Linda Schuyler


Linda Schuyler, is an English-born Canadian television producer involved in the creation and production of the Degrassi series and Instant Star series of teen programs.

Early life

The daughter of Jack and Joyce Bawcutt, Schuyler immigrated with her family to Canada at the age of 9 and was raised in Paris, Ontario.

Career

After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto in 1974, Schuyler became a school teacher and taught for four years at Earl Grey Senior Public School in Toronto's east end. As a teacher, Schuyler began creating short films, which eventually became the inspiration for Degrassi.
From 2004 to 2008 Schuyler executive produced the teen drama television series Instant Star about a young woman who wins a singer/songwriter contest. In 2011 and 2012 she executive produced, alongside her husband, Stephen Stohn, the television series The L.A. Complex for Bell Media in Canada and The CW in the United States, about young Canadians dreaming of fame and fortune while struggling to survive in an apartment-style hotel in Los Angeles.

''Degrassi''

In 1976, she and Kit Hood founded Playing With Time Inc., a production company which made short films and educational documentaries, in particular what became the Kids of Degrassi Street series for CBC Television which spawned the Degrassi franchise, one of the longest-running and most successful franchises in TV history. In United States, as been seen on PBS, The N and now, new episodes can be streamed on Netflix.
In the early 1990s, Schuyler and Hood separated and Schuyler founded Epitome Pictures which produced several television series and films including '. Schuyler continues to serve as executive producer on all projects in the Degrassi franchise, including ', as of 2016.

Personal life

In 1995, she married her producing partner Stephen Stohn. They have one son together, Max.

Awards

In 1994, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada.
In 2010, she received the Academy Achievement Award, at a Gemini Award ceremony. In 2011, Schuyler was presented the Bonham Centre Award from The Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies, University of Toronto, for her contributions to the advancement and education of issues around sexual identification.
In 2012, she was made a member of the Order of Ontario.