manny Santos. She is also best friends with Liberty Van Zandt and her husband Spinner Mason. She is close friends with and Toby Isaacs and was also close friends with J.T. Yorke (before his death). Additional friends of hers include Darcy Edwards, Chantay Black, Jay Hogart, Holly J. Sinclair, Craig Manning, Peter Stone, her godbrother Connor DeLaurier, and her ex-boyfriend, Sean Cameron. She was enemies with Alex Nuñez. She married Spinner Mason, a former student of Degrassi, in the summer of 2008. She was portrayed by Miriam McDonald in Degrassi: The Next Generation and Degrassi: Next Class, and was portrayed by Ashlee Henricks and Samantha Morrison in Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High.