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Liz O'Rourke was portrayed by Cathy Keenan and Brooke Madigan (as young Liz in Crossed Wires). Although Liz appears as a new character in season 2, Cathy Keenan is an uncredited extra throughout season 1, starting with the first episode, Kiss Me, Steph. She was best friends with Christine Nelson.

Degrassi Junior High[]

Season 2[]

Liz

In Great Expectations, Liz is with her mother registering for school at Degrassi Junior High. She complains to her mom how her old school was a good school and how Degrassi is full of preppy students. Her mom says she understands how hard it is to start a new school, but she promised that she would give Degrassi a chance. At that moment, she sees Joey coming out of the principal's office. Doris introduces him to Liz and asks him to show her to Mr. Raditch's class. Liz chuckles when Joey introduces himself to her. As they're walking, Joey decides to ask Liz out on a date.

The next day, she is walking into school and smiles at Joey. In school, everybody is staring at Liz as she walks down the hallway to the girls' bathroom. In the bathroom, she stares at Stephanie and Spike as she is leaving. She asks Stephanie what is she looking at. Sarcastically, she says she loves Liz's hair and wants to know who does it. Liz retorts that at least she doesn't change clothes in the bathroom to avoid her parents knowing how she dresses at school. After Raditch's class ends, Joey comes up to her and asks if she wants to be partners on their next assignment. Liz accepts and agrees to meet in the research center after lunch.

During lunch, Spike comes up to her and asks if she could sit down with her. Liz tells her it's a free country. Spike asks Liz how does she like Degrassi so far. Liz says that the students are snobby. However, Spike tells her they are okay once Liz gets to know them. Liz asks if she is really pregnant to which Spike says yes. Liz goes on to explain how she will never get pregnant. Spike asks where is Liz from. She tells her that she's from Lyndon and how much she loved it there. She explains how no one judged her for the way she dressed like the students at Degrassi does. She states that she will move back there once she turns 16. Spikes says she bets Liz will like Degrassi by that time, but Liz says she doubts it.

In the research center, Liz is trying to work on their assignment, but Joey keeps flirting with her. The bell rings and Liz asks where should they meet after school to get their work done. Joey says it can't be his house as his grandparents are there. This causes Liz to suggest meeting at her house to work which Joey agrees to. After school, Liz gives Joey her address and they say goodbye. When sees Spike, she asks her for her opinion of Joey. Spike explains how he can be a jerk sometimes but he's alright. Liz tells her she thinks he is funny and nice. She goes on about how she thinks she likes him.

At home, Liz tells her mom how Joey is coming over to work on their project. Her mom says that she doesn't like boys over when she isn't home. Liz tells her that it's okay as Joey is nice. She tells her mom to trust her, especially since it's hard to make friends at Degrassi. Her mom says she's glad Liz is making friends and leaves to go to work. Later on, she welcomes Joey into her home and asks if he wants a soda. While working on their assignment, she says it is dumb and asks if Joey thinks the same. She asks him what is wrong. Joey asks if she wants to have sex which makes her angry. She tells him that she trusted him and thought he was different. She says she hates him and kicks him out.

At school the next day, she glares at Joey as he's telling Wheels' how much he liked her.

In Dinner & a Show, Liz runs into Joey in the hallway. He says hi, but she ignores him. After class is over, Spike is telling her how she can't hang out after school due to helping her mom and having a counseling course. Liz tells her to skip it for once, but Spike says she can't as it helps.

In Fight!, Joey smiles at Liz in class, but she ignores him. When class is over, he asks if they can talk but Liz tells him not to touch her. He tries to apologize for what happened at her house which she disbelieves. He continues to apologize by saying he doesn't think sometimes. He performs a flower trick which earns him a laugh from Liz. He takes notice of it and asks if they're friends again, but Liz tells him he's wrong and walks away.

The next day, Liz and Spike are discussing the upcoming fight between Joey and Dwayne Myers. Spike says Joey doesn't deserve to be beaten up, but Liz says he will be fine. Spike asks if Liz is still mad at him but only earns a shrug from her. The following day, she is watching the fight while cheering Joey on.

In Pass Tense, at her locker, she greets Spike and asks how she is doing. The next day, Liz and others are upset about the rumors of them adding Grade 9 to their school next year, which means they won't be attending high school.

Season 3[]

In Can't Live With 'Em, she is in attendance with her classmates at Wheels' parents' funeral. As they're are leaving, Spike tells Liz how she is scared as she wouldn't know what to do if her mother died. Liz says she wouldn't know what to do either. The next day, while getting lunch, she asks why Spike isn't eating anything. Spike tells her that she's on a diet. She goes on by saying how she feels like a normal person at their school. Liz asks who is watching Emma to which Spike says a friend from prenatal class. Spike continues by saying that due to watching two children at night, she can never go out at night anymore. Liz suggests she hires a babysitter but Spike says she is broke. This prompts Liz to tell her to get a part-time job.

In Season's Greetings, Liz is having lunch with Spike, Lucy, and the twins. She listening to Spike talk about her worries of possibly failing her classes until she is called to the office. Later, she comments on how Spike has been gone for a long time and hopes she is okay. She notices Spike enter the cafeteria with Emma.

In Loves Me, Loves Me Not, Liz is stopped on the stairs by Joey. He asks her to the dance, but she says no. Joey tells to forget about last year as things are different now. He asks for another chance and she reluctantly agrees. At the dance, they greet each other and go off to dance.

In The Whole Truth, Liz is hanging up posters for a protest when Caitlin asks what are they doing to the monkey on the poster. Liz explains how they're testing them for different experiments and kills them when it's over. Before leaving with Spike, she tells Caitlin to come to the protest the following weekend. Later that day, Caitlin is waiting for Liz in the hallway and asks to speak with her. She suggests that Liz should write an article for the Degrassi Digest, but Liz says no. She says she is not into the newspaper business. Caitlin says that the article could get a lot of people to come to the protest. Liz tells Caitlin that she will gather all of the information for Caitlin to write the article. Before leaving, Caitlin tells her the article is due tomorrow. Liz says they should meet after school to work on it.

After school, Spike is teasing Liz about being on the school newspaper. Liz tells her she's not as she is only helping. She goes on by saying she doesn't get involved with preps, but Spike says Caitlin isn't a prep. However, Liz tells her that everybody at the school is a prep. Caitlin greets Liz and they leave to go work on the article. At her house, Liz explains how rabbits are used to test cosmetics just so people can wear makeup. Caitlin asks if they are testing to make sure it's safe for humans. Li says yes but there are other ways. They watch a movie about animal testing which gives Caitlin the idea about doing more than one article. Liz agrees and suggests one on animals that get used to test cosmetics.

Two days later at school, Liz compliments Caitlin on the article. However, Caitlin says she can't go to the protest. Liz asks why not. Caitlin explains how she has epilepsy and her medicine is tested on animals. Liz tells her she doesn't care as she rather be sick than hurt an animal.

In Twenty Bucks, she is talking with Spike until Joey comes up to them. He asks Liz out on a date but she says no. She tells him that she thought they were just friends. The next day, she is talking to Spike who is upset about not being able to go to the concert. She calls Shane a pig and says she wished she had the money to lend Spike. Spike thanks her for her kind suggestion.

The following day, she overhears Luke saying how Shane is going to the concert and informs Spike. She watches as Spike and Shane argue. In school, they are talking about the concert until Melanie stops them and asks Spike if she wants to buy her ticket.

In Taking Off (1), she asks Spike about what time she should come to go to the concert.

In Black & White, Liz and Spike are talking about the latter's money problems. She suggests that Spike gets an after school job. She tells her about a restaurant looking for a part-time bus person. She says it'll help with paying for daycare for Emma. The next day, they are discussing Spike's upcoming job interview. Liz says that she could come with her as a way to ease her nerves. Spike agrees and they walk to class. As they're walking to the restaurant, she wishes Spike good luck on her interview. She waits outside until it's over. When she sees Spike come out upset, she asks what happened. Spike says she didn't get the job because of her hair. Liz gets angry and says she'll come back at night and throw a rock through the window. Spike tells her don't and that she'll just find another job.

In Bye-Bye Junior High, she and Spike walk into the graduation dance together. Spike says she is going to go find Ms. Avery. Liz tells her to tell her how it goes and walks off. Later that night, she is outside with the rest of the school as they watch the school burn down.

Degrassi High[]

Season 1[]

In a New Start, Part 1, Liz is walking to school with Spike and Emma. They greet Heather and Erica before going to go drop Emma off in daycare.

In a New Start, Part 2, she is pushing Emma's stroller while walking along Spike. They say hi to Heather and start talking. Spike comments on how Emma is getting heavy, which causes Liz to tell her to stop complaining. She tells Spike that she is lucky than other girls as her mother is supportive. After finishing talking, they say goodbye to the twins and take Emma to daycare.

Later in class, she disagrees with Lucy's opinion on abortion. She asks what about a baby's rights, but Lucy tells her that it's not a baby. She turns around and asks Spike to tell them as she had a baby. However, Spike tells her that just because she had a baby doesn't mean she knows what is right. As the class continue to argue, Liz comments on how some people are using abortion as some form of birth control. L.D. asks her how can she have so much compassion for something that hasn't been born yet, which angers Liz. After class, she hears L.D. comment on how close minded she is. Liz retorts that at least she isn't pro-abortion. Lucy says they're not pro-abortion but pro-choice. She rolls her eyes and walks off.

In Everybody Wants Something, Liz is at Spike's locker talking. She sees Erica walking in the halls and calls her a murderer. Spike calls her boring as that is all she talks about. Liz asks if she believes in abortion, but Spike tells her that she believes in minding her own business. She says Erica's abortion is her business. Spike sarcastically calls her God about knowing everything. She asks why does abortion bother her so much. Liz explains how her father wanted her mother to get an abortion, but her mother refused to do so. Her father ended up putting her mother in the hospital. She says if she had went back to him she wouldn't be alive. Spike hugs Liz and says she is sorry about her ordeal.

The next day, she is posting a hateful note on Erica's locker which the latter sees. Erica crumbles up the paper and asks if she did the graffiti. She asks how Liz can be so horrible, but Liz says she's the horrible one for having an abortion. Liz continues to call her a murderer which only agers Erica more. Erica says she has no idea what she's been through. They both start to fight until two teachers break it up. As she is getting taken away, she yells that Erica should be ashamed of herself.

In Nobody's Perfect, Liz bumps into Erica as she walks to Spike's locker. They talk about Emma until a guy comes up and talks with Spike. She watches as they conversate until he leaves. Liz asks if she wants to go out with him and what does know about him. Spike tells her that his name is Patrick, he is in grade 11, and likes her shirt. They both laugh and walk to class. Later that day, she asks what did Patrick want with Spike a few moments ago. Spike tells how he asked her out for tomorrow, and she couldn't make up an excuse. Spike says he seems like a nice guy, but Liz reminds her of the last guy who asked only ask her out for possible sex.

In Sixteen, Pt.1 Liz is sitting with Spike and Patrick, the latter is singing a song for Spike. Liz finds the song beautiful and considers Spike lucky for having someone like Patrick. Spike reluctantly agrees with her, which confuses Liz as she looks at her friend. The next day, they are walking to school until Patrick calls Spike's name. Liz says hi, but Spike pulls her into the school building. Liz asks if she is mad at him for something. Spike tells her to mind her own business. Angry, Liz says she thought they were friends and begins to walk off. Spike apologizes and takes her to the side to explain her feelings. Spike says she really likes Patrick, but feels she likes him too much. She wonders what will happen when he leaves. Liz tells her nothing will happen as Patrick likes her. However, Spike isn't convinced as she doesn't find herself all that attractive.

They are walking into school until Patrick calls for Spike. Spike tries to walk off, but Liz stops her. Patrick says they need to talk, but Spike tries to come up with an excuse. Liz stops her again, and leaves as the two talk.

Season 2[]

After Spike breaks up with Patrick, Liz asks her if he can go to Lee's Palace with him, to which she says yes. However, we see that Spike is really not happy with this, as her best friend is dating her ex-boyfriend shortly after she broke up with him. The day after, Spike makes it clear her dissatisfaction with her best friend dating her ex-boyfriend, which prompts Liz to break up with Patrick, and an angry Patrick to try and confront Spike in the library.

Liz&Joey1987GreatExpectations

Joey and Liz

In another Liz featured episode, Tim asks her to go the The Pogues concert and she turns him down. After talking with Spike, who convinces her Tim is a nice guy, she changes her mind and they go out. At the end of the date Tim tries to kiss her and she freaks out, screams, and slams the door in his face. Tim begs her to forgive him and is confused why she cannot. She tells Spike about it and asks for her advice. We find out through flashbacks and a heart to heart with Spike that she was molested as a child by her mother's boyfriend (not her father who was long gone by that time) which is the reason she is terrified of Tim giving her a peck and men in general. She starts to cope with it at the end and Tim and her decide to just be friends. She and Tim share a dance at Degrassi High's final dance, showing that they still have a strong friendship.

Although Liz's character was a new student to Degrassi in Great Expectations, Cathy Keenan can be spotted in earlier episodes including Kiss Me Steph and Revolution as an extra.

Parents[]

Liz's mother was played by Laine Williams. Liz's father was never in her life. However, in flashbacks of abuse she suffered as a child, the mother's boyfriend, who committed the abuse, was played by Les Porter, who is mis-identified in the closing credits as "Liz's Dad".

Degrassi: The Next Generaton (Season 1, 3, 5)[]

3-1-2

Liz delivering baby Jack

LizandSpike

Liz at Spike's male strippers party.

On the Degrassi: The Next Generation Season 1 special features, in a reunion video she says she now works with the developmentally disabled. She also helps her best friend, Spike, give birth to her second child, Jack. When Liz's best friend Spike needs a pick-me-up during her separation from Snake, Liz is there comforting her. She is present along with other Degrassi alumni, when male strippers arrived to cheer Spike up.

Appearances[]

Degrassi Junior High (Season 2)

Degrassi Junior High (Season 3)

Degrassi High (Season 1)

Degrassi High (Season 2)

Degrassi: the Next Generation
Season 1

Season 3

Season 5

Trivia[]

  • Liz, along with seventeen other characters, was sexually assaulted:
    • She was molested by her mother's ex-boyfriend as a young girl.
    • Stephanie was about to be taken advantage of by Damon King in his car.
    • Wheels was almost molested in a car by a random stranger while he was hitchhiking.
    • Both Lucy and Susie were sexually harassed by the same teacher at Degrassi Junior High School.
    • Emma was held captive in a hotel room by a pedophile and almost raped.
    • Paige was raped by Dean at a party.
    • Darcy was raped by a serial rapist who spiked teenage girls' drinks at a party.
    • Jane was molested by her father, Mr. Valieri.
    • K.C. was almost forced to have sex with a prostitute hired by Coach Carson against his will as well as making him watch porn with him.
    • Connor was almost molested in a car by his internet stalker.
    • Bianca was forced into sex with Vince on numerous occasions and was almost raped by her ex-boyfriend Anson.
    • Clare was sexually harassed by her former boss, Asher.
    • Maya was sexually harassed following being cyber bullied and slut shamed online.
    • ZoĆ« was raped by Luke and Neil at a party.
    • Tristan was statutorily raped by Grant Yates.
    • Winston was almost groped by Grant Yates.
    • Alli was almost raped by Owen before being rescued by Drew.
  • She is the second character to have an abusive father, the other four being Rick MunroCraig ManningJane Vaughn, and Miles Hollingsworth III.
  • Liz and Erica had the first female fist fight in the Degrassi Franchise.
  • In A New Start, it was revealed that she was pro-life. In Everybody Wants Something, she says that she is against abortion because when her mother fell pregnant with her, her father demanded that she have an abortion. Her mother didn't want to have an abortion so he beat her until she became unconscious. Her mother never went back to her father, but if she had then Liz wouldn't be alive. In Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, she vandalizes Erica's locker over the later's recent abortion.
  • Unlike her character, actress Cathy Keenan was pro-choice in real life.
  • Liz shares similarities with future characters Emma Nelson and Jane Vaughn.
    • Like Emma, Liz was passionate about animal rights and protesting. She was also pro-life, though Emma was considerably more tolerant of other people's choices.
    • Similar to Jane, Liz had a punk, tomboyish style when she was in high school. Liz and Jane were also both molested as children by fathers or father figures in their lives. Liz was molested by her mother's boyfriend, and Jane was molested by her father.
  • She is one of several students who were born outside of Toronto
  • In a deleted scene from Mother and Child Reunion (2), she is revealed to be working with the mentally disabled.
v - e - d

Degrassi Junior High Main Characters

Alex ā€¢ Alexa ā€¢ Allison ā€¢ Amy ā€¢ Archie ā€¢ Arthur ā€¢ B.L.T. ā€¢ Bartholomew ā€¢ Caitlin ā€¢ Christine ā€¢ Raditch ā€¢ Wheels ā€¢ Erica ā€¢ Heather ā€¢ Joey ā€¢ Karen ā€¢ Kathleen ā€¢ L.D. ā€¢ Liz ā€¢ Lucy ā€¢ Maya ā€¢ Melanie ā€¢ Michelle ā€¢ Rick ā€¢ Scooter ā€¢ Shane ā€¢ Simon ā€¢ Stephanie ā€¢ Susie ā€¢ Voula ā€¢ Yick

v - e - d

Degrassi High Main Characters

Alex ā€¢ Alexa ā€¢ Allison ā€¢ Amy ā€¢ Archie ā€¢ Arthur ā€¢ B.L.T. ā€¢ Bartholomew ā€¢ Bronco ā€¢ Caitlin ā€¢ Christine ā€¢ Claude ā€¢ Diana ā€¢ Dwayne ā€¢ Erica ā€¢ Heather ā€¢ Joey ā€¢ Karen ā€¢ Kathleen ā€¢ L.D. ā€¢ Liz ā€¢ Lucy ā€¢ Maya ā€¢ Melanie ā€¢ Michelle ā€¢ Raditch ā€¢ Scooter ā€¢ Simon ā€¢ Tessa ā€¢ Wheels ā€¢ Yick

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