The Fosters (2013)

About The Fosters

The Fosters, released in 2013, is a compelling, one-hour drama about a multi-ethnic family mix of adopted and biological teen kids being raised by two moms. The series was created by Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige. It tells a story of love, tolerance, diversity, and acceptance that breaks down traditional definitions of family and embraces the extended and blended families many people find themselves a part of today.

Making / Production

The Fosters is an original series of Freeform (previously known as ABC Family). Jennifer Lopez was one of the executive producers through her production company, Nuyorican Productions. The show premiered on June 3, 2013, and ended with its fifth season on June 6, 2018. The series was filmed in Los Angeles and was praised for its portrayal of a non-traditional family.

Actors

• Teri Polo as Stef Foster: A tough yet sensitive police officer who is the biological mother of Brandon and the adoptive mother of twin siblings Jesus and Mariana.
• Sherri Saum as Lena Adams Foster: Stef's wife, vice principal, and subsequent school principal, mother figure to Brandon and adoptive mother to twins Jesus and Mariana.
• David Lambert as Brandon Foster: The eldest Foster child, biological son of Stef and Mike, who is a gifted musician.
• Maia Mitchell as Callie Jacob: A troubled teen with an abusive past who gets adopted into the Foster family.
• Hayden Byerly as Jude Jacob: Callie's younger brother who is also adopted into the Foster family.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The title "The Fosters" is not just about Stef and Lena fostering children, but also their last name is Foster.
• Jennifer Lopez, one of the show's executive producers, said that the idea for the show came from her own childhood growing up with a diverse group of foster siblings.
• The show doesn't shy away from tackling hard-hitting social issues such as sexuality, adoption, identity, and abuse.

Awards

The Fosters has received numerous accolades for its sensitive portrayal of important social issues. It won the Television Academy Honors in 2014 and GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series in both 2014 and 2015.

Quotes

• "It's not where you come from. It's where you belong." - Theme song by Kari Kimmel.
• "We're not perfect. We make mistakes. We screw up but then we forgive and move forward." - Stef Foster.

Music, Soundtrack

• The opening theme song is "Where You Belong" by Kari Kimmel.
• The show featured a mixture of contemporary hits and indie music, with several characters performing songs throughout the series.